Originally a small rural town with a population of just 200, Haywards Heath entered a new era of prosperity after the arrival of the London to Brighton in 1841. New residents and businesses flocked to the town, ad by 1860 the population had soared to 1,000. Today, it's just shy of 30,000.
Combined with its near neighbour Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath is considered the economic lynchpin of mid-Sussex, providing jobs for local workers as well as fast transport links to London. The Orchards Shopping Centre offers a wide range of big-name shops, and St Wilfrid's Parish Church, with its fine tower reaching above the skyline, is the perfect local landmark to keep a look out for as the train rolls into town. The beautiful Borde Hill Garden, a must-visit for horticulture and botany enthusiasts, is 1.5 miles north of the station, and lies on the fringe of the High Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.