Newick vs Hurstpierpoint

[Gazingoutthewindow]

I have a young family (husband and 8 month old) and we’re looking to move to either Newick or Hurstpierpoint. I’d be grateful for any votes in either direction!

I have an impression than Hurstpierpoint is slightly nicer, but not sure by how much/whether it would be in any significant ways. And both might well have their own respective advantages…

…Please help push us in a direction?!

Don't know hurstpierpoint. Newick is nice but no facilities and rubbish transport links. What made you narrow it down to these two places?

Both have outstanding primary schools as the big draw card.

And both will be a short drive to the closest train station. For Newick we’ll need to drive in to Hayward’s Heath which had a great service in to London, although I am nervous the drive in could be quite congested (ditto Hurstpierpoint for Hassocks for that matter).

Hurstpierpoint into Hassocks is a much shorter drive than Newick to HH and less likely to have as much traffic as HH is a much bigger town than Hassocks. Hurstpierpoint is probably nicer than Newick. Neither are particularly exciting but it's closer to Brighton and there really isn't much at all in Newick. I would have thought Newick is cheaper though.

Sorry, thought of some more things. The commute from HH to London is a bit shorter than from Hassocks though and there are more regular trains and some fast services.

Hurstpierpoint has a high street which I don't think Newick really does. It used to have a couple of nice pubs and Indian restaurant though! Haven't been there for a while so don't know if they are still around.

Bear in mind the the "outstanding" inspections are over 10 years old. Also v different schools - hurstpierpoint is 3 times the size of newick.

@sorryiasked do you know the schools and how they compare? I’d love any other insight… I know we’re going on a fairly blunt instrument with the ofstead ratings.

@lavenderlou Hurstpierpoint seems to have at least a bit more going on, but I am nervous of it being too quiet/finding ourselves driving around Sussex to do things the whole time. Are there other spots that would be better in your view? We also considered Lindfield which seems great but quite expensive for what you get, and HH is quite blah.

Only hearsay - try posting on the village FB pages for opinions.
What are your other criteria, and budget/ wishlist?

I work in Hurstoierpoint but absolutely couldn't live there. It's so just quiet and there's really nothing there - unless there's some secret that all the locals know!

@sorryiasked it would be so helpful if you could share anything you’ve heard. Obviously we’d look into things further, but it’s exactly this sort of mumsnet wisdom that I’m hoping for!

@plixy another vote for too quiet… could I ask what sort of area you live in? We considered Brighton too but it can feel so congested. And could you comment on what you think of Hurstpierpoint & it’s inhabitants - is it friendly/ interesting/ parochial/ etc?

I used to live in HH and my parents are still there. It's kind of nondescript but has good transport links and is a good base for the surrounding countryside. The schools are largely good as I understand. Lindfield is nice - I considered moving there myself but eventually settled in a different area. The high street is a bit twee but it's very easy to get to HH station.

Also, I like Cuckfield (the other side of HH) but it's a bit further from the station. Marginally cheaper than Lindfield I think.

I don’t think I could bear to continually have to say/write Hurstpierpoint all the time. It’s a bit of a mouthful. But I don’t know either place and don’t really have anything useful to add

Have you actually visited the schools OP? Ofsted ‘outstanding’ isn’t necessarily all it’s cracked up to be!

Newick doesn’t have much going on. Drive to HH should be fine but there can be issues getting a spot at the car park if you don’t get there early enough (at least, that was the case before Covid).

How about Hassocks itself? Has a reputation for good primary and secondaries.

[quote Gazingoutthewindow]@sorryiasked it would be so helpful if you could share anything you’ve heard. Obviously we’d look into things further, but it’s exactly this sort of mumsnet wisdom that I’m hoping for!

@plixy another vote for too quiet… could I ask what sort of area you live in? We considered Brighton too but it can feel so congested. And could you comment on what you think of Hurstpierpoint & it’s inhabitants - is it friendly/ interesting/ parochial/ etc?[/quote]
I live in Southwick - on the coast about 15-20 mins from Hurstpierpoint. It's not exactly a hive of activity but it is very close to Brighton and Worthing. And has direct neighbouring towns, so there's plenty around. But I have the sea to the south and The Downs to the north which I love. The train would be a longer trip if you lived that side of the downs but it does have direct link to London. I agree that Brighton is too much, I prefer a bit of space. But Hurst is just a bit nothing - no direct neighbouring towns you can walk to, everywhere would be a drive. I think it would be nice to retire to maybe but I wouldn't do it with kids or while I still want to go and do things.
Hurstpierpoint locals seem lovely but I only really see those working on the highstreet - I say that loosely as it really only has a handful of shops, and since Covid a lot are empty. Fantastic butchers which I often shop in, but you wouldn't really go to the shops for anything other than food.
Other than that there's a drs, library and a couple of parks. I think there's a theatre group as I often see posters around town. I don't know of much else. It's great for dog walks though. Lovely area for visiting.
It's one of the those lovely little villages you drive through and think this looks nice.

@plixy thank you, this is all incredibly helpful. And I’ll have a look at Southwick!

Have a look at Steyning. Cute like Hurst but lots more going on, definitely more interesting than Hassocks and good schools. No train though so a bit more of a drive to a station.

Newick is tiny! Hurst has a lot more to offer. Neither are exactly exciting though

Agree steyning is nice and I would say check out Henfield too but neither are near stations

Thanks @wineymummy and @plixy I had a look at Steyning and Henfield. They look fantastic, but I think the commute would end up being longer than we would like.

We aren’t married to villages, however, if any towns might be a better lifestyle - as long as schools are good, really.

Check the Wealden local plan for their development plans in those areas.....there is a HUGE amount of house building planned. So you may think you are moving somewhere with a nice rural outlook but which gets 80 houses on it in a heartbeat.....

Thanks @Panicmode1 that’s a really good call! I’m aware of loads going on around Horsham and throughout Sussex so will have a look at the plan as you suggest.

I live in Hurst and moved last year with a young family. I did so because it was on the Downs, easy access to Hassocks train station, 20 min to beaches and great community. Cant speak for the school as we haven't got that far, but it's highly regarded locally with great facilities and the local comp is the same. There are always events but very 'villagey' e.g live music at local pub, fairs on the village green, village cinema, sunday market once a fortnight. The pubs and wine bar are nice and the kids activities brill so far incl scouts, guides, gymnastics, tennis club etc. We take the kids apple, pear, plum picking etc in Summer to make pies etc. I love it!

Where in London do you ultimately need to commute to Op? And how often do you need to go?