Haywards Heath is a remarkable place with an intriguing history. Misguidedly characterised as ‘large and quite amorphous’, detailed inspection actually reveals a dynamic settlement that spread like a patchwork quilt in a distinctive pattern of development. It was coming of the the railway, bringing with it the county asylum and one of the country’s largest cattle markets, which was the making of Haywards Heath. There is far more to the district than that, however. The town’s standing buildings and the local place names hint in places at much earlier history: a deadly battle of the Civil War in 1642, two thriving medieval manors, and even travellers and traders on a Roman road.

In this book local author Colin Manton takes the reader on an enlightening and entertaining journey through the town’s illustrious past, delving beneath the surface to reveal dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts and amusing stories. Secret Haywards Heath lifts the lid on the hidden secrets that even most local people don’t know.