Moving to Pulborough in 2026? A Practical Guide to Living in Pulborough
Thinking About Moving to Pulborough?
Pulborough is a large village in West Sussex, within the Horsham District and close to the South Downs National Park. Unlike nearby Storrington, Pulborough has its own railway station, which makes it a practical option if you want village life but still need regular rail connections towards Horsham, Gatwick Airport or London.
The village has local shops, cafés, pubs and everyday services, while the surrounding area gives you plenty of access to countryside and walking routes. Pulborough is mainly within the RH20 postcode area, which also covers several neighbouring villages and rural locations.
Its combination of countryside and rail connections can make Pulborough worth considering for commuters and families, but there are still practical things to look at before deciding to move here - including house prices, rent, schools, transport, safety and the differences between individual parts of RH20.
Is Pulborough a Good Place to Live?
Pulborough can be a good choice if you want village life without giving up rail connections. It has its own station with direct services towards London, while Horsham, Gatwick Airport and the south coast are also accessible by train.
The village has local shops, places to eat and everyday services, with plenty of countryside nearby. Pulborough Brooks and the River Arun are also close to the village, and the South Downs National Park begins just to the south.
There are some downsides to consider. Pulborough is quite spread out, so living near the station, Lower Street or further north can make a noticeable difference to how easy it is to get around without a car. Traffic on the A29 has also been identified locally as an issue, particularly around Sopers Hill, Church Hill and Swan Corner.
Pros: its own railway station, direct trains towards London, easy access to the countryside and useful everyday services within the village.
Cons: some parts of Pulborough are easier to get around by car, the village is quite spread out, and traffic around the A29 can be a downside depending on where you live.
Where Is Pulborough?
Pulborough is in West Sussex, on the western side of Horsham District and just north of the South Downs National Park. The village sits close to the River Arun and River Rother and is around 14 miles from the south coast.
Two main roads meet in Pulborough. The A29 runs north towards Billingshurst, while the A283 connects the village with Storrington to the east and Fittleworth to the west.
Pulborough is mainly associated with the RH20 postcode, but just like Storrington, RH20 covers a much wider area than the village itself. When looking at properties, it's worth checking the full postcode and exact location rather than relying on RH20 alone.
The village is quite spread out and includes areas such as Codmore Hill, Marehill and North Heath, so where you live can make a difference to how close you are to the station, shops and other everyday services.
Transport & Commuting
One of Pulborough's biggest advantages is that it has its own railway station, which makes commuting easier than from many of the surrounding villages.
Pulborough is on the Arun Valley Line, with Southern services running north towards Horsham, Gatwick Airport and London Victoria, and south towards places including Arundel, Chichester and the coast.
If you drive to the station, there is a car park with 159 spaces, as well as bicycle storage. One thing worth knowing is that the station is not fully step-free: step-free access is available to the southbound platform, but the London-bound platform requires stairs.
There are also local bus services, but routes and frequency vary, so if you plan to rely on buses for work or school, check the timetable for your exact address before moving. West Sussex County Council provides current journey and timetable information.
For drivers, the A29 and A283 are the main roads through the area, giving access towards Billingshurst, Horsham, Storrington and other parts of West Sussex.
💙 Movly Tip: If commuting is important to you, check the distance from the property to Pulborough station. The village is quite spread out, so two Pulborough addresses can give you very different daily journeys.
House Prices in Pulborough
Pulborough isn't one of the cheapest places to buy in West Sussex, and prices can vary quite a lot depending on the type of property.
Over the last year, properties in Pulborough sold for an average of around £666,000. Detached homes averaged around £848,000, semi-detached properties around £444,000, while terraced homes sold for around £380,000. (Rightmove, 2026)
For comparison, the average house price across the wider Horsham District was £437,000 in June 2026. First-time buyers paid an average of £321,000, while home movers paid around £551,000. (ONS, 2026)
One thing to be careful with is the postcode. The wider RH20 area averaged around £577,000 over the last year, but RH20 covers Pulborough as well as Storrington and several other villages and rural areas. That means the RH20 average shouldn't be treated as the average price for Pulborough itself.
Prices also vary depending on the exact location and property type, so it's worth comparing recent sold prices rather than relying only on the asking price.
Renting in Pulborough
The rental market in Pulborough is relatively small, so there may be fewer properties available at any one time than in larger towns such as Horsham. Current listings can change quickly, which makes it worth checking what's actually available when you're planning your move.
Across the wider Horsham District, the average private rent was £1,465 per month in July 2026, up 3.5% from £1,416 a year earlier. (ONS, 2026)
Average monthly rents were:
1 bedroom: £1,017
2 bedrooms: £1,344
3 bedrooms: £1,689
4+ bedrooms: £2,415
These figures cover the whole Horsham District, not Pulborough specifically, so use them as a guide rather than an exact picture of what you'll pay in the village.
Because Pulborough has its own railway station, it's also worth comparing the location of the property as well as the rent. If you'll be commuting regularly, paying a little more to live within walking distance of the station could make everyday life easier.
Popular Areas in Pulborough
Pulborough is quite spread out, so choosing where to live is less about traditional neighbourhoods and more about how close you want to be to the station, village centre or surrounding countryside.
Around the village centre and Lower Street
This is one of the more practical parts of Pulborough if you want shops, cafés and everyday services within easier reach. The railway station is also nearby, which can be useful if you commute regularly.
Codmore Hill
Codmore Hill sits to the north of the village centre, with a mix of residential streets and access towards the A29. If you're considering this area, check the exact walking or driving distance to the station rather than assuming everything in Pulborough is close by.
Marehill and the eastern side of Pulborough
Marehill is further from the station and has a more residential and semi-rural feel. It can work well if being closer to the countryside matters more to you than being able to walk to the train.
North Heath
North Heath lies further north towards Billingshurst and includes more rural properties. You'll generally be more dependent on a car here, so it's worth checking distances to schools, shops and transport before choosing a property.
Pulborough also includes smaller roads and rural properties outside these main areas, and the wider RH20 postcode stretches well beyond the village itself. Always check the full address when comparing homes rather than relying on “Pulborough” or RH20 in the property listing alone.
Pulborough Postcodes
Pulborough is mainly associated with the RH20 postcode area, but RH20 covers much more than Pulborough itself. It also includes places such as Storrington, West Chiltington, Ashington, Washington and several smaller villages and rural areas.
Within Pulborough, you'll mainly see RH20 1 and RH20 2 addresses. RH20 1 covers much of Pulborough itself, including areas around the village centre and station, while RH20 2 extends into surrounding areas and villages.
This is worth remembering when you're searching for a property. A home advertised as being in RH20 could actually be several miles from Pulborough and give you a completely different journey to the station, schools or shops.
Always check the full postcode and exact location before arranging a viewing, especially if being close to Pulborough station is one of the reasons you're considering the area.
Moving to Pulborough with Children
Pulborough can work well for families, especially if you want more access to the countryside while still having schools, shops and transport nearby.
The village has a primary school, playgrounds, sports facilities and a library, as well as plenty of outdoor space. Pulborough Brooks and the surrounding countryside also give families easy options for walks and days outdoors.
For older children, secondary school will usually mean travelling outside Pulborough. Depending on your address and admissions criteria, schools in places such as Billingshurst or Storrington may be options, so school transport and catchment areas are worth checking before choosing a property.
If you need nursery or wraparound care, check availability early too. Pulborough covers a fairly spread-out area, so being within the village doesn't necessarily mean that a school, nursery or childcare setting will be within easy walking distance.
As always, don't choose a home based on the postcode alone - check the exact address against current West Sussex school admissions information before you move.
Schools in Pulborough
If schools are important to your move, start by checking the exact address and current admissions criteria before choosing a property.
St Mary’s Church of England Primary School is the main primary school in Pulborough, located on Link Lane. It teaches children aged 4–11 and was rated Good at its latest Ofsted inspection in September 2022.
For secondary education, children generally need to travel outside Pulborough. Which school is an option will depend on your address, admissions criteria and available places, so it's worth checking this before you move rather than assuming that an RH20 postcode will put you within a particular school area.
There are also other primary schools in the surrounding villages, but again, distance and admissions can vary quite a lot across RH20.
Before applying, always check the latest West Sussex school admissions information and Ofsted reports, as admission arrangements and school information can change.
Is Pulborough a Safe Place to Live?
Pulborough is part of Horsham District, which has a relatively low crime rate compared with the wider Sussex Police area.
In the year ending March 2026, Horsham recorded around 47 crimes per 1,000 people, compared with around 76 per 1,000 across the Sussex Police area. (Police.uk / ONS, 2026)
Pulborough is covered by the Billingshurst, Shipley, Pulborough and Coldwaltham local policing area. Police.uk provides more recent monthly crime data for this area, but because it covers several places rather than Pulborough alone, it shouldn't be treated as a crime rate for the village itself.
Crime can also vary depending on the exact street. If you're considering a particular property, check the latest Police.uk crime map for that address rather than relying only on district averages.
Local Life & Amenities
Pulborough has enough everyday services for day-to-day life, but it doesn't have one large, traditional village centre. Lower Street is one of the main areas for shops and services, while other facilities are spread across different parts of the village. Pulborough's own Neighbourhood Plan actually identifies this spread-out layout as one of the things that can make getting around on foot less convenient.
There is a supermarket, independent shops and local places to eat, as well as Pulborough Library just off Lower Street. The village also has a Village Hall and a number of local clubs, groups and community activities.
For families, the Parish Council maintains a main recreation field, playground and multi-sports facility, as well as other smaller recreation areas around Pulborough.
For a wider choice of shopping, restaurants and entertainment, you'll generally need to travel to a larger town. This is worth keeping in mind if you're used to having everything within walking distance.
Pulborough does have an active local community, with regular groups and events taking place through the library, Village Hall and other local organisations.
Healthcare in Pulborough
Pulborough has its own GP surgery, Pulborough Medical Group, based at Pulborough Primary Care Centre on Spiro Close. There is also a pharmacy at the same location, which makes everyday healthcare relatively easy to access within the village.
For hospital care and emergencies, you'll need to travel outside Pulborough, as there is no hospital or A&E department in the village.
If you're moving to Pulborough, check which GP practice covers your new address and register after you move. For urgent medical help when your GP is closed, NHS 111 can direct you to the most appropriate service.
Jobs & Working in Pulborough
Pulborough has local jobs in retail, hospitality, healthcare, education and small businesses, but many residents travel outside the village for work. Pulborough's own Neighbourhood Plan identifies the relatively small number of local businesses and outward commuting as issues for the local economy.
There are some local employment areas, including Station Approach, which is recognised by Horsham District Council as a key employment area. There are also smaller businesses and commercial sites around the village.
For a wider range of jobs, Horsham, Crawley and Gatwick are important employment areas. Pulborough's railway station also makes commuting more practical, with direct connections towards Horsham, Gatwick Airport and London.
If you work from home, check the broadband speed and mobile coverage at the exact property before moving, particularly if you're looking at one of the more rural parts of Pulborough.
Green Spaces & Outdoors
One of Pulborough’s biggest advantages is the amount of countryside around it. The village sits close to the South Downs National Park, but there are also several green spaces much closer to home.
RSPB Pulborough Brooks is one of the best-known. The nature reserve sits beside the River Arun and has walking trails, viewpoints and a visitor centre, with wetlands, woodland and wildlife throughout the year.
Closer to the village, there are local spaces including Rivermead Nature Reserve, Marehill Common and Pulborough Recreation Ground, giving you options for everyday walks and outdoor time without needing to drive into the South Downs.
There are also public footpaths around Pulborough and along the surrounding countryside, with routes towards the River Arun and nearby villages.
If being able to get outdoors easily is important to you, Pulborough gives you a good mix of local green space and larger countryside areas without having to travel far.
Cost of Living in Pulborough
Your biggest costs in Pulborough are likely to be housing, Council Tax and transport.
As we've already seen, buying or renting in the area can be expensive. Transport is another cost to think about. Having a railway station in the village can make commuting easier, but if you live further from the station or regularly drive to work, you'll still need to include fuel, parking and train fares in your monthly budget.
For 2026/27, Council Tax in Pulborough includes charges from West Sussex County Council, Horsham District Council, Sussex Police and Pulborough Parish Council. The exact amount you pay depends on the Council Tax band of your property, so it's worth checking this before you move. Horsham District Council publishes the current bands and charges for each parish.
Everyday shopping is available within Pulborough, but you may still travel to larger towns for a wider choice of shops and services.
Before moving, check the Council Tax band, energy costs, broadband options and your likely commuting expenses for the exact property. These can make quite a difference to your monthly budget.
Your Moving to Pulborough Checklist
Before moving to Pulborough:
Check recent sold prices or current rents for the exact area you're considering.
Check the full RH20 postcode - RH20 covers much more than Pulborough itself.
Work out how far the property is from Pulborough railway station, especially if you'll be commuting regularly.
Check local bus routes if you won't be relying on a car.
Check school admissions and catchment areas if you're moving with children.
Look at recent crime data for your specific area.
Check the property's Council Tax band.
Compare broadband and utility options for the new address.
Register with a local GP and dentist after moving.
Arrange your address changes and Royal Mail redirection.
Plan your packing and moving-day essentials in advance.
With Movly, you can keep your personalised 8-week moving timeline, address changes, utilities, broadband, local information and packing in one place - so you're not trying to remember everything yourself.
How Movly Can Help
Moving involves a lot more than packing boxes. Movly keeps the different parts of your move together in one app, so you don't have to manage everything across notes, emails and separate checklists.
With Movly, you can:
Follow a personalised 8-week moving timeline.
Share your checklist with your partner and manage tasks together.
Use Local Insights to learn more about your new area.
Compare different areas using Area Guides.
Compare broadband and utilities for your new home.
Keep important dates organised with your calendar and reminders.
Use Smart Box to scan your boxes and find packed items later.
Keep track of unpacking once you've moved in.
If you're moving to Pulborough, you can use Movly to organise the move itself while keeping useful information about your new area in one place.
Try Movly. One app. Less stress.
Final Thoughts
Pulborough could be a good fit if you want village life and access to the countryside without giving up a railway station.
Having direct trains towards Horsham, Gatwick Airport and London is a big advantage, especially compared with some of the surrounding villages. You also have everyday services within Pulborough and plenty of green space nearby.
The main thing to think about is where in Pulborough you choose to live. The village is quite spread out, so distance to the station, shops and schools can make a noticeable difference to everyday life. House prices and the exact location within RH20 are also worth checking carefully.
If those practical details work for you, Pulborough gives you a quieter setting while still keeping useful transport connections within reach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Pulborough
Is Pulborough a good place to live?
Pulborough can be a good choice if you want village life, access to the countryside and useful rail connections. It has its own railway station, everyday services and plenty of green space nearby.
Is Pulborough expensive?
Over the last year, homes in Pulborough sold for an average of around £666,000, although prices vary considerably depending on the type and location of the property. (Rightmove, 2026)
Does Pulborough have a train station?
Yes. Pulborough railway station has services towards Horsham, Gatwick Airport and London, as well as destinations towards the south coast.
Is Pulborough safe?
Pulborough is within Horsham District, which recorded around 47 crimes per 1,000 people in the year ending March 2026, compared with around 76 across the Sussex Police area. These are district-level figures, so check Police.uk for recent crime information around the exact property you're considering.
What postcode is Pulborough?
Pulborough is within the RH20 postcode area, with many addresses in RH20 1 and RH20 2. RH20 also covers several surrounding villages and rural areas, so always check the full postcode.
Is Pulborough good for families?
It can be. Pulborough has a primary school, playgrounds, local facilities and plenty of access to the countryside. Families with older children should check secondary school admissions and transport, as secondary education will usually involve travelling outside the village.
Can you commute from Pulborough to London?
Yes. Pulborough has direct rail services towards London Victoria, which makes it more practical for train commuters than many nearby villages. Journey times and service patterns vary, so check the current timetable if commuting will be part of your daily routine.
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