The Beacon has been home to Hassocks Football Club since 1992. Situated at the foot of the South Downs underneath Jack & Jill Windmills, the Beacon is one of the most picturesque non-league grounds in Sussex and has undergone extensive development to provide facilities and a playing surface to match the scenery.
The Robins previously played at Adastra Park, a local recreation ground in the middle of the village. With ambitions to climb into senior football and beyond, Hassocks needed their own purpose-built home ground to match the progress on-the-pitch when the club won promotion into the Southern Combination League in 1982.
It took many years of hard work from members to firstly acquire the land and then turn it into a football ground. 30 years on and it has all been worth it with the Beacon now hosting over 100 games a season.
As well as being used for all Hassocks first team, Under 23s, Under 18s, Ladies and Veterans matches, it is regularly chosen to hold Southern Combination Cup finals, Brighton & Hove Schools Finals and Mid Sussex Representative games.
Significant investment goes into the pitch and drainage to keep the playing surface pristine despite its heavy use. The Robins are constantly improving the facilities for players and supporters too.
In 1995, floodlights were installed thanks to fund raising and the generosity of the late Matthew Harding, Vice-Chairman of Chelsea FC and a resident of nearby Ditchling.
Further improvements were added with the erection of a 237 seat covered stand, named after life president Maurice Boxall, in 2002 as part of the clubs centenary celebrations.
This was part-funded through the Robins record-breaking run to the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round the previous year.
Steve Coppell brought a Brighton & Hove Albion XI to the Beacon to open the stand in what was his first game in charge after succeeding Martin Hinshelwood as Seagulls manager.
In 2007, an impressive new Clubhouse opened on the North Side of the ground. It not only provides facilities for the footballers but is also a fine venue for hosting social events.
Inside the Clubhouse is the T Bar serving hot food and drink and the Robins Bar which is well stocked with craft beers from local breweries, including Bedlam Brewery and Silver Rocket.
If you are interested in hiring the Beacon clubhouse for a party or social event, please contact our bar manager Owen John via e-mail at hassocksfc@outlook.com.
Plans are afoot to develop the facilities further. The South Field behind the stand has been levelled and is set to become a training pitch in the near-future which will primarily benefit the clubs junior section as well as the local community.
Entrance to the Beacon for a first team match day costs £8 for adults and £4 for seniors. Children under the age of 16 go free. Match day programmes are available at £1 and a strip of raffle tickets cost the same price.
How to find us
From the North: Leave the A23 at the junction for Burgess Hill/Hickstead Service Area. Join the A2300 heading towards Burgess Hill, crossing the first roundabout before taking the fourth exit at the second. Follow Jane Murray Way around three further roundabouts, before taking the third exit at the fourth, joining the A273 London Road. Follow this road through Hassocks, crossing the Stone Pound Cross Road traffic lights, and the Beacon is on your left immediately after the garden centre
From the South: Leave the A23 at the Pyecombe junction, joining the A273. Follow the road up Clayton Hill, passing the Jack and Jill pub on your left. After following the road through a small wooded area, the Beacon is on your immediate right. If you reach the garden centre, you have gone too far
From the East: Follow the A272 bypass around Haywards Heath, passing over roundabouts until you reach the main entrance to Bolnore Village. At this roundabout, take the first exit onto the A273 towards Burgess Hill. From here, just follow London Road straight through Burgess Hill and onto Hassocks. Cross the Stone Pound Cross Road traffic lights, and the Beacon is on your left immediately after the garden centre.
By Train: Hassocks station is situated on the main London-Brighton line. A regular service is provided by both Southern and Thameslink. The Beacon itself is a ten minute walk. Upon leaving the station’s ticket hall, turn right and follow the road until you come to the Stone Pound Crossroads. Here, go left and follow the road past the garden centre. The Beacon is immediately on your left.