Historic Towns and Villages in West Sussex

A small village at the foot of the South Downs, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Perhaps the most famous visitor to Amberley was Charles II, who stayed at the castle here once. The village is built along its original medieval street pattern, with winding lanes now lined primarily with 16th and 17th-century houses.
Amberley, West Sussex, England

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The lovely West Sussex village of Arundel packs an awful lot into a small space. First and foremost there is Arundel Castle, the home of the Duke of Norfolk. The imposing castle is primarily 19th century, but is built around the remains of an authentic 12th-century castle, of which the keep still stands.
Arundel, West Sussex, England

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Billingshurst is a small town boasting many attractive older buildings. It is laid out along the line of the old Roman road known as Stane Street, which linked London to Chichester. The Roman link is recalled today in the town crest, which incorporates a Roman legionnaire.
Billingshurst, West Sussex, England

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If you want sunshine, head for Bognor Regis. While no one can guarantee that the weather will be fine, Bognor Regis is the place with the most sunshine in England. Bognor owes its history as a popular spa town to Sir Richard Hotham, who tried at Bognor to emulate the success of Brighton as a watering place for high society.
Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England

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Bosham is a delightful village situated on an arm of Chichester Harbour. Bosham has a long history; it is thought that it was one of the first sites in Sussex where St Wilfrid preached, around the year AD 681.
Bosham, West Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: 11th-century Holy Trinity church

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Boxgrove is an attractive little village near Chichester, most notable for the remains of Boxgrove Priory, a 12th-century abbey founded as a daughter house of Lessay Abbey in France. Though the abbey was disbanded by Henry VIII, the abbey church survives as the parish church of St Mary and St Blaise.
Boxgrove, West Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century ruins of Boxgrove Priory

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A classic downland village, Bramber boasts the remains of a Norman motte and bailey castle built in 1070 by the powerful de Braose family. Today only the gatehouse survives to any great extent. The village was once a busy seaport on the River Adur, but the silting of the estuary left Bramber well inland.
Bramber, West Sussex, England

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The historic city of Chichester is one of the real highlights of any visit to West Sussex. The city was founded by the Romans at a point where two of their major roads crossed - a point marked by the lovely 16th-century buttercross. The prize of Chichester is its superb medieval cathedral, the only English cathedral visible from the sea.
Chichester, West Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: Historic Chichester Cathedral

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A small downland village, Clayton lies astride an old Roman road. The little Saxon church of St John the Baptist boasts some very early wall paintings, which are probably the work of monks from St Pancras Priory at Lewes. The paintings have been variously dated from 1080 to 1140, making them some of the earliest surviving examples in England.
Clayton, West Sussex, England

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Compton is a small hamlet in the West Sussex downland, at the foot of Telegraph Hill. Nearby is the long barrow known as Bevis' Thumb. The village is very ancient and was mentioned in the will of Alfred the Great.
Compton, West Sussex, England

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