West Sussex is a very large county of contrasts. From the sunniest places in England (seaside resorts like Littlehampton and Bognor Regis) to the pretty harbour city of Chichester. Inland there are many affluent leafy villages, heading out to more urban towns like Horsham and Crawley (where many staff live, if they work at nearby Gatwick Airport).
The (chalkland) South Downs National Park
The South Downs is England’s newest National Park (2010), stretching from Hampshire to East Sussex, via the rolling hills and chalklands of West Sussex, offering vital habitats to birds, wildlife and flowers.
Deer are very shy, so you are likely not to see them. But you may catch a glimpse of butterflies in meadows. Or birds overhead, like yellowhammers and skylarks.
The Seaside Resorts of West Sussex
The main coastal resorts get plenty of sunshine and used to be boltholes for rich Londoners (royalty would visit Bognor Regis). But today the clean (albeit pebbly) beaches and cafes serving knickerbocker glories have been replaced by chain stores, fast food restaurants and big-name holiday parks. With some litter clean-ups and help for small shops, these towns have the weather and old buildings to rediscover lost charms for affordable seaside holidays.
Away from the seaside resorts is the the ‘sandy paradise’ of West Wittering, often called ‘the poshes village in Sussex’. A short (bumpy) bus ride from Chichester, it’s home to many celebrities who have escaped London. Local boy Nicholas Lyndhurst went to school here (he’s quite posh, he ‘learned’ the Peckham accent for playing Rodney Trotter as a jobbing actor).
Located at the entrance to Chichester Harbour, the beach is popular for watching wading birds. Nearby Selsey (where astronomer Sir Patrick Moore lived) boasts some of the cleanest waters in England.
A Pretty Harbour City for Sustainable Sailors!
Chichester harbour city is full of listed buildings, with evidence of previous Roman baths. This harbour has unique tidal channels that cross the saltmarsh and mudflats, a city where it pays to be a sustainable sailor! And there are lots of them – 10,000 boaters and 14 sailing clubs.
One popular resident is actress Patricia Routledge, who played Hyacinth in the popular BBC comedy series Keeping Up Appearances. She now helps to raise funds for Chichester Cathedral, where she worships.
The series itself was not that funny, with terrible repeating scripts (the reason why Patricia says she left). But it was mostly due to her incredible comic timing, that the series survived for so long. Older viewers should watch her as Kitty on Victoria Wood’s sketch show – this is good comedy!
Moving on from Betting on Horses
West Sussex is home to Goodwood, one of England’s most popular horse races. Unlike greyhound racing (just 19 courses left in England), racehorses is still very popular, despite equines dying each year on the track. Gambling is also a huge problem nationwide (leading to suicides) in an industry that rakes in over over £13 billion for betting shops (including online bookmakers).
Racehorsing is of course done for profit. And galloping at fast feed (often being whipped) or jumping over steeples, is not natural for animals that in nature, would graze together in fields. In November 2024, three horses died during Cheltenham Race (including the race winner, who collapsed and collapse, soon after crossing the finish line).
League Against Cruel Sports wants races of 4 miles or more (with fences) to be banned (other horses die during training or elective euthanasia). There are calls for a government body to oversee racehorse welfare (instead of self-regulation). One has asked for £12 million of prize money to help sanctuaries like Racehorse Rehoming Centre and Racehorse Rescue.
Controversy Over Castle Pheasant Shoots
This county also houses the grounds of the majestic Arundel castle and its expansive grounds, next door to a hilly high street packed with indie shops, cafes and art galleries. It’s privately owned by the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk. You may have read that the Duke was recently banned from driving, after his lawyer unsuccessfully argued that he had to drive, to ‘organise the coronation of King Charles III’.
If government proposals come to fruition, he and many other peers are set to lose their places in the House of Lords, with an elected second chamber. He and his estate is not popular with animal welfare campaigners, due to breeding pheasants for shooting. And also setting snares that have trapped both wildlife and domestic dogs.
The Guardian reports that in his time sitting in the House of Lords (21 years), he has made no speeches, asked no written questions and only voted 12 times – seven times to protect hunting of innocent animals. Yet as a Roman Catholic, he is the ‘most senior representative’ for his faith at Vatican City. God knows what Saint Francis of Assisi would think?
