West Sussex

West Sussex is centrally located on the coast of central southern England, it's home to more than 750,000 people and covers an area of 768 square miles (1,990 sq Km). over half of West Sussex lies in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We have the beautiful Sussex Downs and the stunning vistas of the High Weald.

In West Sussex there are the popular towns of Horsham, Bognor Regis, Haywards Heath, Chichester and Crawley.

 

Geography

A chalk ridge runs from the county's east to west edge. In the south the land flattens into a gentle plain. The beautiful Sussex Downs and the stunning vistas of the High Weald are areas of outstanding natural beauty. West Sussex has the most woodland cover of broadleaved trees in England. Kingly Vale, the nature reserve just north of Chichester, is the largest Yew forest in the UK.

 

Industry

The West Sussex coast is still a popular resort area; Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, and Worthing are the most popular tourist spots. Chichester Harbour is the largest inland harbour in the United Kingdom and has 55 miles of coastline. West Sussex, with its central position, proximity to London, Gatwick Airport and Europe, and skilled workforce, is attracting many new business keen to take advantage of the close links to Europe.

 

History

Many peoples have settled in West Sussex from the earliest times. The land was largely forested and small communities grew up in isolation from each other. After early Roman invasions, the Saxons moved across Sussex and the Kingdom of the South Saxons gave its name to the area. The Normans built many monasteries and castles across the land. In all ages, the sea was defended from invasion by many forts and castles which still remain.