Sussex, maritime county in SE. of England, bounded N. and NE. by Surrey and Kent, SE. and S. by the English Channel, and W. and NW. by Hants; greatest length, N. and S., 27 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 76 miles; area, 933,269 acres, population 490,505. The county is traversed by the South Downs. The rivers are not important; they are the Arun, Adur, Ouse, and Rother, all flowing S. to the English Channel. The principal means of communication are the railways; these belong chiefly to the London, Brighton, and South Coast system. The most fertile soil is the low land along the coast, which yields heavy crops of grain and hay; the South Downs are chiefly pastoral, and support a well-known breed of sheep to which they give name. Ironstone is abundant, and so long as wood only was used for smelting the co. was one of the chief seats of the British iron trade. ‘Sussex marble’, a kind of limestone containing fresh-water shells, is worked near Petworth. The manufactures include woollens, paper, gunpowder, bricks and tiles, &c., but are not extensive. The seaports are now small and comparatively unimportant, but the mildness of the climate along the sea coast has led to the growth of numerous watering and bathing places and health resorts, including Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Worthing, Seaford, Littlehampton, and Bognor. Sussex was the scene of much of the early history of the country, and is rich in archaeological remains. It is almost entirely in the diocese of Chichester.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)[The above description refers to East and West Sussex combined.]
Amberley Working Museum
Houghton Bridge, Amberley
Arundel BN18 9LT
01798 831370
www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
Amberley is a thirty-six acre open air museum set in the midst of the beautiful South Downs in West Sussex. Dedicated to the industrial heritage of the South East, exhibits include a narrow-gauge railway and bus service (both provide free nostalgic travel around the site), Connected Earth Telecommunications Hall, Milne Electricity Hall, Printing Workshop and much more. The museum is also home to traditional craftspeople, such as the blacksmith and potter.
Arundel Castle & Gardens
Arundel Castle and Gardens
Arundel BN18 9AB
01903 882173
There is nearly 1,000 years of history at this great castle, situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arun in West Sussex and built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel.
Collections: The results of all this history are concentrated at the castle, which houses a fascinating collection of fine furniture dating from the 16th century, tapestries, clocks, and portraits by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Mytens, Lawrence, Reynolds, etc. Personal possessions of Mary, Queen of Scots and a selection of historical, religious and heraldic items from the Duke of Norfolk’s collection are also on display.
Arundel Museum & Heritage Centre
Arundel Museum, Mill Road
Arundel BN18 9PA
01903 885866
Arundel Museum is the south coast’s newest museum, revealing the story of the historic town of Arundel. Exhibitions change regularly but focus on the life of the town of Arundel from Roman times to the 20th century.
Bignor Roman Villa
Bignor
Pulborough RH20 1PH
01798 869 259
www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk
Bignor Roman Villa is the stunning remains of a Roman home and farm with world-class mosaic floors in a spectacular downland setting. Learn why the Roman owners chose to develop such a magnificent settlement at Bignor in the 3rd century AD and how they acquired wealth from its location.
Bognor Regis Local History Museum
69 High Street
Bognor Regis PO21 1RY
01243 865636
Bognor Regis Local History Society was formed in 1979 to promote research into, and recording of, the town’s history.
Collections: Locally found fossils. Social history collections reflecting past local businesses from pawnbrokers to photography, toys to tobbaconist and chemists to cobblers.
Burgess Hill Museum
Cyprus Hall, Cyprus Road
Burgess Hill RH15 8DX
www.burgesshillmuseum.co.uk
The collection of artefacts includes roman and locally made pottery, Victoria Pleasure Gardens memorabilia, maps, photographs and many more items of interest.
Chichester Cathedral
West Street
Chichester PO19 1RP
01243 782595
www.chichestercathedral.org.uk
For 900 years Chichester Cathedral has stood at the heart of Chichester. Each generation has left its mark on the cathedral, so this magnificent building has unique architecture ranging from original Norman features to the towering Victorian Spire and newly restored Lady Chapel.
Christ’s Hospital School Museum
The Counting House, Christ’s Hospital
Horsham RH13 7YP
01403 211293
Housed on the top floor of the infirmary, the museum has many artefacts from school life at London, Hertford and Horsham, as well as an original matron’s kitchen from 1902. Christ’s Hospital has a complete run of admission books, giving pupils’ details from 1563 to present day, as well as many other records detailing life at the school.
Coultershaw Water Pump
Coultershaw Mill, Station Road
Petworth GU28 0JE
01798 865774
www.coultershaw.co.uk
This waterwheel-driven three-throw beam pump was installed in 1782 to pump water from the River Rother up to Petworth, 150ft higher. The machinery has been put in working order and a 100 year old barn from Goodwood erected over it to act as a reception and display centre.
Crawley Museum
Crawley Museum Centre, Goffs Park House, Old Horsham Road, Southgate
Crawley RH11 8PE
01293 539 088
This museum is run by Crawley Museum Society in the present location, but will move to a historic house in central Crawley in 2016/7. The displays show the life of the Crawley area from the Stone Age to the present day, and include a fine Bronze Age sword and a Rex Forecar of 1903 which featured regularly in the London-Brighton run.
Cuckfield Museum
Queen’s Hall, High Street
Cuckfield RH17 5EL
01444 473630
Cuckfield Museum is a small volunteer run, independent museum, housed on the first floor of historic Queen’s Hall situated on Cuckfield’s medieval High Street.
Collections: The museum has a permanent exhibition of items from its collection illustrating various aspects of life in and around Cuckfield during the last two hundred years. The museum houses a local history reference library and document archive.
East Grinstead Museum
Old Market Yard, Cantelupe Road
East Grinstead RH19 3BJ
01342 302233
www.eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk
Interesting and varied displays trace the history of the town and surrounding area. Artefacts and memorabilia are interspersed with interactive touch screens and film.
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Roman Way, Fishbourne
Chichester PO19 2QR
01243 785859
www.sussexpast.co.uk
Explore this first-century home and outstanding archaeological site, get hands-on at our exciting family events and marvel at the largest collection of early Roman mosaic floors in Britain. Dating back to the beginning of Roman occupation of Britain this Roman Palace offers visitors of all ages a unique experience.
Guildhall Museum
Priory Park
Chichester PO19 1NH
Contact 01243 784683, Tuesday to Saturdaay
www.thenovium.org/index.cfm?articleid=20295
The Guildhall was built in 1269 as the church for the Greyfriars. After the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 the church became the Town Hall.
Collections: Displays show the history of the area including the castle which was destroyed in 1217, the Greyfriars and William Blake. There is also information on Priory Park.
Henfield Museum
Henfield Hall, Cooper’s Way, High Street
Henfield BN5 9DB
01273 492507
www.henfieldhub.com/henfield-museum
The museum is owned and run by Henfield Parish Council. The objects exhibited range from early fossils and flint implements, through the Medieval and Tudor era to the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods. Household objects from these times recall Henfield in the past.
Horsham Museum & Art Gallery
Causeway House, 9 Causeway
Horsham RH12 1HE
01403 254959
Horsham Museum is situated at the head of the Causeway one of Sussex’s and most picturesque streets of period buildings. The museum building itself dates back to the 1400s and is well worth a visit alone.
Ifield Watermill
Hyde Drive, Ifield
Crawley RH11 0PL
01293 539 088
www.crawleymuseums.org/watermill
Ifield Watermill is thought to be the only working Watermill in West Sussex still powered by its original water source, the Ifield millpond.
Littlehampton Museum
Manor House, Church Street
Littlehampton BN17 5EW
01903 738100
Littlehampton Museum is in the heart of the town centre and offers a fascinating insight into the community’s social history through a variety of exciting galleries, many with audio points and interactive elements to help guide you through the history of the town.
Collections: The collection includes a wealth of archaeological material from the surrounding area including Angmering Roman Villa, the Climping coin hoard and features Bronze and Iron Age exhibits.
Manor Cottage Heritage Centre
Manor Cottage, Southwick Street
Southwick BN42 4TE
01273 465164
www.southwicksociety.btck.co.uk/TheManorCottage
The building dates from about the mid 15th century and was built as an open hall with an oak frame, wattle and daub walls and probably a thatched roof.
Marlipins Museum
36 High Street
Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5DA
01273 462994 or 01273 405735 out of season
www.friendsofmarlipins.org.uk/museum.html
The medieval building in which Marlipins Museum presents its collections is of national importance (Grade II* Listed). It houses more than 2,500 exhibits reflecting the rich history of the area, its archaeology, maritime shipbuilding past, the two World Wars, and the Shoreham Beach nature reserve..
Novium, The
Tower Street
Chichester PO19 1QH
01243 775888
The Novium offers intriguing stories from Chichester District connected with extraordinary artefacts in a brand new, state-of-the-art building. Alongside the commitment to preserve our rich local heritage, The Novium also provides visitors with a glimpse into the past 500,000 years.
Nymans – National Trust
Staplefield Road, Handcross
Haywards Heath RH17 6EB
01444 405250
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans
Nymans is one of the great gardens of the Sussex Weald and is internationally famous for its beauty and collection of rare plants. It is the achievement of three generations of the Messel family over a period of over a hundred years.
Pallant House Gallery
9 North Pallant
Chichester PO19 1TJ
01243 774557
Pallant House Gallery is a unique combination of a Grade 1 listed Queen Anne townhouse and an award-winning contemporary extension. It is based in the heart of Chichester and holds one of the best collections of Modern British art in the country.
Parham Park
Pulborough RH20 4HS
01903 742021
www.parhaminsussex.co.uk
THistoric manor house dating from the Elizabethan era, with rare art, gardens and 875-acre deer park.
Petworth Cottage Museum, The
346 High Street
Petworth GU28 0AU
01798 342100
www.petworthcottagemuseum.co.uk
The museum is a Leconfield Estate worker’s cottage restored and furnished as it might have been in about 1910, when Mrs. Mary Cummings lived in No 346. The museum also has a rare collection of Petworth Goss China.
Petworth House & Park – National Trust
Petworth Park
Petworth GU28 0AE
01798 342207
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house
Rebuilt in 1688 by the ‘Proud Duke’ (Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset) around the ancient manor house of the Percy family, Petworth today houses the largest collection of paintings and sculpture in the care of the National Trust. Petworth also features a 30-acre woodland garden, which forms part of the Pleasure Ground, and a majestic 700-acre landscaped park designed by ‘Capability’ Brown which is home to the largest herd of fallow deer in England.
Priest House & Garden, The
North Lane
West Hoathly RH19 4PP
01342 810479
www.sussexpast.co.uk
The only one of its kind open to the public, this beautiful 15th century Wealden hall house stands in a traditional cottage garden on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in picturesque West Hoathly. The house was owned in turn by Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, Anne of Cleves, Mary I and Elizabeth I. It is now furnished with 17th & 18th century country furniture and domestic objects while the garden is planted with over 170 culinary, medicinal & household herbs.
Royal Sussex Living History Group, The
07977 511134
The Royal Sussex Living History Group is a small group dedicated to recreating the Royal Sussex Regiment as it would have been in the Victorian period, keeping alive the days of scarlet tunics, buff leather equipment and bell tents.
Rustington Heritage Association Exhibition Centre
34 Woodlands Avenue
Rustington BN16 3HB
01903 788478
Rustington Museum is housed in a newly renovated thatched cottage in the heart of the village of Rustington. The museum tells the fascinating story of the village from prehistory right through to the present day.
Selsey Lifeboat Museum
Kingsway
Selsey PO20 0DL
01243 602387
www.selseylifeboats.co.uk/index.html
Today’s lifeboat station at Selsey operates an all weather Tyne class lifeboat (AWL 47-031 ‘Voluntary Worker’) and a D class inshore lifeboat (ILB D691 ‘Betty and Thomas Moore’). Over its 150-year history the crew have been presented with 10 awards for gallantry.
Shoreham Airport Historical Association & Archive
Terminal Building, Shoreham Airport
Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5FF
01273 441 061
The services offered at the Visitor Centre include an introduction to the aviation world to anybody of any age and above all with any interest. For those wishing to experience the world of aviation we have regular airport guided tours and our Visitor Centre is full of interesting displays relating to Shoreham’s history.
Collections: The Archive houses a massive collection of photographs and literature dating back 95 years. In addition, we also publish a quarterly journal which contains a large degree of research material.
Standen – National Trust
Standen, West Hoathly Road
East Grinstead RH19 4NE
01342 323029
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/standen
Standen is a fine show-piece of the late 19th-century Arts & Crafts Movement, featuring rich William Morris textiles and wallpapers, complemented by contemporary furniture, ceramics and pictures of the time. Philip Webb, friend of William Morris, designed this family house in the 1890s.
Steyning Museum
The Museum, Church Street
Steyning BN44 3YB
01903 813333
Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding are full of surprises. There has been a castle in Bramber since the time of William the Conqueror. Steyning church was founded by a Saxon saint – with a very strange story.
Storrington & District Museum
The Old School, School Lane
Storrington RH20 4LL
01903 740188
The museum houses local archaeology, articles from local churches, domestic history, details of local people and their memorabilia, artefacts of vanished local places, trades and services and articles from the two world wars.
Sussex Family History Group
8 Wythwood
Haywards Heath RH16 4RD
www.sfhg.org.uk
For all those interested in family history and genealogical research in Sussex, England.
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
Tangmere
Chichester PO20 2ES
01243 790090
The museum was opened in 1982 with exhibits depicting 70 years of military aviation in Sussex, with special emphasis on the RAF at Tangmere and the air war over southern England from 1939 to 1945. There are full size replicas of a Hurricane and a Spitfire. The Tangmere Hall has exhibits illustrating the history of Tangmere from 1917 to 1970.
TimeMachineFun, The Clock Trust
Time Machine/Clocktrust Woodend Turning, Common Road, Funtington/East Ashling
Chichester PO18 9DH
01243576890
The building itself comes from the block work recovered from the cathedral collapse in 1850. TimeMachineFun, a museum with a difference, you get to explore and interact with the exhibits, which are experiments. On display we have a variety of weird and wonderful technology, demonstrating how science and engineering has totally changed the society we all enjoy. Instead of just looking at the exhibits from a distance we have a hands-on approach where we open items up, take them apart and explore the science and engineering inside.
Uppark House & Garden – National Trust
South Harting
Petersfield GU31 5QR
01730 825 415
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark
Late 17th-century house in an impressive setting. Fine late 17th-century house elevated upon the South Downs. Renowned Grand Tour Collection. Impressive Georgian doll’s-house.
Wakehurst Place – National Trust
Ardingly RH17 6TN
01444 894066
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wakehurst-place
The 200 hectares (500 acres) at Wakehurst Place include walled gardens, water gardens, a wetland conservation area, woodland, lakes and ponds.
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Singleton
Chichester PO18 0EU
01243 811363
www.wealddown.co.uk
Our ancestors’ homes and the way they built them, their animals and the way they raised them, their crops and flowers and the way they grew them…at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum visitors discover how the people of south east England lived over the last 500 years. At the heart of the museum’s collection are 50 historic homes, farms and workplaces that have been rescued and restored as far as possible to their original form.
West Sussex Record Office
3 Orchard Street
Chichester PO19 1DD
01243 753602
The record office acquires, preserves and makes publicly available the documented and recorded heritage of the county.
Worthing Museum & Art Gallery
Chapel Road
Worthing BN11 1HP
01903 221067
www.worthingmuseum.co.uk
Opened in 1908 this fine Edwardian building houses West Sussex’s largest museum. Permanent displays include archaelogy, costume, local history and decorative art.