About the area of West Sussex
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties sold in West Sussex recently, scroll down to the bottom of this page)

MAIN TOWNS/AREAS IN Sussex: Ashdown Forest, Brighton, Crowborough, Eastbourne, East Grinstead, Etchingham, Forest Row, Hailsham, Hartfield, Hastings, Heathfield, Lewes, Mayfield, Robertsbridge, Rotherfield, Rye, The Weald, Uckfield, Wadhurst.

West Sussex is a diverse county – from the new town of Crawley in the north-east growing around Gatwick, to the undulating South Downs, to the sailors' haven of Chichester Harbour. It is surprising, given its close proximity to the capital that the total population is only circa 750,000. There are a number of reasons for this.

The county is predominantly made up of small and medium-sized towns, controlled in size by the district councils. Over half the county is made up of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the large estates such as Goodwood, Cowdray and Petworth have not in the past released land for development. Relatively few houses and ease of access have combined to push prices firmly upwards.

The northern areas of the county are popular with commuters. Trains from Haslemere to London Waterloo take 51 minutes with the A3 providing a quick road link. Particularly popular are houses in the Milland Valley, Marley Common, and on Black Down where many houses have exceptional views.

In the north-east the Thames Link commuter train service to London Bridge and Blackfriars (33 & 43 minutes respectively from Three Bridges) along with the M23 provide easy access to London. However, there is a price to be paid – with a busy road network and aeroplanes from Gatwick, picking a quiet area can be tricky.

In the country house market, areas along the South Downs and coastal plains are increasingly in demand for second homes, particularly between Midhurst and Petworth.

The coastal plain south of Chichester and the A27 provide a mish-mash of settlements from the pretty at Bosham, where high premiums are paid for views over the water, to Bracklesham which is best described as suburban sprawl.

Major towns

Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Chichester, Haywards Heath, Horsham, East Grinstead, Crawley, Petworth, Midhurst.

Transport links

Train:Victoria to Brighton 1hr; to Crawley 45min; to Chichester 1hr 45 min.

Car: Brighton to central London 50 miles, via the A23 and M23; Crawley, 31 miles, via the M23; Chichester 71 miles, via the A3.

Public & Private schools in Sussex

Ardingly College (01444 892577). Co-educational, age range 2-18, day and boarding. http://www.ardingly.com/

Battle Abbey School (01424 772385). Co-educational, age range 3-18, day and boarding. www.battleabbeyschool.com/

Brighton College (01273 605788). Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding. Associated preparatory school. www.brightoncollege.org.uk/home/

Burgess Hill School (01444 241050). Girls only, age range 3-18 years, day and boarding. www.burgesshill-school.com/

Brighton and Hove High (01273 734112). Girls only, age range 11-18, day. Associated preparatory school. www.gdst.net/bhhs/

Bellerbys College, Mayfield (01435 872041). Boys only (co-educational sixth form), age range 11-18, day.

Christs Hospital, Horsham (01403 252547). Co-educational, age range 11-18, boarding. www.christs-hospital.org.uk/

Roedean School, Brighton (01273 603181). Girls only, age range 11-18, day and boarding. www.roedean.co.uk/

St Leonards, Mayfield (01435 873652). Girls only, age range 11-18 years, day and boarding. www.stlm.e-sussex.sch.uk/

Leisure

Golfcourses: Rye (01797 225241); Goodwood (01243 785012).

Hunts: the Crawley and Horsham; the Southdown and Eridge; the East Sussex and Romney Marsh.

Yachting clubs: Eastbourne, Itchenor and Rye Harbour Sailing Clubs.

Fishing: rivers Arun, Rother and Ouse; Darwell Reservoir and Weir Wood Reservoir.

THE BEST SUSSEX COUNTRY HOUSES FOR SALE
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)

Wilderwick Estate, East Grinstead, West Sussex (country estate, 173 acres): £3.5m

Exfold Farm, Rudgwick, West Sussex (period farmhouse, 120 acres): £4.5m

Garlands, Slinfold, West Sussex (Grade II*, 88 acres): £3.5m

Trotton Place, Midhurst, West Sussex (Grade II*, 31.75 acres): £3.5m

Shelley's Folly, Cooksbridge, Lewes, East Sussex (Grade 1, Queen Anne House): £3m

The Mill House, Wadhurst, East Sussex (16th century house, 23 acres): £2m

Source: Country Life

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