Hidden Gems of West Sussex

Among the country’s lesser-known treasures is Racton Monument, known locally as Racton Ruin, an intriguing 18th century folly tucked away in the countryside near Chichester, with an atmospheric history and a reputation for being one of Sussex’s most mysterious landmarks. 

Racton Monument was commissioned by Lord Halifax in the mid-18th century as a statement on the landscape, and the lower half is believed to have been a banqueting hall while the upper floors afforded spectacular views across the South Downs. Since its partial demolition in the 1780s a surge of paranormal activity has been reported, such as flying bricks, faces at windows and ghostly figures, to name just a few.

To add to the intrigue, in 1989 a 4,000 year old skeleton known as Racton Man was discovered nearby, understood to be a warrior chief killed in battle and now displayed in the Novium Museum. The skeleton was found with his hands clasping a dagger in front of his face, which is the oldest bronze object ever found in Britain 

How to get there: The ruined monument is part of a three-mile, circular Racton Folly walk by The Ambling Path, beginning and ending at Stansted Park. It should be admired from the designated footpath as the ruins themselves stand on private land.

Where can I eat or drink nearby? For lunch or a coffee stop, check out the nearby Pavilion Tearooms at Stansted Park, or the Fox and Hounds at Funtingdon. Then head into Chichester to see Racton Man for yourself at the Novium Museum. While you’re there, it’s a short walk to the impressive Chichester Cathedral over the road, as well as the many shops and restaurants in the area.

Not everyone knows about the hidden gem tucked behind Chichester Cathedral that is the Bishop’s Palace Garden. It provides a tranquil space for relaxation, a green lung of calm within the historic cobbled bustle of shops, restaurants and culture. A quiet corner can always be found before or after you have admired the breath-taking cathedral right next door.

Another quiet oasis to elevate yourself above the day-to-day bustle of the city is Chichester City Walls walk, where you can stroll quietly around the city with a bird’s eye view of the town below. From here you can observe the ancient motte and bailey from Norman times within Priory Park as you walk this unique historic route.

How to get there: Chichester is well connected by road, rail and bus. There are many car parks available, while Chichester train station and the bus station will bring you into the heart of this walkable city.

Eating & drinking nearby? Should you happen to feel peckish while you are in Chichester, many eateries are within walking distance: the Cloisters Kitchen and Garden Cafe, Bill’s and The Ivy to name a few.

Petworth is brimming with history from across the centuries but not so many know about the window into its more recent history at the Petworth Cottage Museum, where visitors can experience an authentic journey back to the early 1900s. ‘Mrs Cummings Cottage’, as it is sometimes known, is named after Mrs Mary Cummings, the seamstress at nearby Petworth House who lived here just over a hundred years ago. The cottage has been restored and furnished as if it were 1910, revealing a fascinating insight into a more recent iteration of interior design.

Explore the house, which includes a scullery, living room, bedroom, sewing room, attic and cellar, as well as a charming cottage garden. The museum is also home to a rare collection of Petworth Goss China.

Opening times: The museum is open from 2pm to 4.30pm on Tuesday to Saturday throughout April and October.

Where can I eat or drink nearby: There is much to while away your day in Petworth, from the many art and antique stores tucked away within the pretty town, to the delicious cafes such as the Hungry Guest or the E. Street Bar and Grill and the wonderful Petworth House and Park with its history and world-renowned art collection.

With such a diverse landscape of rolling hills, charming villages, stately homes and dramatic coastline, it is no surprise that West Sussex has made its mark as the back drop to many famous films and television productions.

Check out Amberley Museum, not only an intriguing insight into the South’s historical working past but also the setting for the climactic scenes in the James Bond film A View to a Kill. The old chalk pits and quarry tunnel were transformed into the fictional Mail Strike Mine where the villain Zorin schemed and plotted his dastardly deeds.

Petworth House and Park will be familiar to many as the stunning back drop to many a blockbuster. With its grand state rooms and sprawling parkland, Petworth lends itself well to period dramas. It featured prominently in Ridley Scott’s epic feature film Napoleon, providing both extravagance and historical authenticity. Other films of note include Bridgerton, Rebecca and Maleficent. 

The hugely popular television series Repair Shop is filmed at the Weald and Downland Living Museum at Singleton, where its olde worlde credentials lend charm to the programme. Showcasing historic buildings from across the South East of England, the museum is a valuable resource for a wide variety of well-known shows, from Flog It! to the Hairy Bikers and Countryfile.

Finally, not quite a film location but with more than a passing connection to the Netflix smash hit, House of Guinness, Bailiffscourt Hotel at Climping was the former home of brewing dynasty scion and politician, soldier and businessman Walter Edward Guinness, 1st Baron Moyne, and his wife Evelyn between 1933 until their deaths in 1944 and 1939. Bailiffscourt was built by Walter, the grandson of Sir Benjamin Guinness, the character at the heart of the Netflix series and a key player in the expansion of the brewery into the world-renowned business we recognise today.

If you enjoy walking and discovering something unexpected along the way, the Chalk Stones Trail near Cocking and West Dean combines dramatic South Downs scenery with an arty twist. The series of distinctive sculptures created by renowned land artist Andy Goldsworthy covers a five mile route taking in historic landscapes and far-reaching countryside views. 

The 13 large chalk stones were excavated from a quarry in West Sussex, chiselled into rounds and then placed as they might have been in days gone by to guide travellers along the route. This little-known but delightful walk follows parts of the South Downs Way and crosses land owned by the West Dean Estate. Aside from the views, you’ll pass a bronze age barrow and admire the ruins of one of the old Midhurst to Chichester Railway arches.

A number of the enormous boulders are easy to spot while others, naturally weathered, require a little more hunting! A perfect family-friendly activity to engage both adults and children while you soak up the scenery.

How to get there: Begin the trail at the bus stop at Cocking Hill and finish at West Dean College. Stagecoach operates bus route 60 connecting Chichester and Midhurst, with buses running every half hour from Monday to Saturday or hourly on Sundays. You can download the full route here. 

Where can I eat or drink nearby: You can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner at The Blue Bell pub, in Cocking. At the end of the trail, treat yourself to a delicious bite to eat at the West Dean Gardens café, or the West Dean Village Stores and Tearoom. The Cadence Café is another great place to refuel on the bus route back to Cocking.

Some of Chichester’s most famous residents fly very much under the radar but they are worth spotting if you get the chance. Peregrine falcons, which are the world’s fastest living creature and have a diving speed during flight of more than 186 miles per hour, were first spotted on the spire of Chichester Cathedral in the mid-1980s. They’ve been regularly using Chichester’s historic cathedral as a nesting ground since 2001, if not before, fledging over 70-80 chicks in that time.

During June and July, the Cathedral hosts Peregrine Open Days on Cathedral Green where you can view the birds through telescopes, view live footage on site and speak with volunteers who have supported the project for many years  (The Peregrine Project is a collaboration between Chichester Cathedral, the Sussex Ornithological Society, Carnyx and local wildlife enthusiasts David and Janet Shaw). It’s a good idea to bring your own binoculars to observe the birds.

If you aren’t able to make it along to one of the birdwatching gatherings on the green, you can watch the peregrine falcons building and fledging their nests via a webcam that operates between April and August, run by a group of wildlife enthusiasts.

Things to do nearby: Across the road is the Novium Museum which has a viewing platform taking in views of the city including direct sight of the Cathedral. Don’t forget to scout out somewhere to eat – there is Bill’s Restaurant, Purchases or Robin’s Nest Cafe to name a few.

Not many know about the ruins of the abandoned church and school in woodland just outside the historic market town of Petworth, even the locals! History lovers can seek out a snapshot into the past through the off-the-beaten-track remains of St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church, set within enchanting woodland in the hamlet of Bedham.

Harking back to 1880, the site was built by William Townley Mitford MP to serve as a school during the week and a church at weekends for the local community. The building was divided by a curtain for different classes until Friday afternoon, when chairs were turned eastwards and ink pots removed in preparation for the Sunday church service!

At its peak the school boasted 60 pupils and three teachers, but closed its doors just before the start of the First World War, with the church’s own demise in 1959. It is worth the challenge of locating this hidden gem set in The Mens Nature Reserve, a quiet wood off Wakestone Lane, and many original features can be admired within the remaining shell of the building.

How to get there: There is no public transport to the ruins so a car is a must. There is a parking area on the edge of the woods at the side of Wakestone Lane as you drive in to Bedham as if coming from the A272. Look out for a large hairpin bend leading up a hill, shortly after a dark wooden house with tree stumps along the grass verge – it appears soon after. Postcode – RH20 1JR. What3words: outlooks.prom.blows.

Where can I eat or drink nearby? Not far from the hamlet of Bedham is Langham Brewery where you’ll find award-winning home-brewed ales being served in the taproom and available to purchase. From there, the pretty market town of Midhurst offers up a number of good eating spots, including Comestibles, Gather & Graze plus the Cowdray Farm Shop and Café.

Did you know that tucked away behind the bustle of Chichester train station is the Chichester Ship Canal, where you can jump aboard a fully accessible canal boat cruise? Experience uninterrupted views of the cathedral and South Downs as you glide past wildflowers and reed beds. You will get a unique window onto the local wildlife and are likely to spot kingfishers, swans, herons and mallards in their natural habitat.

Meanwhile, Wey and Arun Canal at Loxwood provides a serene way to experience the Sussex countryside, with canal walks and boat trips offering a slower-paced alternative to some of the county’s better-known West Sussex attractions. Running every weekend from Spring to Autumn, the tranquil cruises aboard the eco-friendly electric boat Wiggonholt take visitors through peaceful countryside, historic locks and wildlife-rich landscapes abundant in wildflowers. The boat has capacity for 48 passengers and an accessibility lift for those with mobility needs. Light refreshments are available and picnics permitted.

How to get there: Canal trips start in the Southgate Basin at the head of the Chichester Ship Canal. It is easily located close to Chichester train station, Chichester bus station and within walking distance of the many car parks dotted around the centre of Chichester, which is just a short drive from the A27.

The Wey and Arun canal trips begin behind the Onslow Arms pub in Loxwood. There is a large car park available for canal visitors just beyond the pub.

Eating & drinking nearby? Chichester Ship Canal is so close to the heart of the city that you will have no trouble finding a good place for coffee or a meal. Try the Boston Tea Party for snacks and light bites, Santorini Chichester for good Greek fare or the Fat Fig.

Loxwood has two pubs, the Onslow Arms and the Sir Roger Tichborne. The Onslow Arms is just a short stroll from the canal and a great place for a traditional cream tea or a ploughman's.

There are corners of West Sussex that have little changed since ancient times. Kingley Vale Nature Reserve outside Chichester is home to some of the oldest living trees in the UK! With its twisted, gnarled yew trees whispering tales from the past, and burial mounds whose stories we can only speculate upon, Kingley Vale will intrigue and delight with its ever-changing landscapes and far-reaching views.

How to get there: The best place to park for Kingley Vale is the West Stoke car park on Downs Road, PO18 9BE.

Another gem in an off-the-beaten-track location is Boxgrove Priory, in the pretty village of Boxgrove. An historic ruin built for just three monks in about 1107, the Priory can be found down an unremarkable track to be wandered at your leisure, and is open during reasonable daylight hours. 

How to get there: The easiest way to get to Boxgrove Priory is by car – there is ample parking in the Boxgrove Village Hall car park (Postcode: PO18 0EE, What3words: mystified.outright.portfolio). The nearest train station is Chichester and from there the route 55 bus to Tangmere stops at the village primary school.

Once you have refuelled with supplies from the Boxgrove village shop, you can stroll along the Windmill Trail and up a hill to the Halnaker Windmill, where you will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the countryside. If all that leaves you with an appetite, settle yourself in at the comfortable Anglesey Arms for excellent food and a lovely beer garden. 

How to get there: If you want the longer trail you can park in the Boxgrove Village Hall car park as before. For a shorter walk up to the Windmill there is a marked parking bay next to Warehead Farm (Postcode: PO18 0EE, What3words: lakes.marsh.briefer).

This is a café with a bit of a difference. You can enjoy beautiful views of the grass runway at Goodwood Aerodrome interrupted only by the occasional Spitfire taking off, while behind you the historic Motor Circuit gathers speed. This is a unique way to enjoy a cup of coffee or a bite to eat and perfect for petrolheads!

Goodwood’s Aerodrome Café offers breakfast and lunch using produce from Goodwood Home Farm, where they raise rare and native breeds. It offers the best of organic produce from meats to milk and cheese from the dairy.

How to get there: The Aerodrome Café can be found at Westerton (Postcode: PO18 0PH, What3words: goats.gain.maker) just outside Chichester. It is best reached by car.

When can you visit the cafe: The café is open from April to October, 9am – 5pm and November to March, 9am – 4pm. Breakfast is served from 9am – 11am and lunch is available between 12pm and 3pm.

Did you know it is possible to go on a safari in West Sussex? A seal safari! West Sussex is home to a thriving community of seals whose habitat is in Chichester Harbour. The shy but curious creatures can often be seen on the quieter sandbanks and mudflats within the bays, or bobbing about in the water. And whilst it is important to maintain a respectful distance at all times, you can go and seek them out by boat.

The Solar Heritage run by the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, is a quietly-operating solar-powered catamaran that sets off from Itchenor to give you a tour of Chichester Harbour and its fascinating residents. Accompanied by wildlife experts on the way, you will have the opportunity to ask as many questions about the common and grey seals as you can think of. It is the perfect way to catch a glimpse of these adorable creatures.

How to get there: The Solar Heritage departs from Itchenor jetty (Postcode: PO20 7AW, What3words: driveways.lunged.hatch). The best way to get there is by car and there is ample parking in the public car park off the Street (pay on exit via card/contactless) a couple of minutes’ walk away. Blue badge holders can park in the Street for us to 3 hours and need to display their blue badge and clock with start time. 

Eating & drinking nearby? The Ship Inn at Itchenor does great pub food and the Quarterdeck Café in the Shipyard is good for light bites and pizza.

Much is made of the Norman Conquest in 1066, and its transformative effect on the history of Britain. More recently, attention has galvanised around the Bayeux Tapestry which depicts the lead up to the Battle of Hastings and beyond. But did you know that Bosham Holy Trinity Church played a significant role in the story and is one of only two English locations referenced in the embroidery? 

Bosham has impressive historical claims to the saga, as Harold II is thought to have lived in the Manor House behind the church. The Bayeux Tapestry shows him visiting Bosham Church for a blessing prior to setting sail for France, where he promised William the Conqueror the English crown – a promise he broke upon Edward the Confessor’s death, which precipitated the conquest.

Pay a visit to this quaint church, taking time to look for the memorial stone remembering the young daughter of King Canute (who also lived in Bosham in former times) and who is thought to have drowned in the millstream that runs through the pretty village.

How to get there: Bosham is on bus route 56 or 700. Bosham train station runs from London Victoria, however a substantial walk is required to reach the harbour, if not a short taxi or bike ride. Arriving by car will bring you into the village centre, where there is an extensive public car park (Postcode: PO18 8HZ) a short walk from the shops and sea front.

Eating & drinking in Bosham: You will want to make the most of the delicious eateries in this picturesque village. A short stroll from the church is the Anchor Bleu pub and the Shoreside Café, both with an enviable waterside setting. The Millstream Hotel is a wonderful oasis of calm offering award-winning meals in its Sea School restaurant and Marwick’s Brasserie, or tea in the hotel lounge or garden.

Why not get off the beaten tourist track and discover something new? 

For other lesser-known attractions, you could try following the Street Art Trail around Chichester, an outdoor route of contemporary artistic expression taking you along the winding backstreets of this pretty historic town. 

Another trail with a difference is Selsey’s Seal Art Trail, which will guide you around the town revealing fascinating nuggets of local interest as you locate the fun fibreglass sculptures decorated with wild and wacky designs. 

Whether it’s a woodland walk, an ancient monument, a secluded garden, a ruined historic building or a small village with a fascinating story, West Sussex offers opportunities to discover something unexpected around every corner.

Slow down, explore locally and see West Sussex from a different perspective.

What are the best hidden gems in West Sussex? 

West Sussex has many hidden gems waiting to be explored. Whether it is a boat trip looking for seals in Chichester Harbour, a historical gem with links to the Bayeux Tapestry such as Bosham Church, or a hidden corner of the beautiful rolling landscape, West Sussex has plenty to offer.

What unusual places can you visit in West Sussex? 

The Racton Monument is an intriguing ruined folly near Stansted House. Or the old school and church ruins at Bedham are a fascinating glimpse into the past. Petworth Cottage Museum is an old cottage decorated as it might have been in 1910.

What are the best off-the-beaten-track places near Chichester? 

If you are looking for a hidden corner of Chichester to explore, seek out the Bishops Palace Gardens around the corner from Chichester Cathedral, or see the town from a different perspective by following the Chichester City Walls walk. Take a Chichester Canal cruise to catch a glimpse of wildlife beyond the city.

Where can I find quiet walks in West Sussex?

West Sussex is blessed with beautiful quiet walks such as the Kingley Vale Nature Reserve, the many footpaths around Chichester Harbour and the Chalk Stones Trail on the South Downs Way.