Angmering: History and Trails

Angmering brings together traces from very different periods: evidence of Neolithic flint mining sits alongside Iron Age settlement, a Romano-British villa, and later churches and houses. There are also signposted circular walks and public footpaths and bridleways on the Angmering Park Estate. When planning your stay, you can therefore focus on three themes: early archaeology, historic architecture, and trails and landscape.

Traces from prehistory to antiquity

Harrow Hill lies at the very northern edge of Angmering. There is evidence of Neolithic flint mining there, which continued during the Bronze and Iron Ages and beyond. This long period of use spans several eras. Another archaeological landmark is the Romano-British villa, with traces of Iron Age settlement: it lies 500 m west-southwest of New Barn in the parish of Angmering and is protected as a Scheduled Monument. Harrow Hill and the villa mark distinct sites and historical themes: one represents mining that continued across several eras, while the other bears traces of Iron Age settlement and the Romano-British period.

Church, houses and historic uses

The late Romanesque church of West Angmering dates from the late 12th century and survives today as St Margaret’s. Its tower dates to 1507, adding a later period to its late Romanesque origins. After services, St Margaret’s invites visitors to stay for refreshments.

Several surviving houses of medieval and Tudor origin in the Angmering Conservation Area are protected as Listed Buildings. Longback Cottages on Arundel Road tell a different story of construction and use: they were originally built in the early 18th century as almshouses for elderly and infirm people.

Angmering received a market charter from King Richard II in 1384; until around 1830, an annual regional hiring fair was held to match workers and shepherds with employers. Alongside churches and houses, this brings legal and labour history into view: the royal charter on the one hand, and organised recruitment on the other.

Circular walks and landscape

The type of route offers a useful point of comparison. Copse Walk is one of three signposted circular walks in Angmering; the other two are called Parkland Walk and Woodland Walk. The Angmering Park Estate lies in the South Downs National Park and is characterised by lush, deer-populated woodland and expansive views across the Downs. Numerous public footpaths and bridleways cross the estate and can be used for walking, cycling and horse riding. The practical difference lies in the route type: the three named routes are circular walks, while the estate’s trails include public footpaths and bridleways.

Discover more destinations: Shoreham-By-Sea, Stedham, Amberley, Pagham, East Wittering, Trotton, Ansty, Arundel

For the overview of the wider travel region: West Sussex.