Sussex
Sussex is a coastal county in the South of England, bordered by Hampshire and Kent in the West and East respectively, and inland by Surrey in the North.
Since local government reorganisation in 1974, it has been divided into two counties, West Sussex and East Sussex, but for the purpose of this website it is regarded as still being the traditional single county.
Sussex was the Kingdom of the South Saxons, as Essex was of the East Saxons and Wessex was of the West Saxons.
Much of the South Downs, a line of chalk hills, and the ancient forest known as the Weald, are situated in Sussex.
A number of England's most popular seaside resorts can be found along the Sussex coast, and the best-known date in English history, 1066, refers to the Battle of Hastings.
Arundel is a delightful little town with an impressively sited castle, home for centuries to the Dukes of Norfolk, as well as a Catholic cathedral.
Battle was built around Battle Abbey, set up on the site of the Battle of Hastings, where William of Normandy defeated Harold II of England.
Bexhill is a genteel seaside resort, containing the famous De La Warr Pavilion.
Bognor Regis is another seaside resort, given the name "Regis" to mark the affection in which it was held by George V.
Bosham is a village on Chichester Harbour popular with yachtsmen, and its church is featured on the Bayeux Tapestry.
Brighton is one of England's largest and most popular seaside towns, and contains the fabulous Royal Pavilion, built for the Prince Regent, as well as The Lanes, narrow streets which are now full of attractive little shops.
Chichester was a Norman town, and now contains one of England's most notable cathedrals, with a considerable amount of art contributed by 20th century artists, as well as extensive lengths of the City Walls and the splendid Market Cross, while nearby is Glorious Goodwood.
Crawley was designated a New Town in the 1960s, but retains some old buildings in the High Street.
Eastbourne is another seaside resort, and contains Beachy Head, the headland where the South Downs finally succumb to the English Channel.
Fishbourne, close to Chichester, has the considerable remains of a Roman palace.
Hastings is a seaside resort and traditional fishing town, with the ruins of an impressive Norman castle.
Horsham is an old market town with modern developments, and houses the headquarters of the RSPCA.
Lewes is an ancient town with an impressive castle, and the scene of a battle where Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, defeated Henry III.
Littlehampton is another seaside resort.
Midhurst is an old town in the Weald, with the splendid Cowdray Park nearby.
Pevensey is where the Norman invaders landed in 1066, and where the Norman castle is set within Roman fortifications.
Rye is a delightful little town which was formerly one of the "antient towns" added to the Cinque Ports.
Winchelsea was the other "antient town" added to the Cinque Ports.
Worthing is yet another seaside town, in the shadow of Brighton.
Rivers of Sussex include the Arun, Adur and Rother, and the county is the subject of the stirring song "Sussex by the Sea"..