Tumbling from the Surrey Downs and Hampshire borders to the coast of the English Channel, The Great Sussex Way (www.thegreatsussexway.org) packs a punch that belies its size. From its past — think astounding archaeological finds, Iron Age forts and pretty Tudor-beamed villages — to a present full of fun and adrenaline, there’s not much you won’t find here. With the launch of its new website — built using the global Simpleview CMS — The Great Sussex Way can put its many attractions front and centre.
The character of this slice of West Sussex is shaped by its landscape — a kaleidoscope of coastal plains, woodlands, rivers, and streams — and defined by its deep history. Set close to the area’s main town of Chichester, the little village of Boxgrove is famed for its archaeological heritage; in 1993, the leg bone of a pre-neanderthal man was discovered here and recognised as the oldest set of hominid remains ever found in the UK. History lovers can also explore Iron Age forts and mounds at Chanctonbury Hill, St. Roche’s Hill (AKA The Trundle), Beacon Hill, and Devil’s Humps while Fishbourne offers up the remains of an elegant Roman palace, said to be the largest Roman residence north of the Alps.
If medieval is more your thing, look no further than Arundel Castle. While it was restored extensively in the early Edwardian era, its motte or mound and gatehouse remain much as they were in the mid-11th century. If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to call in during one of the castle’s many medieval festivals or jousting tournaments. The streets of the towns of Petworth — loved by antique hunters — along with those of pretty Midhurst also boast a splendid array of history and architecture from the Middle Ages, the Tudor period, and beyond.
If antiques just aren’t for you, there’s always Goodwood. This well-known estate has given its name to a famous motor circuit and a racecourse as well as to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the quirky Goodwood Revival. Heading further down The Great Sussex Way, thrill seekers can make for the Witterings, Selsey, and Chichester Harbour to partake in a wide variety of watersports — including surfing, kiteboarding, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddle boarding. No sea legs? That’s OK, because The Great Sussex Way is the perfect place for walkers and cyclists, who can wind their way from the downs to the coast and back again across any number of routes, paths, and trails. And when it all gets to be just too much, the area’s rich soil and bountiful seas are a gourmet’s delight; think fresh crab, whelks, and seafood from Selsey, and of course, a nice glass of Sussex sparkling wine.
Historical charm, a stunning landscape and certainly no shortage of things to see and do — when it comes to attractions, The Great Sussex Way is proof if there ever was that good things come in small packages. And now, with the power of Simpleview’s global CMS, The Great Sussex Way has the agility and responsiveness to showcase all the area has to offer like never before.
Images courtesy of www.thegreatsussexway.org
