Newtimber

One of the fine string of ancient Sussex villages built on the spring line under the South Downs, Newtimber parish is a widely spread collection of farms and isolated buildings.

There's no village centre as such, although the most interesting part of Newtimber can be found around its church and manor house - Newtimber Place.

Newtimber Place

Commemorative modern sign recording the history of Newtimber

Although not the biggest mansion house in West Sussex, Newtimber Place is among the prettiest, first built in Elizabethan times out of brick and flint.

You can visit Newtimber Place by booking a guided tour. Tel (01273) 833104.

The attractive gardens, which include a memorable moat and dovecote, are also open once or twice a year as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS).

Newtimber Church

The corner of Newtimber around Newtimber Church and the Old Rectory is a wonderfully peaceful spot, despite the proximity of the roaring A23 dual carriageway a few hundred metres to the east.

The architecture of the St John's Church, Newtimber is largely Victorian, but there has been a church here since the thirteenth century. At the church you can see a list of the rectors of Newtimber parish dating back to 1270.

Inside the church there are plenty of interesting memorials with local connections which date back throught the centuries, including many connected with the Buxton family - lords of the manor.

Newtimber Hill

Newtimber Hill lies south of the village and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on account of its chalkland habitat. This supports some rare downland flowers including the roundheaded rampion and horseshoe vetch - two of the special plant of Sussex.

The National Trust look after Newtimber Hill and the neighbouring Saddlescombe Farm Estate.

Newtimber Holt Ancient Woodland is a fine expanse of beech and lime woodland which is a good place to find bluebells in springtime. Newtimber Holt hangs on the steep slopes of Newtimber Hill above the neighbouring village of Pyecombe.

INTERESTING PLACES NEAR NEWTIMBER

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Tuesday February 07