Nestled between the South Downs and the English Channel coastline lies the beautiful county of West Sussex. This welcoming part of the South East offers a sublime blend of countryside, culture, history, and family-friendly living. From the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park to bustling market towns and miles of unspoiled coastline, West Sussex is a delightful place to put down roots.
Employment Opportunities
As a prosperous home county, West Sussex provides plenty of employment possibilities. Major local employers include American Express, GlaxoSmithKline, Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Virgin Atlantic, and Centrica. There are also numerous small and medium enterprises across sectors like financial services, pharmaceuticals, aviation, electronics, and more.
With excellent road and rail links to London and along the south coast, West Sussex is popular with commuters too. Journey times to London Victoria and London Bridge stations from Haywards Heath are just over 40 minutes. The county also provides easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
Key business parks and industrial estates providing local jobs include Manor Royal in Crawley, where 600 companies are based. Horsham has Albion Way Industrial Estate and Parsonage Way and Chichester has Terminus Road and Stockbridge Road Industrial Estates. So opportunities abound for work in engineering, manufacturing, construction, transport, and logistics roles among others.
Great Places to Live
West Sussex offers attractive towns and villages surrounded by beautiful countryside. Chichester is the county town, a cathedral city packed with Tudor and Georgian architecture. Horsham and Crawley offer affordable property and quality of life. Picturesque Arundel sits below its medieval castle on the river Arun.
Along the coast, you have vibrant Worthing and arty, foodie Brighton which borders the county. Plus villages like Amberley, Petworth, and Hurstpierpoint each with their own unique appeal.
With its excellent schools, low crime rate, transport links, and abundance of green space, West Sussex is understandably popular with families. Buying a shared ownership home in West Sussex lets you get a foot on the property ladder in this sought-after location.
The traditional villages of the South Downs like Steyning and Storrington have cottages, tearooms, and independent shops with bags of rural charm. Mid-Sussex towns such as Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill offer smart new developments good for commuters. Along the coastal strip, Hove, Lancing, and Littlehampton provide seaside living within easy reach of Brighton.
High Performing Schools
West Sussex contains some outstanding schools. At GCSE level in 2018, 50% of pupils achieved a strong pass in English and Maths versus 43% nationally. The best-performing state secondary schools include The Weald, in Billingshurst and Bohunt in Worthing.
Independent schools also thrive here, including Lancing College, whose alumni include novelist Evelyn Waugh. Hurstpierpoint College boasts an impressive 130 acres of grounds. TPS Prep School in Worthing takes children from nursery up to year 8.
Some excellent primary schools include Greatham Primary near Pulborough, Thakeham Primary close to Storrington, and St Andrew’s CE Primary in Nuthurst. Buckingham Park Primary Academy in Shoreham excels at bringing out the best in pupils.
With grammar, comprehensive, private, and specialist schools, parents can find the perfect match for their child’s needs.
Culture, Shopping and Food
West Sussex offers a thriving arts and culture scene. The annual Brighton Festival showcases theatre, dance, classical music, and literary events. Pallant House Gallery in Chichester houses an acclaimed collection of 20th-century British art.
There’s fabulous shopping too, from designer boutiques in Brighton’s Lanes to main high street brands in towns like Worthing and Crawley. Don’t miss Horsham’s twice weekly markets held since 1250!
Chichester’s shops range from fashion emporiums to antique arcades. While Arundel offers curios, crafts, and homewares in historic buildings. For retail therapy under one roof, there are malls like County Mall in Crawley.
With fertile farmlands and seaside access, West Sussex excels at local produce. Sample fresh seafood along the coast, cheese from small dairy farms, or wine from vineyards in the South Downs. Stop for afternoon tea at one of the county’s many quaint tea rooms to experience the flavours.
Outdoor Pursuits
Lovers of the outdoors are spoiled for choice in West Sussex. The jewel is undoubtedly the South Downs National Park with its hiking trails and breathtaking scenery. The beaches along the West Sussex coastline offer swimming, sailing, kite surfing, and relaxing by the sea.
Walkers and cyclists appreciate the scenic trails around Chichester Harbour, through Kingley Vale Nature Reserve near Chichester, and along the River Arun. Plus there’s wild water swimming, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding, golf, and more to enjoy.
The South Downs Way is a 100-mile trail along the chalk ridge with Bronze Age burial mounds and Iron Age hill forts. For family days out, sites like Knepp Castle, Parham House, and Cowdray Park provide space to roam and learn about nature and heritage. With so many ways to spend your leisure time surrounded by nature, the West Sussex lifestyle is hard to beat.
Easy to Get Around
West Sussex enjoys excellent transport connections. Fast trains from Hayward’s Heath and Three Bridges run directly to central London stations. Brighton mainline serves the east coast up to Peterborough with London just an hour away.
The M23/A23 provides a road link between Brighton and the M25 orbital motorway. The A27/A259 hugs the coast between Hampshire and East Sussex.
Local bus services operated by companies like Metrobus, Compass Travel, Stagecoach, and Countryliner connect towns to outlying villages. And bike trails like the DownsLink let you explore by pedal power.
Whether you drive, cycle, bus, or train, everything in the county is within easy reach. And with acres of beautiful scenery to gaze at along the way, getting around is part of the pleasure.
Active Community Life
Besides its natural attractions, West Sussex offers a warm, welcoming community spirit. Each town and village has its own summer fêtes, festivals, and events calendar ranging from beer, food, and music festivals in Horsham and Crawley to the Chichester Festivities arts programme.
For families, there are events like the Arundel Festival and Worthing Children’s Parade. Shoreham Airport has a popular annual airshow. And local carnivals, concerts, and shows provide non-stop entertainment.
Active retirees enjoy U3A groups offering everything from languages, crafts, and walking to current affairs discussions. Sports teams and facilities cater to all levels with options like the K2 Crawley climbing centre through to sailing and watersports on the coast.
Newcomers quickly feel part of the local community thanks to the friendly Sussex spirit.
West Sussex, A Wonderful Way of Life
For those seeking an enviable blend of coast, country, culture, and community just a stone’s throw from London, West Sussex represents an alluring option. With its rich heritage, natural beauty, and modern opportunities, this special corner of England consistently charms newcomers and locals alike. The West Sussex lifestyle promises activity, scenery, and amenities for all ages.
