Village History

Fittleworth, with its hamlets of Coates and Little Bognor, sits in a beautiful location within the South Downs National Park. Nearby Bedham and Egdean are partly within Fittleworth, and Stopham with its celebrated vineyard is a close neighbour. The name ‘Fittleworth’ is thought to originate from Saxon ‘Fitela’s worp’ or ‘Fitele’s worth’ (Fitele’s enclosure), with the River Rother an early boundary.

Evidence of life here goes back even earlier, to Mesolithic times. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and interesting places, favoured by artists, writers, actors and musicians, Fittleworth’s medieval origins can be seen in its older buildings set alongside more recent developments.

Places of Interest

  1. Centenary Garden and Village Sign
  2. Bowling Green
  3. Bus stop
  4. Evangelical Free Church
  5. Fittleworth House *
  6. Fittleworth Stores
  7. Fittleworth Village Hall
  1. Fittleworth Village School
  2. Fitzleroi Farm *
  3. Millennium Arch
  4. Recreation Ground
  5. Scout and Guide Headquarters
  6. Sports and Social Club (The Pavilion)

Historic Buildings

  1. Brinkwells; c C17th cottage sub-let by artist Vicat Cole, to Sir Edward Elgar in 1917-1921. Elgar composed chamber work and his Cello Concertothere.
  2. Fittleworth Bridge; the main Bridge over the River Rother dates from C1 6th, a Scheduled Monument. The mill stream bridge was once a ‘clapper’ bridge.
  3. Fittleworth Railway Station; opened in 1859 on the Pulborough to Midhurst LBSCR line. It closed in 1966 and is now a private house.
  4. Fittleworth Water Mill; a corn mill, first recorded in a charter of 1246, rebuilt in stone in 1623. Recreated by JMW Turner, J Constable and other artists.
  5. Fulling Mill Cottage; left unmodernised, the two-bay thatched cottage of c1 575-1625 has been carefully restored. The Fulling Mill no longer exists.
  6. Hesworth Farm; ‘Hesworth Common’ derives from the ‘de Heresworthe’ family who were first noted living at the house a major ‘messuage’ in 1386.
  7. Ivy House; originally a medieval ‘hall house’. Wall paintings of c1 580 that were uncovered, are now on display at the Weald and Downland Museum.
  8. Lee Farmhouse; refers back to Richard de la Lye in 1204-15. The house is recorded built in 1592, shown later as The Manor of Lee. Listed dovecot.
  1. Little Bognor (Crowsole) Watermill; a corn mill, once near a bone mill, is thought to date from C12th, with written lease records from 1659.
  2. Old School; now private housing; Fittleworth’sNational School opened in 1841 (after permission in 1826). The school moved to a new building in 1990.
  3. St Agatha’s Church, Coates; Grade I and already existing in 1100. Little St Agatha’s sits between early C17th Coates Manor and C19th Coates Castle.
  4. St Mary’s Church, Fittleworth; Grade I listed for C11th tower and C13th chancel. Notable too for its peal of bells and Revd Simpson, for bell tuning.
  5. St Mary’s Church, Stopham; Grade I, believed to be not later than C11th, with a Norman arch, interesting windows, one painted glass, C13th font.
  6. The Swan Inn; part C14th with records from 1603. Past visitors’ (Kipling, Parry) notes and interesting paintings. The Grange c1710 impressive nearby.
  7. The Terrace; the number of C17th and C18th cottages has varied over the years, with one demolished in 1902. Featured in many paintings of Fittleworth.
  8. White Horse Cottages, formally The White Horse Inn; mentioned as this in a court case of 1594; nearby is the C16th and later, Old Rectory.