The Sussex Border Walk - Part Seventeen: The Charm of Aldwick

Once it was rural farm land, it is now a popular seaside village adjacent to Bognor Regis with extensive beaches. I am passing through on my Sussex Border Walk and take a look around.
Related video: The Ship Inn Community video: • The Ship Inn, Aldwick
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[@KevinJacksonbranding]

Beats me ! anyone no why some people give these videos a thumbs down when these are fresh , pleasant , interesting , great quality , non political videos ? keep up the great work Richard

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much - sadly one cannot satisfy everyone.

[@denniskavanagh3075]

I've never been to Aldwick, so thank you Richard for taking me there. I am pleased to hear that the local community are attempting to buy the local pub, we are losing so many of these quintessential elements of life in England.

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, I wish them luck with the venture too.

[@dogsbody49]

I loved the video Richard. My Mum lived in Aldwick for a couple of years in the early 1930's & moved back there at the start of the war with her parents where they lived in a large house opposite St Richard's church called Dalkeith. The vicarage was next door & lived in by the first vicar of the church the Reverend Charles Mosse (Whose Great Granddaughter is the novelist Kate Mosse). They were living there at the time of D-day & she remembered all the tanks & other army vehicle's trundling up & down the road & turning the grass verges into mud. She went to a private school in Barrack Lane called Apsley house school. She was horrified years later when she had the chance to move back there at the number of lovely large house which had sold off their large gardens for development. She remembered the likes of Lady Diana Cooper who had a house cow which she lead around on a rope & would tether out on the pound. Her son John Julius Norwich would ride around the village on the bonnet of their Rolls Royce. They lived in Barrack Lane. Also the composer Eric Coates lived with his wife Phyllis in Aldwick Avenue, My Granny was their housekeeper for a while.

[@missmaryhdream6560]

Good afternoon, I do adore the out and about sections, distracting me, from Sunday lunch, but much needed look at our beautiful Home, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Thank you dear man.

[@mttfboy]

That's why we love your videos Richard, so full of history and wonderful strolls. Perhaps you can go back to the beach at low tide so we could actually see the historic structure buried in the ocean floor. Cheers :)

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

I second this.

[@RichardVobes]

I need to get my timings better! :)

[@richardpurvis8999]

Better preparation means better Videos! This Sussex series has Become your best work. Look Forward every day to more of Your excellent work. Thanks.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks for the praise.

[@PortsladeBySea]

Prior to my retirement from the NHS I use to cycle from Bognor to Pagham, via Aldwick, to assess clients. It’s a lovely part of Sussex and still has a community feel about it. It’s great to hear that the pub has been saved. With so many retired people living in the area it’s essential that pubs, shops and libraries continue to exist, otherwise we will see ever increasing rates of loneliness, depression and addictions. It seems ironic that in a time, and area, where many people feel financially secure that mentally they feel so vulnerable 🤭

[@shirleylynch4420]

Fascinating as always. Wonder how many bricks and stones were used in the building of the huge church. Love the thatched cottage and the beech huts. Beautiful walk along the beech. Sea was very calm today. Thank you again for sharing.

[@mandyclements9668]

Great video, thank you. Aldwick does indeed have an interesting history. Barrack Lane used to house a military barrack when there was concern about an invasion during the napoleonic wars. The lodge houses you saw were two of four from The Grange, or Aldwick Grange, which is still standing, albeit divided into flats. Bognor Regis got its royal name when George V recuperated at Craigwell House, which has sadly been demolished.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Many for the extra info.

[@justinejones4527]

Great video, thanks Richard, I didn;t know about the mulberry harbours in the sand.

[@alisonjones5163]

Thank you Richard. This is where I grew up so great to see. Barrack Lane with those lovely big houses had a night club! Look forward to Pagham, will share this to their Facebook. Keep doing what you do, it provides a welcome distraction at the moment!

[@RichardVobes]

Fabulous - so pleased you are enjoying it.

[@thegreenman5368]

Another great vid Richard 📹🤓

[@RichardVobes]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@merietgenealogy]

Rowland Rank bought large areas of farm land north of Fish Lane in Aldwick where he had orchards & flower gardens, he also build housing. My father worked in his flower gardens between 1932 & 1936 - walking there & back from Sefter Farm each working day. Rowland was the brother of Joseph Arthur Rank - the famous movie mogul.

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

How interesting.

[@RichardVobes]

Wow - how fascinating. Thanks for that.

[@merietgenealogy]

In addition there is a Hammond Barn community centre next to the Hammond roundabout in Bognor which is sponsored by a legacy of Rowland Rank.

[@ramibu239]

Ooooo! Thatched cottage!!!😍 That one was a pretty spectacular one for sure! I was amazed & intrigued at all of those different chimneys coming out of that "hunting lodge" (or as you said, what now sat in its place). Loved that walk along that old stone wall w/ the tall trees...very pretty!

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

Yes beautifully made.

[@RichardVobes]

An intriguing lane, that must have been once the boundary of a Victorian Estate, I believe.

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

Very interesting today. Especially about the former Military building on the beach. Till next time.

[@michaelmiller641]

Early on in your video it looked as if you passed a building with a blue plaque. Lovely videos, Richard, by the way!

[@nandrews10000]

I posted this a few days ago but it seems to have got lost. openplaques.org/places/gb/areas/aldwick/plaques

[@bobbyx27]

Great video Richard. We have a couple of substantially large mulberry harbour sections off the coast here at Southend. Presumably they sank or ran aground on a sand bank. Must have been an incredible site to see them all being towed out to sea.

[@mrsnrub9780]

If memory serves me, the pub closed and reopened a couple of times during my stint living there (which I wanna say was 2012? 13?) and no one ever seemed to be in it - not even on a Saturday. They built the little Morrisons just before I left - which *I* personally thought was a handy little shop and much more densely stocked than the two Co-op stores. The Inglenook is only a 10 minute bike ride away anyway and well worth the effort getting to. The taps are always amazing.

[@Surrey360]

Amazing video, great to see you from across the pond!

[@RichardVobes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryanvids1]

There is also a Phoenix caisson at Pagham. Make sure to see the D Day memorial stone next to the yachting club

[@tensils]

Loved it , especially the Pevsner reference. My late father was in the Manchester regiment in WWII. In 1944 they were positioned somewhere along here as they practised beach landings ready for D Day . He was one those soldiers that suddenly ' disappeared ' overnight on June 6th as he sailed across to Normandy. I wonder now if he was in Ardwick ? Hope so

[@johnbyrne2756]

I can certainly confirm that D-day 'rehersals' were carried out on the Bracklesham/East Wittering section of South coast approximately 8 miles to the west of Aldwick..

[@tensils]

@@johnbyrne2756 thanks for that 😁 next time we are down I’ll definitely explore these places. My Dad didn’t know it then but a branch of his Manchester family would settle near Worthing and he would return to the area many times.

[@MrGreatplum]

Very interesting Richard - that church is definitely one of the last gothic revival churches - the clue to its late build are the squareish side windows. There are a number of overly large churches such as this built in 1930s suburban sprawl - but not many of stone.

[@Surrey360]

Thank you for the share!

[@RichardVobes]

My pleasure!

[@Stringtrees]

Very interesting. I do hope the community Pub is a success. I must go and have a look at the Mulberry harbour remnants. I suspect that they may have broken free in the stormy weather that preceded the departure of the fleet. I've never been to that part of West Sussex but it looks lovely. I am pretty sure my Grandad was stationed on the Sussex coast during the war. He died 10 years before I was born and my dad didn't seem to know much about his wartime story. He'd have been around 35 years old. All I know is that he was in the Royal Artillery.

[@turbostream7925]

Another great video for us dear viewer to enjoy, so thankyou for showing us. I shall be sad when you have to turn inland as I will greatly miss the snippets of the sea.

[@RichardVobes]

Funnily enough, I am looking forward to turning inland. :)

[@cooper68ns]

I am not sure about england but in nova Scotia churches are closing and consolidating every time you turn around.

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

Same in California USA unless it's a tiny congregation.

[@RichardVobes]

It won't be long in England, I am sorry to say.

[@PortsladeBySea]

Sadly many ancient churches in Sussex are being closed, or taken over by the Churches Preservation Trust. For many people the modern God is consumerism and GDP growth 🤭

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

@@PortsladeBySea I agree

[@lindagates9150]

I have enjoyed this journey with you and I also have enjoyed reading the comments written by my fellow loyal subscribers. To all of you a big thumbs up 👍. When you compare the stone church to the building off to the side there is no doubt in my mind which architect I would hire . How sad, that in the 1930’s his work didn’t suit the person that you mentioned in your tour around the church. I still have my confirmation bible that I was given in 1963, it was on reading it as a critical thinking adult that I shifted from believer to agnostic and then on to atheism I must admit that reading the King James Version didn’t accomplish that journey in my development by it self. I don’t know that there isn’t some higher power but it certainly isn’t the gods of any religion that I have made a practice to learn about since 1979! The bible resides on my bedside table I pick it up periodically to refresh my memory so that in conversation with certain people I am able to ask questions like “do you believe that you can be healed by spit” would you be content to live in slavery under the rules as set out in your bible? I am glad to say I am not a believer not one bit sorry to say so. My son attended a elementary school in the 1990’s (very close to home) that had weekly religious classes for the Roman Catholic children and classes for “others” in which speakers were brought in from various sects. My son credits this experience with the early development of his critical thinking ability. enough of that! you have inspired me to plan a walk through the beautiful Kennebecassis river valley through Saint John to Rothesay and all the small communities on to the town of Sussex. On second thought at my age it would be better to hire someone to sail or motor up the river ,much easier on the fallen bones of my feet as well the arthritic bones that are scattered around my body. I look forward to seeing your next production, thank you for sharing your journeys with us.

[@tectorama]

(Alan) ... I have to agree with Pevsner regarding this church. I find it a depressing looking building, typical of the period when it was built. We also have part of a Mulberry Harbour in the Thames Estuary at Southend.

[@JimNicholls]

Was that a blue plaque on the wall that you walked past at about 7.24? Could be of interest, maybe?

[@RichardVobes]

Hahaha - I totally missed it. :)

[@ramibu239]

I had to go back & look...it was pretty hidden by all the ivy/bushes!😅 Good eye Jim!!!😁👍

[@nandrews10000]

Could it be one of these, openplaques.org/places/gb/areas/aldwick/plaques. Another interesting and fact filled episode - thanks.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

I loved that church. Beautiful stone work.Such a change from older churches, which were often brick and flint. Good luck to the locals with their pub project.

[@LetsWanderuk]

I always wondered what that funny little building on the beach was for! I have looked at it for years and always thought it looked like an amazing place to write and record songs. Looking forward to the Pagham vid, I went there to film last summer and it was beautiful. Tiny fish in the pools, Samphire growing in the saltmarsh, the wild birds too, they were amazing.

[@FredWilbury]

Aldwick is on my list 👌

[@leslienicholson3372]

keep up the brilliant vids, my wife loves your vids because she grew up in Steyning and when she met me in 1962 i took her to Devon. She has introduced me to your vids and of course now im hooked, as i come from Coulsdon, and a motorcycle rocker i also love Brighton.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much

[@johnbyrne2756]

ON THE BORDER (verse 22 of ???) Old Aldwick steeped in Sussex charm appears to know no bounds Yet new amongst it caught his eye when Pevsner did the rounds As well as being a science architecture is an art And judgement driven by the head can be ruled by the heart. JB20

[@RichardVobes]

Poor old Pevsner - he was very much a stick in the mud.

[@EdEditz]

Have a happy newyear Richard. With loads of walks for you and us to enjoy. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@RichardVobes]

Happy new year!

[@imranzazai7404]

Very beautiful.

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you! 😊

[@CharlieCooper3101]

Another Great sussex border walk video Richard, a very nice church i thought. Some lovely houses. Looks like a lovely little village another place I'd like to go. Let's hope the pub can get going soon. A nice beach aswell and how interesting there's still two mullbry harbours from D-Day I would love to have a look at them. And the viewing point looks so cool would be nice to look out to sea in there.Very good Richard.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Charlie.

[@TheFragg82]

Your right about the Tower on the beach that was used as a lookout, and the Army gun battery actually ran along the front from the property next door. On the Otherside (Boat pound side) anti-aircraft guns were in place.

[@suznet]

7:25, what was the Blue Plaque about?? did you miss it.

[@RichardVobes]

I did miss it!

[@karlafas]

Hello Richard!I'm brazilian and I've been living in Florianopolis Island for 18 years, and here we have sand in the beach. i think so interesting Aldwick beach with stones . I cant imagine been there at summer, lay down on that stones. Anyway, thank you. I just love your videos to make be possible travel to england whitout get out our home. Thank you

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, we are very used to lying on the beach with stones. But would love soft sand!

[@marcintime]

Another great video, Richard. This Sussex border walk is a terrific idea! So many lovely places I never got to see when living in Worthing that I'm discovering for the very first time. That thatched cottage is a dream!

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, a lovely cottage, I agree.

[@RingerLuca651]

I always liked St Richard’s Church, a recent church, but still built in an old style and material. Only if churches were built like this today!

[@johnbyrne2756]

Is the existing stock even being added to?

[@richardayres2949]

Thanks Richard, I saw you filming outside the Ship pub so interesting to see the output. A number of mulberry harbours broke free, there is one off Pagham but a lot further out to see and yet another to the east of chichester harbour entrance. Keep up the great coverage.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much, Richard. When people spot me filming, I am often waiting for them to tell me to clear off, thinking I am surveying or something. :)

[@aniaphotouk]

Great video Richard, I used to live not far from there

[@stevegee7593]

The Mulberry Harbours were made all round the southern coast. I dived on on of the Cornish coast. The dive boats are not allowed to anchor on the harbour, so we had to dive down and swim towards it. Can you imagine swimming across a flat seabed to come across this structure 30/40 foot high. Also the house on the beach could have been turn into a coast guard station, until many such stations were sold off around 1979/80 when the Coast Guard’s were reduced.

[@RichardVobes]

Fascinating - I bet you have a few stories to tell!

[@677236]

Great video about Aldwick where we now live. You passed our house in Barrack Lane and missed the blue badge on our neighbour's house which used to be the Hundred House of Aldwick which was a court house as I understand it back in the 15/16th century. Re the Ship Inn. It's true the community were trying to raise the money to buy it back but due to Covid sadly this is no longer possible and had to abandon our efforts as obviously asking people to invest at these difficult times proved difficult. So sadly another convenience store will be opening in the near future. Looking forward to learning more about the area. Thank you.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much for the extra info, Karen. Happy new year!

[@whosbear]

You do unearth some interesting information. Well done.

[@jeanblemings5352]

A very interesting video. Loved the church, thatched cottage and walled lane. A friend of mine has recently moved to Aldwick and once lockdowns lifted and public transport viable again I cannot wait to visit and do some exploring myself. Thanks for whetting my appetite!

[@nigelsaunders7468]

Richard Love the Sussex boarder videos , especially the Bognor one. I live in South London but Bognor is my second home ( Butlins ) in normal circumstances I would get down to west Sussex probably About five times a year. I too have done videos on Butlins since the early 90"s. Keep up the great work and thank you for making my days go quicker during these strange times.

[@davidmills636]

Fascinating - thank you

[@jimrford]

So sad to see what become of the Ship, spent many a happy hour there. I grew up in Bognor and lived in Aldwick for a while, so much I diddnt know thankyou for this. I now live on the East coast of Sweden not been back for a while was nice to see the Beach again.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks for watching, Jim.

[@melaniesheppard778]

Ah! You came to Aldwick! So sad not to have bumped into you whist walking our dog Sid! Never knew about the search lights! My Uncle shared stories about as a child going to West Park and there were tanks, and, I'm sure, he said Canadian soldiers? I must ask him to relay the story again....I really love your videos, thanks ever so much Richard.

[@richardgeorge8612]

yes there was a barracks built in the1800s nearly facing todays pond its on a site called sussex world

[@CosmicClaire99]

Thankyou very much for this excellent video Richard. Our family lived here from the sixties to only a couple of years ago. As you say there is lots more that could be added. I loved the shots of old Barrack Lane (New Barrack Lane went off on a loop to the new houses) and I've been to St Richard's church. I was very glad to hear about the community buy out of the Ship Inn which was where I had my first drink in a pub (under age I have to confess! Blame my older brother haha!) There are not only shops opposite but another parade at Rose Green a bit further along from the church, so another convenience store really wasn't needed as you mention. You should visit Craigweil and the Aldwick Bay Estate. Private roads but I don't think the residents would mind a visitor on foot with a video camera! I saw the Mulberry Harbour for the first time when I was down visiting family only a couple of years ago. I didn't realise there was a second one, the tide wasn't low enough. I was hoping that you would show Marine Gardens which is behind the beach huts, still a beautifully kept formal sunken ornamental garden, presumably the tamarisk trees between the huts and the garden were planted to protect it from the wind. Incidentally when I was there last year the tamarisks didn't look any different from my childhood memories of them sixty years ago!

[@hArtyTruffle]

That’s the church where we had Dads funeral service.

[@skasteve6528]

The optimistic German plan to invade Btritain, envisioned the ninth army landing at Bognor. Those searchlights would have been useful if Germans had won the air war.

[@juniajosh3858]

Debilitated..good descriptive word! I should remember to use it! Still it is well made, which I'm sure is something he couldn't complain about...and these things can mellow with time. My grandfather was in the home guard and when I was little I would call him 'Mr Mannering' , which would annoy him!

[@RichardVobes]

Good one, Josh.

[@gabby.s.1235]

Mulberry Bridge is in Pagham harbor.

[@melaniesheppard778]

The Blue plaque at 7:25 reads: 'On this site, from about the mid-14th Century, stood the HUNDRED HOUSE OF ALDWICK Courthouse and centre for local government for tithings in the area from Aldwick to Pallant (Chichester) and across to Slindon in the east. It was evidently rebuilt after 1617 and probably fell into disuse following the reform of local government in 1894. It was demolished about 1930. See History of Pagham by Lindsay Fleming. This plaque was installed in 2002 by Aldwick Parish Council' A Blue Plaque in Barrack Lane reads: THE POUND HOUSE An Act of 1563 was an early step towards national poor relief in England. A later Act in 1723 empowered churchwardens to provide poor houses or work houses. On this site in the 1700s stood a cottage called the Pound House, possibly named after the nearby pound for straying animals. The churchwardens of Pagham leased it in 1747 as an additional poor house. The 1851 census records a Richard Williams and family living here. The cottage was closed in 1913 as unfit for human habitation. See Lindsay Fleming's History of Pagham and the Bognor Post of 11th March 1967. This plaque was installed in 2003 by Aldwick Parish Council'

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks for this.

[@newfishbourneops]

Hi Richard - love this series. Shouldn't this one be added to the playlist though?

[@RichardVobes]

It should

[@SidBonkers51]

I believe that it was actually Aldwick that King George V was sent to recuperate after he was diagnosed with COPD and bronchitis. Being within the boundaries of Bognor it was Bognor that received the Regis tittle although Aldwick is closer to Pagham than Bognor. ps I only found out recently that Bognor is one of the oldest recorded Anglo Saxon place names in Sussex - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bognor_Regis

[@lisatruthful1369]

The "Church" is ugly, that church captures the Universal church. 1935 ... The pub looks like the Barracks, that is not an old pub, Taken over by M.O.D. Will have to do some digging, love the cottage, old England 76 years ago.... Thankyou

[@credenza1]

People from European/Anglo cultures are punctilious in stepping aside from their cultural religious heritage. It seems to be an admirable trait - to demur from affectation of piety. Yet other cultures embrace their religious stories, despite those being just as (if not far more) a-historical and frankly physically impossible than Judeao-Christian lore. There is no apology for surreal logic, no attempt to reconcile inherent contradictions. I started going to church. It was the root of my culture and I wanted to see if it resonated. I found unexpected rewards, music and communal singing not being the least. I suppose that many priests are skeptical about their dogma, just as non-Western cultures would be about their lore when put to strict analysis. There is no reason not to wet one's feet in the waters of one's culture just to pre-empt a scruple that would never be imposed upon other traditions. If you want to go to church, for whatever reason, do so. It is not wrong, it is not hypocritical, it is heritage and tradition and community.

[@RichardVobes]

People in the UK have a choice (in normal years) for sure.

[@joedavies6624]

Hi Richard, down Barrack Lane, towards the end, holds fisherman cottages, they are very haunted or the one I lived in was., Also now, who owns the cottages has rights to the beach further down (can't remember exact details but it's on the deeds. Also where the ship pub is, I've been told of a smugglers tunnel going towards dark lane, may go under the walk path you went down when you mentioned the lodge?

[@RichardVobes]

Fascinating stuff - thanks for that.

[@credenza1]

If St Richard's were surrounded by a lawn and graveyard, it might be more appealing. The tarmac does not enhance its qualities.

[@RichardVobes]

I agree there.

[@Ferda1964]

So the Allies were ready to attack the French? I guess it's still part of the British psyche to view the French as the traditional enemy 😁 Richard another wonderful show , thanks .

[@RichardVobes]

I think the island mentality is about being wary and ready to protect oneself from all invaders.

[@Ferda1964]

@@RichardVobes as should be the case😁

[@fionabarry212]

Reduce road speed in these villages essential for human safety.

[@johnbyrne2756]

ON THE BORDER (verse 23 of ???) There must remain those certain things mere money cannot buy The very wording 'PRIVATE BEACH' is something to decry With access to his coastal strip maintained at any cost Preserve of every human being from King to great unwashed. JB20

[@sarahstanley1226]

Are you talking about Aldwick Bay Beach? If so: The sea up to a certain level along the beach belongs to the Crown. Above that, with no public facilities, is a private beach. The residents/shareholders pay for and carry out the cleaning, clearing of bins and maintenance of hedges, litter picking and maintenance and placement of the benches and boardwalk. It is part of the Natural England coastal path, so ramblers have access. It is also a place of Special Scientific Interest and the shareholders are bound by those restrictions and regulations. To my knowledge, nobody has ever been asked to leave, but the residents would like to keep it litter-free, drug-free and safe and suitable for families and dogs. It comes with a price tag and the only thing the residents ask is that you don't park on the roads or verges, which are also maintained by the shareholders. There are no facilities, and there is nothing there you can't get in a dozen other places locally.

[@johnbyrne2756]

Thank you for your extensive reply. I refer to all such beaches anywhere around the British coastline. If a walker is forced to wade through seawater at high tide to pass through a certain stretch of coastline, this would be akin to a public footpath being closed twice a day. However, if as you say walkers can pass through the upper 'Private' section when necessary, there can hardly be an arguement. Although this would indicate the term carries no real weight and is therefor rendered fairly meaningless....