Overview

Pleasant enough short visit to the Historical old market town of Midhurst, West Sussex. There is NO record in the doomsday book, but early axes, flints, and other items, show that people were living in the area long before then. It seems early records show the origins of town from about the time of the 1066 Norman conquest. Then king William 1st granted Roger de Montgomery a large portion of West Sussex to his friend. During this time the area became known as “the rape of Arundel”. To stop any rebellion, he built a number of wooden fortifications, until they were replaced by stone buildings, such as the castle. During 1103, we see the first mention of Midhurst. In 1106 Savaria Fitz Cana (Fitzcane) was given land in Midhurst. This Norman castle of St Ann’s dates from around this period, and This presence encouraged local traders to set up stalls around it, and so the small town at Midhurst appeared. And then a weekly market was set up. Midhurst was first recorded in 1186, then known as Middeherst, some saying this meant “Middle wooded hill”. The castle, parish church of St Mary Magdalene and St Denis are the only structures left now of this time period. The parish church, originally a chapel, was dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. Then about 1216 Midhurst chapel was part of the property of the Benedictine nunnery, but this was suppressed in 1536, and it was handed to the Fitzwilliam family. The small town then developed around the castle, and the now regular market took off, first mentioned in a reference in 1223. On market days, country folk would bring their produce to sell at the open air stalls, but soon not only foodstuffs were being sold, but now other trades were set up here, such as wool, cloth and leather, which of course brought in other traders, such as weavers, whitening, quilt-making and cobbling. Over time, this allowed expansion to take place, and so in the thirteen hundreds, merchants built themselves new houses and shops on North street. During this period the Angel Hotel was built as a coaching house, and fifty years later, many Pilgrim Fathers made use of the hotel. The Spread Eagle inn dates back to 1430. During the 1520,s Sir David Owen constructed the building of Cowdray house, and this work continued after 1529, when it was sold to Sir William Fitzwilliam. This family had a good relationship with the royal family, and benefitted greatly during 1536 onwards when the Dissolution of the Monastries took place. They invested vast amounts of money to the estate, so by the time of 1540 when the castle was finished, they had 200 servants, and huge numbers of family members, and this required a lot of food for all. On a daily meal, thirty dishes were being served for up to 500 people at a time. During 1538 king Henry 8th was entertained here, then in 1591 Queen Elizabeth 1st was also a guest. In 1540, the Market hall was constructed. Then in later years, such as 1770, Capabilty Brown redesigned the gardens at Cowdray. In 1793, a fire partially destroyed the castle, as well as an early Tudor house on the estate, and it stands now as a ruin in memory of those days. In 1860, Midhurst introduced Gas lightening to the town. During 2007 Cowdray castle re-opened after refurbishment had taken place to make it safe which allowed visitors to come and visit the ruins. Today, the thriving country town in the heart of the South Downs has many independent retail shops along west street, red lion st, church hill, knockhundred row and north street, with boutique shops, jewellers, clothing, footware and homeware stores. there are hotels and restaurants, and a few cafes. Guy Fawkes worked at Cowdray house, an episode of Ruth Rendalls "Wixford" was filmed here, and the star of the TV drama, Downton Abbey, Hugh Bonneville lives in Midhurst, and was recently appointed in 2019 as Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex. ======================================================================== now would be a good time to check the few photos we have for you. SET your Satnav to. South Street, Midhurst, GU29 9NH. As you arrive at Midhurst, continue to drive along Chichester Street, and up to South Street, and you will pass the Spread Eagle Inn with parts of its building of 1430 Go straight across at the cross roads, into South Street, and the lovely old black and white houses ahead of you, with the Swan inn ahead. ( PHOTO 1 ) Drive on through the narrow street, Red Lion Street, to head for Knockhundred Row. ( PHOTO 2 ) and admire the Town clerks office ( PHOTO 3 ) Turn RIGHT at the junction on Rumbolds Hill and join North street, and its few shops that offer local traders the chance to tempt you with their wares. ( PHOTO 4 ) DRIVE ON for a few yards to the island. Go straight across, and drive to next island. TURN RIGHT on the island, for the notice board for Cowdray. Follow this narrow road to the bend. drive round the bend towards the junction ahead, BUT take the slip road to your right on this narrow road. The ruins are on your right, but there is nowhere to park, so at the corner, stop quickly to see the ruins and the old buildings ahead. You cannot get in this way, so admire, take your photos, and turn around. ( PHOTOS 5 and 6 ) Go back to the island, turn left, and return into Midhurst.

Transport & Parking

Difficult to park as on street parking around the old centre.

Access

Easy enough at the old centre of town, and it’s only this area that’s worth visiting anyway.

Toilets

Staff

Photos