From a tiny population of just 250, this pretty village was a favourite with royalty, is one of the most expensive places to rent a beach hut in Britain – and has seaside charm by the bucket (and spade) full
With thatched cottages, a stunning beach where you can walk dogs and ride horses into the waves, and the South Downs as a dramatic backdrop – the ancient village of Ferring has seaside charm in abundance.
Many haven’t even have heard of the pretty coastal spot nestled between Worthing and Littlehampton that boasts a population of just 4,500. But this tiny village has a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age, was mentioned in the Domesday Book as Feringe, and was where the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, who chose to abdicate in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, spent a few weeks in the summer a decade earlier to be with married paramour, Mrs Freda Dudley-Ward.
That beach is still one of the village’s main attractions, even though it’s a quintessential Sussex mix of shingle and pebbles. In fact, it’s so popular, Ferring is the seventh most expensive place in the UK to rent a beach hut, and one can sell for up to £40,000.
Beach huts. (Image: Andrew Hasson)
Horse-riding is popular along the beach at low tide, and the coastal pathway towards East Preston and Rustington or east to Goring’s Greensward makes for a fantastic walk with the reward of a picnic at the end in the summer.
There is much more to this Saxon village than a sumptuous bucket-and-spade lifestyle – though that appeals to many families and sports enthusiasts who can’t wait to get out in the water, stroll along the shore and enjoy the fresh, salty air.
For such a small place, Ferring punches well above its weight culturally, historically and has a thriving culinary scene and community spirit.
The village can be traced back to when flint tools were found in around 1000 BC, and Bronze Age axe heads were discovered in 1983. In the Iron Age, residents build a hill fort on Highdown, and the Romans settled here later – remains of a bath house and cremation urns have also been unearthed here.
Very old building in the village. (Image: Andrew Hasson)
The name is Saxon following the -ing termination widely used throughout Sussex – the land of the south Saxons – and which means ‘people of.’ The leader of this village was Ferra. The village was recorded as Ferryng in the first written record of it in 765 – where land was granted for the building of a monasterium or church centre, and woodland donated to a bishop in 791 to ‘support the church of St Andrew’. That Saxon church could be one of the oldest churches in Sussex – presumably with the current stone Norman church built on the original church ruins which was named after the patron saint of the village. It sits on a very slight hill in the old part of Ferring surrounded by 17th- and 18th-century thatched cottages. Look closer at a dozen cottages and farmhouses of the same period dotted around and you can see they mark the old hamlets of East Ferring, Franklands Green and Hangleton. The previously teeny population of 250 tripled in the 1920s after the land previously owned by the Henty family for more than 200 years – totalling three-quarters of the village – was sold for development. As more and more people from the capital and north wanted to take advantage of the greater transport links to the south coast, Ferring’s popularity soared.
Ocean Drive, West Drive, Ferringham Lane and South Drive were created, the latter of which now has houses with gardens out to Patterson’s Walk and the beach, offering chic and under-the-radar modern coastal living.
SHOPPING
The Loft Gallery
For a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it village, Ferring has a great mix of small stores as well
as supermarkets and a garden centre. The Loft Gallery is a particular favourite selling original art, handmade jewellery, sculpture and homeware.
It is run by Jane and Simon who create many of the gifts for sale. Jane makes bags from reclaimed leather and fabrics, accessories and homeware while Simon is a talented photographer and crafts lamps and works with wood. The Loft Gallery showcases other local artists’ and makers’ work.
There’s a large selection of prints, cards, furniture, and trinkets which make the perfect unique gift. Pop in and you’ll usually find Jane sewing and Dave at work in the Gallery.
lgot.co.uk
Lizzie Webb (Image: Jim Holden)
FAMOUS FACES
In the 1980s and 1990s, TV-am’s fitness guru Lizzie Webb, known to millions as ‘Mad Lizzie’, inspired a nation of bleary-eyed couch potatoes to get moving. Lizzie,77, moved to Ferring four years ago.
‘We were living near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, but I’d always wanted to live by the sea so downsizing to the south coast seemed the obvious move,’ Lizzie told Sussex Life at the time. ‘We’ve swapped a huge house for a newly renovated chalet bungalow – and the sea is just at the end of the road.
‘And I love walking by the sea at Littlehampton and exploring all the beautiful attractions in the area. People in Ferring asked if I would start a dance class, so now I’m running regular sessions at my local church hall and having a wonderful time.’
BUSINESS
GWCA Solicitors
Whether you’re moving house, have been injured, want to make a will or need expert legal advice on anything, GWCA Solicitors have offices in nearby Worthing, Steyning, Rustington, Lancing, Hove, Goring, Broadwater and Arundel. Their team of solicitors provide sound and unbiased advice and will work with you to overcome any problems, protect your interests and to profit from new opportunities. They will do their utmost to accommodate your needs and if you’re busy or can’t get out of work, they will visit you at your home or workplace.
Services on offer include family law, personal injury, commercial/business law, conveyancing, wills and probates and much more.
gwca.co.uk
Wartime pillbox on the seafront. (Image: Andrew Hasson)
MUST DO
The Pillbox
No visit to Ferring would be complete without exploring the type 26 Pillbox on the beach at Patterson’s Walk. The concrete box was built during World War II as part of Britain’s coastal defence network called The Coastal Crust and was surrounded by mines. The Ferring Pillbox has been fully restored, and you can go inside the 6ftx6ft space with concrete walls that are a metre thick. This year the Pillbox will be open from 10.30am-3pm on Saturdays April 4, May 9, June 6, Wednesday July 29 and Sunday August 30. There will be talks on the history of the Pillbox at 11am and 2pm.
ferringhistorygroup.co.uk/pill-box-restoration
MUST SEE
Ferring Country Centre
Get up close to nature and animals at Ferring Country Centre – a 32-acre site run by an independent charity which has a garden centre, café, soft play area and farm. Book a riding lesson, or therapeutic riding session for those with learning or physical disabilities to improve motor skills, strength, balance, and confidence, or visit Dales Farm. Follow the nature trail to discover all the friendly farm animals, have fun playing in the sandpit or get competitive on the go-carts. There is plenty to do for all ages on a day out and the entry fee (from £7.95, under-twos go free) also helps provide life-changing experiences for people with learning disabilities, many of whom help out on the farm.
ferringcountrycentre.org
The Bluebird Cafe on the beach. (Image: Andrew Hasson)
FOOD AND DRINK
Walk through the village and you can dine around the world with a vibrant mix of cafés and restaurants serving the best of British plus delicious international dishes.
Built in 1928, The Bluebird Café in South Drive is a must visit, dog-friendly eatery on the beach that is open seven days a week all year round, handing out refreshing ice creams in the summer and warming hot chocolate in the winter. Serving brunch, burgers, salads, sandwiches and jacket potatoes, the seaside café has an extensive menu that accommodates vegan, veggie and gluten-free diets. But its seafront location is honoured with a seafood selection that includes traditional fish and chips with mushy peas, salt-and-pepper squid in Bloody Mary sauce and the catch of the day.
thebluebirdcafeferring.co.uk
For delicious snacks with a side order of charm, head to The Orange Tree on Sea Lane where dishes such as pork and leek sausages with caramelised red onion chutney, or a brie and cranberry toastie, is accompanied by a great atmosphere and live music. Dogs are welcome, there are attentive staff, food trucks, beers on tap, and menus that cater for vegetarians, plus jazz singers to keep everyone entertained.
Another popular restaurant is Andalucia tapas and wine bar in Ferring Street, which serves modern Spanish and British food with signature cocktails and beers. From a Sunday paella to share, to Wednesday date nights, and tipsy tapas – three tapas dishes with 90 minutes of unlimited drinks at £40 per person! – there’s something for everyone..andaluciasussex.co.uk