Aldwick is a seaside village and civil parish in the Arun district of West Sussex, England. Bognor Regis is to the east of the village. The ecclesiastical parish, formerly part of Pagham[3] includes the smaller settlement of Rose Green.
There are three churches, a few shops and several miles of beach.
History
Aldwick was formerly part of the older Pagham parish and formerly an important tithing, giving its name to a hundred.[3] It was part of the ancient Rape of Chichester.
20th century
Aldwick had, briefly, a home of the constitutional monarch of the British Empire when King George V convalesced (with his wider family regularly visiting) at Craigweil House in 1929, before its demolition. This stay led directly to Bognor attaining the suffix 'Regis'. The area around this has throwback relatively ornate architecture of the early 20th century and a large conservation area.
Amenities
- Avisford Park in Rose Green has a large field that has a play area, basketball court and seating area as well as a sports pavilion for football matches. In 1988 there were plans to build a large Co-op on this field, but due to strong opposition the plan was dropped. Four houses were built on a minority of the formerly larger site.
- The former Ship public house on Aldwick Street closed in 2014[4] and was subsequently converted to a convenience store.
Churches
Aldwick has three churches: Anglican, dedicated to St Richard of Chichester, built in 1933 (a former iron church existed);[5] Roman Catholic dedicated to St Anthony of Viareggio;[6] Free Church (Baptist).
Landmarks
A blue cedar Cedrus atlantica (glauca) was planted by Queen Mary in 1929.
Notable residents
- Duff Cooper (1890–1954) became Viscount Norwich of Aldwick in 1952[7]
- The Marchioness of Cambridge had "Three Ways" built at Canons Close, for her occasional use.[8]
- Raine Spencer (1929–2016), socialite and stepmother to Diana Princess of Wales and daughter of Barbara Cartland, lived in Aldwick.[9]
References
- ^ "2001 Census: West Sussex – Population by Parish" (PDF). West Sussex County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
- ^ Key Statistics; Quick Statistics: Population Density Archived 11 February 2003 at the Wayback Machine United Kingdom Census 2011 Office for National Statistics Retrieved 21 November 2013
- ^ a b "GENUKI: Pagham". Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "Closed pubs: Ship, Aldwick". Retrieved 23 March 2024.
- ^ "GENUKI: St Richard, Aldwick". Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "GENUKI: St Anthony of Viareggio, Rose Green, Aldwick". Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "Page 3699 | Issue 39592, 8 July 1952 | London Gazette | the Gazette". Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ History of the Craigweil or Craigweil House Conservation Area Archived 2014-05-05 at the Wayback Machine Arun District Council Retrieved 2014-05-05
- ^ Adam Helliker (2 June 2013). "Raine set to reign in Bognor". Daily Express. Retrieved 9 August 2023.