Visit Middleton-on-Sea Places

Welcome to Visit Middleton-on-Sea Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Middleton-on-Sea

  

Middleton-on-Sea Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Middleton-on-Sea

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Middleton-on-Sea history

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The ancient parish, called Middleton, had 370 acres (150 ha) in 1881 but had been reduced in area in previous centuries by sea erosion. The configuration of the western and northern boundaries suggests that the parish was once part of Felpham, and the name Middleton may refer to the manor’s central position between Felpham and either Elmer or Cudlow in Clymping. Part of the eastern boundary was formed c. 1310 by a ditch and part by Elmer pool, while the north-eastern boundary follows the Ryebank rife. The parish was enlarged in 1933 by the addition of Ancton from Felpham parish and in 1971 had 892 acres (361 ha); its name was extended in 1934 to prevent confusion with other Middletons. In 1801 there were only six houses in the parish; in 1841 there were nineteen, including the new manor house at Middleton and newly built coastguard cottages at Elmer. Most of the latter remained unoccupied after the departure of the coastguard until demolition between 1910 and 1932. Two larger houses were built during the same period: Middleton Field west of Yapton Road, home of the owner of the adjacent brickworks, and the half-timbered and pebbledashed Ancton Lodge. At the junction of Middleton and Elmer roads with Yapton Road in 1606 were two or three dwellings; only one older building remained there in 1996, the one-storeyed, flint and thatched Rose Cottage, which is apparently 17th-century or earlier with 19th-century additions. In 1910 the engineer Norman Thompson, attracted to the area by the large expanse of firm sand and the constant winds along the shore, founded an aircraft works which after the removal of much of the sand in a storm in 1913 turned to making seaplanes. The firm was later called the Norman Thompson Flight Co. During the First World War it supplied aircraft to the navy, the workforce growing from ten at the beginning to between 700 and 900. About 250 aircraft in all were built, but with the cancellation of orders at the end of the war the firm went into liquidation. In 1921 Capt. R. Coldicott began to build detached houses, some large, along Sea Lane, afterwards laying out two branch roads from it roughly parallel to the coast: Sea Way to the west and Old Point to the east. Further houses were put up by him along and to the north of Middleton Road. By 1928 he had erected over 100, at peak output claiming to finish one every ten days. In the 1920s, Middleton became a popular holiday destination. The ‘New City’ created by Sir Walter Blount, Bt., opened in 1922 in the former seaplane factory south of the church. It was one of the earliest attempts to provide a self-contained environment for enjoying the seaside. There were c. 200 bedrooms, all with central heating and half with private baths, besides a garage for 100 cars; visitors without cars could be met at Barnham station. Almost every form of amusement was claimed to be catered for. One of the hangars accommodated a dance hall and another indoor tennis courts; there were also outdoor tennis courts, a putting green, and rooms for cards and billiards. The New City had its own dairy, farm, ice generating plant, and mineral water factory, besides a laundry, hairdressing rooms, and lending library. By the mid-1920s it was said to be very popular with large numbers of ‘distinguished’ visitors. Middleton Sports Club of Sea Lane was developed in the early 1920s by Capt. R. Coldicott, and was at first merely for cricket. Presently the club offers cricket, squash, tennis, hockey and bowls. There was a church at Middleton in 1086. By the late 18th century most of the chancel had been destroyed by the sea, the south aisle demolished and its arcade filled in, and part of the west end including the tower removed. Repairs were carried out in 1803. There were seldom more than six or seven in the congregation in 1804. The erosion of the churchyard inspired the poet Charlotte Smith to write a sonnet “Written in the Church-Yard at Middleton in Sussex” (1789). A very high tide early in 1838 virtually destroyed what was left of the building, rendering it unusable; the ruins survived in 1847 but had disappeared by c. 1849. A small portion of the north part of the churchyard remained in 1860. The new church, with the same dedication, consists of apsed chancel and nave without structural division, and west porch and vestry. There is a bellcot. Of flint with stone dressings and some brick and in 13th-century style, the building was consecrated in 1849 on a site given by Richard Coote, lord of Middleton manor. During 10, 11 and 12 June 2012, a once in a 200 or more years level of rainfall that led to widespread flooding across parts of West Sussex. The area of Middleton on Sea was much affected by flooding by surface water.

You can visit Middleton-on-Sea places with Walkfo Middleton-on-Sea to hear history at Middleton-on-Sea’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Middleton-on-Sea has 25 places to visit in our interactive Middleton-on-Sea map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Middleton-on-Sea, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Middleton-on-Sea places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Middleton-on-Sea & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 25 audio facts unique to Middleton-on-Sea places in an interactive Middleton-on-Sea map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Middleton-on-Sea Places Map
25 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Middleton-on-Sea historic spots	Middleton-on-Sea tourist destinations	Middleton-on-Sea plaques	Middleton-on-Sea geographic features
Walkfo Middleton-on-Sea tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Middleton-on-Sea

  

Best Middleton-on-Sea places to visit

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Middleton-on-Sea has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Middleton-on-Sea’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Middleton-on-Sea’s information audio spots:

Hotham Park House Hotham Park House is a grade II* listed 18th-century country house in Bognor Regis, West Sussex . It stands in the 9 hectare (22 acres) Hothams Park, now a public open space .

Yapton Free Church The “pretty flint building” dates from 1861. It was built for a group of Congregational worshippers who had been active in the area. The church is denominationally independent but is associated with a worldwide cross-denomination network of churches called Partners in Harvest.

John Baker’s Mill, Barnham John Baker’s Mill (or Barnham Windmill) is a grade II listed tower mill at Barnham, Sussex. It was under restoration and is now to be converted to residential use.

Visit Middleton-on-Sea plaques