Midhurst

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For the town in Taranaki, New Zealand, see Midhirst.
Midhurst
Midhurst (West Sussex)
Midhurst

Midhurst shown within West Sussex
Population 4,889 (2001)
OS grid reference SU885214
District Chichester
Shire county West Sussex
Region South East
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Midhurst
Postcode district GU29
Dialling code 01730
Police Sussex
Fire West Sussex
Ambulance South East Coast
European Parliament South East England
UK Parliament Chichester
List of places: UK • England • West Sussex

Coordinates: 50°59′08″N 0°44′24″W / 50.98556, -0.74002

Midhurst is a market town and civil parish in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England, with a population of approximately 5000. The town is situated on the River Rother and is home to the magnificent ruin of the Tudor Cowdray House and the stately Victorian Cowdray Park. Country Life magazine rated Midhurst the second best town in England.

In the 2001 census the parish covered 333 hectares and had 2,327 households with a total population of 4,889. 2,258 residents were economically active.

Contents

[edit] History

Formerly standing within the ground of Midhurst Castle, the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Denys was mentioned in 1291 and later in 1367 as standing, "in a place called Courtgene". The interior of the church has undergone much restoration and change and little evidence exists of its Medieval heritage. Consisting of chancel and nave flanked by aisles on both sides, the church was largely rebuilt in the Perpendicular style in 1422, towards the end of Henry V's reign.

In 1605 the owner of Cowdray House, Anthony-Maria Browne, 2nd Viscount Montague, was briefly arrested in connection with the Gunpowder Plot. He was suspected as a plotter because he briefly employed Guy Fawkes as a footman and stayed away from Parliament on 5 November following a warning from Robert Catesby. He is buried in Midhurst Church.

It would appear that the castle was dismantled by the Bishop of Durham sometime between 1284 and 1311. The earlier owners being the de Bohun family who abandoned the castle in favour of Cowdray in 1280.

[edit] The town

Midhurst from the South
Midhurst from the South

Each year the town hosts the "Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup" which is a major polo competition. This is held on the estate of Lord Cowdray, with the final played outside the ruins. Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family are often seen playing here.

This same spot was the venue for a charity concert featuring Pink Floyd (minus Waters) in 1993.

Midhurst Deanery is a Deanery of the Church of England comprising 22 churches in the Rother valley between Midhurst and Petersfield.

[edit] Education

The main school is Midhurst Grammar School which was founded in 1672. The school's most famous alumnus is HG Wells. Although still called a Grammar School, it has been a modern comprehensive for many years. It comprises a lower school containing years 9 to 11, and a separate sixth form college to which approximately 45% of students continue on. In its September 2007 report, the regulator, OFSTED rated the various aspects of the schooling, most satisfactory (3) several good(2). There is also a comprehensive middle school for pupils aged 10 to 13 at Midhurst Intermediate School. In its 2006 inspection OFSTED rated the school overall grade 2. OFSTED grades 1 Outstanding, 2Good, 3 Satisfactory, 4 Inadequate [1]

[edit] Midhurst constituency

The town was first represented in the Parliament of 1301 and was consistently represented from 1382 onwards. Initially the town had two Members of Parliament. The electors were the owners of certain properties, which were marked by "burgage stones", one of these stones remains and can be seen in a building next to the public library. In 1831 there were only 41 eligible voters and Midhurst was considered a rotten borough. In the Great Reform Act of 1832 Midhurst was reduced to one Member of Parliament and the constituency was expanded to include most of the surrounding villages. In 1883 Midhurst lost its status as a Borough and its right to elect a Member of Parliament.

Members who represented Midhurst include:

At present Midhurst is part of the Chichester constituency and is represented in the House of Commons by Andrew Tyrie, Conservative.

[edit] Transport

[edit] Rail

See also: Midhurst Railways

Midhurst was linked by three lines, one from Pulborough in the 1866, one from Petersfield in 1855 and one from Chichester in 1881.

There were two stations, London Brighton and South Coast Railway's and the London and South Western Railway's. The last trains ran in 1964.

[edit] Road

The A272 runs through the town east and west.

The A286 road also runs through the town north and south.

[edit] Air

Midhurst is an hour's drive from Gatwick.

[edit] Emergency services

Midhurst is served by these emergency sevices:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jones, Christine (14 September 2007). Midhurst Grammar School - Inspection Report (Adobe Acrobat). OFSTED.

[edit] External links


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Towns, villages and hamlets in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England
Apuldram • Barlavington • Bepton • Bignor • Birdham • Bosham • Boxgrove • Bracklesham • Bury • Byworth • Charlton • Chichester • Chidham • Chithurst • Coates • Cocking • Colworth • Compton • Didling • Donnington • Dumpford • Duncton • Earnley • Eartham • Easebourne • East Ashling • East Dean • East Harting • East Lavant • East Lavington • East Marden • East Wittering • Ebernoe • Egdean • Elsted • Fernhurst • Fishbourne • Fittleworth• Funtington • Graffham • Halnaker • Heyshott • Hunston • Ifold • Iping • Kirdford • Linch • Linchmere • Lodsworth • Loxwood • Lurgashall • Merston • Mid Lavant • Midhurst • Milland • North Marden • North Mundham • Northchapel • Nutbourne • Nyewood •Oving • Petworth • Plaistow • Rogate • Runcton • Selham • Selsey • Sidlesham • Singleton • South Ambersham • South Harting • South Mundham • Southbourne • Stedham • Stopham • Stoughton • Sutton • Tangmere • Tillington • Trotton • Up Marden • Upperton • Upwaltham • Walderton • West Ashling • West Burton • West Dean • West Harting • West Itchenor • West Lavington • West Marden • West Stoke • West Thorney • West Wittering • Westbourne • Westhampnett • Wisborough Green • Woodmancote • Woolbeding
Chichester (district)