The pretty seaside village of East Preston just south of the downs is ideally placed for all amenities with a good range of shops, a post office, library, schools and golf courses nearby. The local Angmering mainline Station serves London Victoria, Brighton, Portsmouth & Southampton. The Brighton to Portsmouth Coastliner 700 bus also runs through East Preston. The trunk roads A27 and A24 are both close to hand.
East Preston History
Once a very small village, East Preston now has a population of around 6000, having expanded rapidly after the Second World War, and in the housing boom of recent years.
The original Saxon settlers farmed the area and the sea was a great source for farming the salt, which was needed for preserving food. In the 19th century Reginald Augustus Warren began purchasing farms, buildings and land in East Preston, ultimately becoming squire. After his death in 1911 his estate was broken into smaller areas, some parts sold and some left to the village (Warren Recreation Ground).
The parish church, St Mary the Virgin is of Norman origin, about 12th century, and is built on the ancient Saxon burial ground. There are plenty of old cottages still standing, including Boxtree cottage which has a date of 1670 on the outer wall.
Sadly, some buildings have been demolished over the years, including the workhouse, (which stood opposite where the library is today). This housed the travellers and the poor and was the reason that when the southern end of the village was developed in the 1930’s, it was named Angmering On Sea, in order to disassociate this area with one that had a workhouse!
In 1991 a war memorial was built in the foreground of the library in memoriam to those who gave their lives in the wars. Many commonwealth troops were stationed in the village and surrounding areas during 1939-45, and the beach was closed to all but the military.
East Preston Facts
East Preston is a village and civil parish in the Arun district of West Sussex, England. It lies roughly half way between Littlehampton and Worthing.
The area is 2.41 km sq (0.93 sq mi). Population 5,919 (2001 Census). Density 2,453/km sq (6,350/sq mi). Coordinates 50.81041oN 0.48189oW. OS grid ref TQ070023. London 50 miles (80km) NNE. Parish: East Preston. District: Arun. County: West Sussex. Post Town: Littlehampton. Postcode: BN16. Dialling code: 01903. Police: Sussex. Fire: West Sussex. Ambulance: South East Coast. EU Parliament: South East England. UK Parliament: Worthing West.
East Preston and Kingston Village hall
The Village hall is situated in the heart of the village in Sea Road by the Warren Recreation Ground.
Many local organisations and private individuals use the Village Hall regularly for all kinds of functions ranging from Pre-School Music and Movement, Children's and Adults Dance Classes, Adult Education, Keep Fit, Badminton, Bridge, Judo, Yoga, and Table Tennis to Dances, Suppers, Children's and Adult's Birthday and Anniversary Parties and Wedding Receptions. It is the centre of activities for the Village Festival every June and is host to the Horticultural Society's Annual Summer Flower Show.
In the Winter, there is a monthly Film Night, where the latest releases are shown.
Private Residential Estates
East Preston and Kingston has private residential estates which have local rules and tighter security.
From east to west the estates are: Kingston Gorse, West Kingston, Angmering on Sea & The Willowhayne.
Information on the Willowhayne Estate: The estate started in 1930 when a private company was set up to buy land and develop an area for private homes. When the company sold its houses it insisted on the signing of legal covenants. These covered the approval of building plans and alterations, a ban on any trade or business run from home – with the exception of some professions – and a ban on the keeping of farm animals. There are covenants covering building lines & nuisance to neighbours. The residents association collects subscriptions runs the estate and maintains communal areas. Hobdens are the managing agents www.hobdensmanage.co.uk.
Shopping & Health Services
East Preston has four shopping areas the southern end of the village has a mixed choice, the centre of the village also has a good range, there are also shops in Downs Way and near the station at Station Parade. Rustington is a short distance away with more comprehensive shopping facilities and banks with main high street shopping further afield in Littlehampton, Worthing, Chichester and Brighton. East Preston does have two doctors surgeries - Arun Medical Centre - Newhurdles Doctors Surgery 59 Sea Road East Preston BN16 1LN and Willow Green Surgery Station Road East Preston West Sussex BN16 3AH, two chemists and two dental surgeries in Sea road.
Dining and Bars
East Preston has a good choice of restaurants, take-aways, bars and a coffee shop.
Leisure
Tennis - Angmering on Sea Lawn Tennis club.
Golf - Ham Manor or Rustington.
Sailing - Some of the best sailing facilities on the south coast Including Chichester, Littlehampton and Brighton marinas.
Windsurfing and Kite Boarding - from the local beach.
Theatre - Royal Festival in Chichester, Connaught & Pavilion in Worthing.
Horse Racing and Motor sport - Goodwood horse racing and motor circuit near Chichester.
Fitness - Esporta Club Rustington. Swimming at Littlehampton.
East Preston Sports Clubs
East Preston has a thriving sports scene with many different clubs including - 'Feathers' Badminton Club, Angmering on Sea Lawn Tennis Club, East Preston & Kingston Bowls Club, East Preston Boules Piste, East Preston Cricket Club, East Preston Football Club senior & junior, East Preston P'etanque Club, Open Dinghy Club and Sama Karate Organisation to name but a few.
Dog Walks
The Greensward along the beachside is a beautiful walk from Littlehampton to Worthing, this can be accessed from East Preston. The South Downs National Park is close to hand. East Preston's parks - the Village Green, Warren recreational ground, Langmeads field and the park in Lashmar road.
East Preston Infant & Junior School
East Preston Infant School was opened in May 1973 and further re-modelled in 2003.
East Preston Junior School caters for children in the 7-11 age range.
The Angmering School for children over 11 is a couple of miles from the village centre.
Good private schools are within 20 mins by car.
Local Organisations & Sports clubs
East Preston is a friendly and busy community with many organisations, clubs, and societies which offer a warm welcome to new comers.
There are many sports and leisure facilities for every age group. They include Tennis; Bowls; Cricket; Football; Stool ball; Badminton; open Dinghy Sailing; Guides and Brownies; Scouts and Cubs.
Local clubs include The Baytree, together with Bridge, Keep Fit and Dancing Club.
There is a wide range of other interests represented in the village, including: The Preservation Society, The Horticultural Society, The Floral Club and the Twinning Association.
There are several playgroups for very young children in the village.
A list of all organisations with contact names, addresses, and telephone numbers can be found in the Public Library, located in The Street or on the ADC website.
East Preston Annual Summer Festival
Each year at the beginning of June, East Preston has its very popular Festival .
Initially the Festival was organised to raise money for the Village Hall interior decoration fund. This fund was partially financed by the Parish Council initiative. Also some of the monies raised were used to go towards the new Spire Room at St Mary's Church.
The organisation of the Festival was assigned to the Festival Committee which has continued to expand the range of activities each year.
The Parish Council still makes a considerable financial commitment to the Festival. The Festival offers over sixty events over the nine days which draws in visitors from far beyond the village.
Substantial donations are made to local village clubs, societies and charities each year. In addition, many of them receive monies from their own events held during the Festival.
Preparations for the next year's Festival begin almost as soon as the last one has finished. A Public Meeting discussion is held to consider new and additional attractions.
Firm favourites such as the Flower and Art Exhibition have been extended to 3 days during the Festival; the Antiques and Collections Market has been extended to 3 held during the year. Other favourites include the Craft Fair; Market Morning; the Village Walk and Talk; a Fashion Show; and Musical Shows and Concerts of Classics and Swing. There are Open Garden Days, a Tea Dance, a Team Quiz, Bridge and Chess; Sports, Fêtes, Garden Parties and Songs of Praise.
Festival Week culminates in a lively, colourful Carnival Parade with Floats, Groups, Bands, and Entertainers. In addition, an open-topped bus conveys the Festival Committee and Parish Councillors and honoured guests around the village to the Schools' Fête.
This is the annual event for the whole Village. Comprehensive Festival programmes are available three weeks beforehand.
Churches
St Mary the Virgin, East Preston with Kingston Parish Church in Station road.
Our Lady Star of the Sea, Catholic Church in Vermont road.
East Preston Parish Council
East Preston Parish Council is responsible for keeping the village looking welcoming and attractive. Amongst other things the Parish Council is responsible for the Village Green, Warren Recreation Ground, public seats, bus shelters, hanging baskets. For more information, contact Simon Cross (Clerk). Phone: 01903 770050 Web: www.arun.gov.uk/eastpreston
East Preston Library
East Preston Library is conveniently situated on the Street. The Library is open 27 hours per week. In 2003/04 more than 7,000 enquires were answered, 59,000 Books, Music CD's, Story Cassettes and Videos were lent and 40,000 visits were made to East Preston Library.
Travel
Airports: Gatwick, Southampton and Shoreham.
Trains: Brighton(30 mins), Gatwick(60 mins) and London Victoria(90 mins) can be accessed from Angmering station at the top of the village.
Roads: The A27 and A24 are close to hand.
Buses: The coastliner 700 bus runs from Brighton in the east to Portsmouth in the west then returns visiting East Preston (every 10 mins), Rustington, Ferring, Littlehampton, Worthing, Chichester, etc..
If you need to buy or sell in East Preston or surrounding areas make sure Cooper Adams Estate Agents are your 1st port of call.
