Portslade Area Guide

Portslade-by-Sea is the boundary town to West Sussex. The area was added to Hove in 1974 and is situated just to the west of the city. A region fortunate enough to boast a variety of landscapes in a relatively small area, it comprises a combination of village and country life juxtaposed alongside busy portside industry, all steeped in a rich history and filled with rare surprises and scenic charm.

Historic Foredown Tower in Portslade can be seen perched on the edge of the Sussex Downs. This former Edwardian water tower has been beautifully converted and is now an important centre for conservation and education. Home to a real gem in the form of one of only two operational camera obscuras in south east England and one of the very few places where one can step inside the body of a camera to experience the thrill of seeing the outside world projected at your feet. This unique optical device is used to observe the stunning surrounding landscape and views across the channel. Originally built as a water tower for Foredown hospital, which served as an isolation sanatorium for patients with infectious diseases, the tower was not demolished along with the hospital in 1988-89, but put to good use and became the meeting place of the Foredown Tower Astronomers until the local council saw the potential for the tower to become an adult learning and visitor centre. Foredown tower has become a popular location, due to its pretty walled garden and café, as a stop-off destination for people out walking.

Designated a conservation area, Portslade village, nestled in a valley of the South Downs, was the original settlement and was built up in the 16th century. The arrival of the railway from Brighton in 1840 encouraged rapid development of the coastal area and in 1896 the Southern ‘Copperas Gap’, was granted urban district status and renamed Portslade-by-Sea, making it distinct from Portslade Village. Today Portslade is bisected from east to west by the A270 running between Brighton and Worthing and is made up of a number of separate communities enriched by a wealth of trees and park spaces.

For those who love the quaintness and ease of village life, Portslade Village still retains its rich rural fabric and character, with flint buildings, a village green and the small parish church of St Nicholas. Dating back from around 1150 this church is the second oldest in the city. Of its wealth of heritage assets and listed buildings, Portslade Manor is one of the few surviving ruins of a Norman manor, built in the 12th century and now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Shopping

There are good local shopping facilities and essential amenities in the village. More comprehensive shopping facilities can be found a mile away. Good local schools and a modern health centre are all within easy reach. Easthill Park, the village green and access to the Downs provide tranquillity and spectacular walks and for health enthusiasts, sports and leisure facilities are located nearby on Chalky Road, Mile Oak.

Travel

Communication links to the city centre, the Capital and areas east and west of Portslade are excellent, the Old Shoreham Road providing easy access by car and the A27 accessed via the Hangleton Link Road. Portslade and Mile Oak are also on efficient local bus routes and Fishersgate station and Portslade main line station are located within a mile, providing swift links to London and the south coast.

Property

The properties in the village range from purpose built apartments through to original flint cottages, the most common being pretty terraced houses. The medieval street layout survives, and distinguishes the old village from the more orderly surrounding suburban estate morphology. The sense of community in the region is highly developed with a real feeling of belonging and pride in the local area. To the south of the area Portslade-by-Sea straddles the small but busy seaport harbour basin of Shoreham. The residential areas to the coast and either side of the village are populated with Victorian terraces, pre and post war family homes together with some modern developments. Wherever your interests lie you will be sure to find the perfect property.