Lancing

Lancing, which lies just off England’s south coast in West Sussex, is sometimes thought to be the largest village in England, thanks to its being spread over a wide area (3.9 miles squared). In the 19th Century, Lancing was a popular weekend destination thanks to its shingle beaches, but nowadays it is as quiet as its unspoilt, rural/coastal setting.

The main industry in and around Lancing is agriculture, although the village is also famous as the home of Lancing College, one of Britain’s elite public schools. Lancing College claims Sir William Gladstone as a former headmaster, as well as Sir Tim Rice, Evelyn Waugh, Tom Sharp, and Jamie Theakston among its alumni.

Attractions

Lancing itself is fairly quiet, although it lies in the middle of the Lancing Ring Nature Reserve, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and which opens up on to the Downs. Lancing also lays claim to a Roman temple, which is thought to have been constructed on Lancing Down during the Roman invasion of Britain by the Emperor Claudius in 43AD.

Although Lancing has little to offer for the tourist, the same is not true of Sussex in general. With a car, one can easily travel through the beautiful countryside and along the wonderful coastline to places like Arundel, Chichester, Bognor Regis, Hayling Island, the Witterings and Bosham. Worthing, which has an Edwardian museum and art gallery, is two miles from Lancing, whilst St Mary’s, a beautiful country house built by William of Waynflete, the Bishop of Winchester, is about four miles away.

Furthermore, Brighton, with its Royal Pavilion and Sea Life Centre, is real hub for culture, music and shopping, and is only ten or so miles from the village.

Shopping

Since Lancing is so quiet, shoppers seeking anything out of the ordinary would do best to go to Brighton, where one can find all sorts of wonderful things, especially in the Lanes.

Nightlife/Eating Out

Lancing has little by way of a nightlife or restaurants. Aside from a Harvester and a Beefeater, Smugglers, in adjoining Sompting, is perhaps the best local restaurant.

The Sussex countryside is dotted with nice pubs, among them being the King’s Arms in Arundel and the White Swan in Bosham.

For both food and drink, as well as nightclubs, Brighton, however, is once again the best place to go.

Tourist Information

Worthing Tourist Information CentreChapel RoadWorthingWest Sussex BN11 1HL

T: 01903 221 307F: 01903 236 277E: tourism@worthing.gov.uk

Airport

Lancing lies very close to Shoreham Airport, which is the world’s oldest airport still to be in operation. It served as an RAF base during the Second World War. Shoreham, also known as Brighton City Airport, runs services to and from Le Havre and Le Touquet in France through Sky south. However, Gatwick, which lies about one hour’s drive away, is the closest, major international airport.