About
Lying between the sea and the A259, Ferring is an attractive little Sussex village and retirement community. It is flanked to the East by Goring Gap and to the West by Kingston Gap. To the North is Highdown Hill and the Sussex Downs.
People and property
Ferring is a small community of just over 4,500 people (at last census) and approximately 2,500 properties. The site of the village is an ancient one probably dating back to the Bronze age. The name is Saxon in origin and the village was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The parish church is Norman, and is dedicated to St Andrew.
Properties in the village are principally houses and bungalows, with flats making up only 16% of the housing stock. Property is substantially owner occupied with less 10% of the population in rented accomodation. Almost 68% of properties are detached and approximately 67% of all property is owned outright without a mortgage. The village center consists of some lovely older cottages from the 17th and 18th centuries. Key facts:
- Almost 50% of residents are aged 65 or older making the village a large retirement community.
- 67% of property is owned outright and a further 23% is owned with a mortgage.
- Less than 10% of residents live in rented property.
- 68% of properties are detached
- While flats only make up 16% of the housing stock, they represent over 35% of the rental market.
- The most predominant industry of employment is Public admin, education & health which comprises 31% of the working age population.
- Of the working population, 70% commute by car.
Transport
The area has a well connected transport infrastructure with close proximity to the A259 and Goring by Sea train station which has direct trains to Brighton, London, Portsmouth and Chichester. Approximately 80% of homes in the area are within 200 walking meters of either a bus stop or railway station.
Schools
Ferring Primary, Chatsmore
Did you know?
- Ferring lies just a few miles from Bognor Regis, which with 1902 hours of sunshine per year, is officially the sunniest place in the United Kingdom.
- The ashes of Major John Bigelow Dodge (1894-1960), veteran of the Great Escape of 1944 are buried in the churchyard.
- Ferring country center is a a non-profit organisation with a small animal zoo, garden centre and cafe.
- A hoard of palstaves or Bronze Age axe-heads were found along the Rife in 1983.
- The parish has many Roman sites too, including the remains of a bath house (which is actually a few metres over the border into Angmering)
- A restored but completely sealed Type 26 machine gun pillbox from 1941 can be found on the seafront promenade.
Things to do
Take a walk at Highdown hill, then stroll through the village to the Bluebird cafe on the beach for brunch.
