Earnley Tourist Information

Situated in rural West Sussex, close to the historic city of Chichester and just a few minutes from the sea, the village of Earnley is certainly one of the more calm and quiet villages of West Sussex. Known by the locals as ‘God's Little Pocket' it lies on acres of arable, pasture and marsh land in the ancient pre-Conquest division of Sussex known as the Rape of Chichester.

It is easy to access, being about 10 minutes south of Chichester. With its picturesque church, historic character and serene open spaces it is a beautiful, idyllic and awe-inspiring section of southern English countryside.

Earnley accommodates an adult education center, a butterfly farm and gardens, the historic manor house, two working farms and the well-known, newly upgraded Earnley Grange (the most imposing building in the area).

Earnley has been formerly renowned as a place for excellent bird-watching. Eagles, kites, herons and owls are seen and heard all around the year. Those lucky enough to be awake in the early hours of the morning will hear the peacocks from the Earnley Concourse (the adult education center) performing their famous mating call. Also, barn and screech owls can be heard deep in the dead of night in early winter. During winter, morning mists hover over the vast fields and plains and the occasional evening mist around Christmas time. In autumn the red skies can be seen perfectly from all around Earnley.

Before the hay has been harvested, the fields are a beautiful golden colour. At other times of the year, before the harvest, when the oil seed rape flowers, the fields turn a bright yellow – bringing them to life. The October sunrises and sunsets are the most stunning. So when staying in Earnley be sure to wake up early or be in view of a sunset!

We hope to see you enjoy the small village of Earnley.

Description by Joseph Parker