Southbourne, Sussex

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Southbourne
Sussex

St John's Church, Southbourne
Location
Grid reference: SU769056
Location: 50°50’42"N, -0°54’29"W
Data
Population: 6,265  (2011)
Post town: Emsworth
Postcode: PO10
Dialling code: 01243
Local Government
Council: Chichester
Parliamentary
constituency:
Chichester

Southbourne is a village in the south-western corner of Sussex, at coast, at the head of the Thorney Channel leading to Chichester Harbour. Thorney Island is to the south-west. The Hampshire border is marked by the River Ems just a mile to the west (across which river stands Emsworth), with the village of Hermitage between them. To the east is Nutbourne and south of it Chidham.

Southbourne has a small railway station on the West Coastway Line between Southampton and Brighton. It has a separate Infant School and Junior School and contains Bourne Community College, which takes secondary pupils from around the area. Bourne Leisure Centre and a Library both serve surrounding villages and settlements. The A259 road, formerly designated A27 and the main coast route until the construction of a new dual carriageway, runs through the village.

The village encompasses various residential areas and an industrial estate populated mainly with metal work outlets. There are various local shops along the Main Road and Stein Road. The area south of the Main Road with access to Chichester Harbour is known as Prinsted. It has a conservation area with a number of thatched roof properties.

About the village

Chichester Harbour lies to the south. A broad, sheltered water, it is a popular sailing venue whose shoreline is dotted with havens and marinas, and which opens into the English Channel at the end of Hayling Island.

The harbour is also a 'site of special scientific interest' as a wetland deemed to be of international importance, a Special Protection Area for wild birds and a Special Area of Conservation. The harbour is of particular importance for wintering wildfowl and waders of which five species reach numbers which are internationally important.[1]

Villages

The wider parish encompasses also Lumley, Hermitage, Thornham, Prinsted and part of Nutbourne and at the 2011 census had a population of 6,261 in 2,595 households.

Sport and leisure

Bowls:

  • Age Concern and Southbourne Bowls and Social Club in New Road.

Outside links

References

  1. SSSI listing and designation for Chichester Harbour
("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Southbourne, Sussex)