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Coordinates: 51°01′21″N 0°27′03″W / 51.0226°N 0.4508°W / 51.0226; -0.4508
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{{Short description|Village and parish in West Sussex, England}}
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{{About|a place in England||Billinghurst (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Billinghurst, Argentina}}
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{{About|a place in England}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
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'''Billingshurst''' is a [[village]] and [[civil parish]] in the [[Horsham District]] of [[West Sussex]], England. The village lies on the [[A29 road]] (the [[Roman Britain|Roman]] [[Stane Street (Chichester)|Stane Street]]) at its crossroads with the [[A272 road|A272]], {{convert|6|mi|km|sigfig=1}} south-west of [[Horsham]] and {{convert|5.5|mi|km|0}} north-east of [[Pulborough]].
'''Billingshurst''' is a [[Town|small town]] and [[civil parish]] in the [[Horsham District]] of [[West Sussex]], England. The village lies on the [[A29 road]] (the [[Roman Britain|Roman]] [[Stane Street (Chichester)|Stane Street]]) at its crossroads with the [[A272 road|A272]], {{convert|6|mi|km|sigfig=1}} south-west of [[Horsham]] and {{convert|5.5|mi|km|0}} north-east of [[Pulborough]].


The civil parish has a land area of {{convert|7,952|acres|ha|abbr=off}} and at the [[2001 United Kingdom census|2001 Census]] had 2,677 households and a population of 6,531 people,<ref name=Foot01/> which increased to 8,232 at the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 Census]].<ref name=Foot02/>
The civil parish has a land area of {{convert|7,952|acres|ha|abbr=off}} and at the [[2001 United Kingdom census|2001 Census]] had 2,677 households and a population of 6,531 people,<ref name=Foot01/> which increased to 8,232 at the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 Census]].<ref name=Foot02/>In the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]] the previous figure grew by almost a thousand , to '''9,127'''. (According to [https://Citypopulation.de city population])


[[File:High Street, Billingshurst.jpg|thumb|right|The High Street]]
[[File:High Street, Billingshurst.jpg|thumb|right|The High Street]]


== Toponymy ==
== Toponymy ==
The village's name derives from [[Old English language|Anglo-Saxon]] and means 'a wooded hill of Billa's people', most likely referring to the sandstone [[hillock]] that St Mary's Church is sited on in the historical centre of the village. 'Bill' is the head of a family, 'ing' means of the people, and 'hurst' means wooded hill. It is most likely that it was a small family settlement, not yet being a large community or a parish, headed by one 'Billa' – someone of unestablished origin, and not by a populous [[Saxon]] tribe.<ref name="Lawes36">{{Harvnb|Lawes|2017|loc=The Saxons Colonise Britain - 477 to 1066 AD, p. 36.}}</ref>
The village's name derives from [[Old English language|Anglo-Saxon]] and means 'a wooded hill of Billa's people', most likely referring to the sandstone [[hillock]] that St Mary's Church is sited on in the historical centre of the village. 'Bill' is the head of a family, 'ing' means of the people, and 'hurst' means wooded hill. It is most likely that it was a small family settlement, not yet being a large community or a parish, headed by one 'Billa' – someone of unestablished origin, and not by a populous [[Saxon]] tribe.<ref name="Lawes36">{{Harvnb|Lawes|2017|p=36}}</ref>

== History ==
The history of Billingshurst, the village and civil parish within the county of [[West Sussex]] in the [[United Kingdom]], extends back to C.800AD, with evidence of much earlier settlement in the area.<ref name="Lawes36"/>


== Community facilities ==
== Community facilities ==
The village has a secondary school and a sixth form college, known together as [[The Weald School]]. Billingshurst Primary School (formerly separate infant and junior schools, amalgamated in 2010) is situated near The Weald.<ref name=Foot04/>
The village has a secondary school and a sixth form college, known together as [[The Weald School]]. Billingshurst Primary Academy School (formerly separate infant and junior schools, amalgamated in 2010) (Became an academy in 2023) is situated near The Weald.<ref name=Foot04/>


New housing development on the eastern side of the village will include a spine road linking the A29 road north of the village with the A272 road to the east.<ref name=Foot05/> 550 new homes will be built along with a school, dentists' surgery, play areas and improvements to the railway station.<ref name=Foot06/>
New housing development on the eastern side of the village will include a spine road linking the A29 road north of the village with the A272 road to the east.<ref name=Foot05/> 550 new homes will be built along with a school, dentists' surgery, play areas and improvements to the railway station.<ref name=Foot06/>
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Billingshurst is at the junction of the [[A29 road (England)|A29]] and the [[A272 Road|A272]] which are routes to [[Petworth]], [[Petersfield]], [[Haywards Heath]], [[Pulborough]] and [[Bognor Regis]].
Billingshurst is at the junction of the [[A29 road (England)|A29]] and the [[A272 Road|A272]] which are routes to [[Petworth]], [[Petersfield]], [[Haywards Heath]], [[Pulborough]] and [[Bognor Regis]].


[[Billingshurst railway station]] on Station Road is on the mainline from [[London Victoria railway station|London Victoria]] to [[Bognor Regis railway station|Bognor Regis]] and [[Chichester railway station|Chichester]] between [[Christ's Hospital railway station]] and [[Pulborough railway station]].
[[Billingshurst railway station]] on Station Road is on the line from [[London Victoria railway station|London Victoria]] to [[Bognor Regis railway station|Bognor Regis]] ([[Arun Valley line|Arun valley line]]) between [[Christ's Hospital railway station]] and [[Pulborough railway station]]. A half hourly [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|southern]] service in each direction ([[London Victoria station|London Victoria]] to [[Bognor Regis railway station|Bognor Regis railway]] station) Monday to Saturday. Hourly on Sundays. Billingshurst signal box, one of the last surviving, was moved to [[Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre|amberley working museum]] in 2014.

The 100 Bus service ([[Horsham]] bus station to [[Burgess Hill|burgess hill]] church) serves the village with bus stops at natts lane, Station Road and The high street. The southbound [[Burgess Hill|burgess hill]] service runs via places such as [[pulborough]] and [[storrington]].


The village is to the east of a remaining section of the [[Wey and Arun Canal]]; the canal has not been fully navigable since the 1890s.
The village is to the east of a remaining section of the [[Wey and Arun Canal]]; the canal has not been fully navigable since the 1890s.
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== Sport ==
== Sport ==
The local football team is [[Billingshurst F.C.|Billingshurst FC]] based at Jubilee Fields on the western junction of the A29 and A272. The club was established in 1891 and is running senior sides and a youth section with teams running from Under 8's through to U16s.{{cn|date=December 2022}}
The local football team is [[Billingshurst F.C.|Billingshurst FC]] based at Jubilee Fields on the western junction of the A29 and A272. The club was established in 1891 and is running senior sides and a youth section with teams running from Under 8's through to U16s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billingshurst Football Club |url=https://www.billingshurstfc.co.uk/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=www.billingshurstfc.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

== Second World War ==
Kingsfold Camp, a [[Prisoner of war|prisoner-of-war]] camp, was set up in Billingshurst during the Second World War (see [[List of World War II prisoner-of-war camps in the United Kingdom]]).


== Notable people ==
== Notable people ==
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* [[Edward Enfield]] (1929–2019), television and radio presenter, newspaper journalist, and educational administrator, lived in Billingshurst<ref name="Lawes310"/>
* [[Edward Enfield]] (1929–2019), television and radio presenter, newspaper journalist, and educational administrator, lived in Billingshurst<ref name="Lawes310"/>
* [[Harry Enfield]] (1961–), comedian, lived in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot11/>
* [[Harry Enfield]] (1961–), comedian, lived in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot11/>
* [[Israel Harding]], [[Victoria Cross|VC]], (1833–1917), gunner in the Royal Navy and recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], died in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot17/>
* [[Edgar Hubert]], (1906–1985), abstract painter, born in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot18/>
* [[Janet Lees-Price]] (1943–2012), actress, lived in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot08/>
* [[Janet Lees-Price]] (1943–2012), actress, lived in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot08/>
* [[Derrick Somerset Macnutt]] (1902–1971), crossword compiler, died in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot16/>
* [[Derrick Somerset Macnutt]] (1902–1971), crossword compiler and housemaster, died in Billingshurst
* [[Pom Oliver]] (1952–), filmmaker and arctic explorer, lived in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot10/>
* [[Pom Oliver]] (1952–), filmmaker and arctic explorer, lived in Billingshurst<ref name=Foot10/>
* [[Frank Patterson (illustrator)|Frank Patterson]] (1871–1952), illustrator, lived in Billingshurst<ref name="Lawes169">{{Harvnb|Lawes|2017|loc=Pear Tree Farm and Frank Patterson, p. 169.}}</ref>
* [[Frank Patterson (illustrator)|Frank Patterson]] (1871–1952), illustrator, lived in Billingshurst<ref name="Lawes169">{{Harvnb|Lawes|2017|loc=Pear Tree Farm and Frank Patterson, p. 169.}}</ref>
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<ref name=Foot14>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/boys-traction-engine |title=Boy's Traction Engine 1956 |access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=Foot14>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/boys-traction-engine |title=Boy's Traction Engine 1956 |access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=Foot15>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/vintage-fire-brigade |title=Vintage Fire Brigade 1965 |access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=Foot15>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/vintage-fire-brigade |title=Vintage Fire Brigade 1965 |access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
<ref name=Foot16>{{cite web |url=https://www.christopherlong.co.uk/gen/relationsgen/fg02/fg02_286.html| title=Family Group Sheet |access-date=19 May 2023}}</ref>
<ref name=Foot17>{{cite web |url=https://www.lordashcroftmedals.com/collection/israel-harding-vc/ |title=Israel Harding VC |access-date=19 May 2023}}</ref>
<ref name=Foot18>{{cite web |url=https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/edgar-hubert-2303 |title=Edgar Hubert 1906–1985 |access-date=19 May 2023}}</ref>
}}
}}


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{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Billingshurst]]
[[Category:Horsham District]]
[[Category:Villages in West Sussex]]
[[Category:Villages in West Sussex]]

Latest revision as of 15:54, 26 December 2024

Not to be confused with Billinghurst, Argentina.
This article is about a place in England. For other uses, see Billingshurst (disambiguation).

Billingshurst
St Mary's Church
Billingshurst is located in West Sussex
Billingshurst
Billingshurst
Location within West Sussex
Area32.19 km2 (12.43 sq mi) [1]
Population8,232 (2011)[2]
• Density256/km2 (660/sq mi)
OS grid referenceTQ087259
• London36 miles (58 km) NNE
Civil parish
  • Billingshurst
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBILLINGSHURST
Postcode districtRH14
Dialling code01403
PoliceSussex
FireWest Sussex
AmbulanceSouth East Coast
UK Parliament
WebsiteBillingshurst Parish Council
List of places
UK
England
West Sussex
51°01′21″N 0°27′03″W / 51.0226°N 0.4508°W / 51.0226; -0.4508

Billingshurst is a small town and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. The village lies on the A29 road (the Roman Stane Street) at its crossroads with the A272, 6 miles (10 km) south-west of Horsham and 5.5 miles (9 km) north-east of Pulborough.

The civil parish has a land area of 7,952 acres (3,218 hectares) and at the 2001 Census had 2,677 households and a population of 6,531 people,[1] which increased to 8,232 at the 2011 Census.[2]In the 2021 census the previous figure grew by almost a thousand , to 9,127. (According to city population)

The High Street

Toponymy

[edit]

The village's name derives from Anglo-Saxon and means 'a wooded hill of Billa's people', most likely referring to the sandstone hillock that St Mary's Church is sited on in the historical centre of the village. 'Bill' is the head of a family, 'ing' means of the people, and 'hurst' means wooded hill. It is most likely that it was a small family settlement, not yet being a large community or a parish, headed by one 'Billa' – someone of unestablished origin, and not by a populous Saxon tribe.[3]

History

[edit]

The history of Billingshurst, the village and civil parish within the county of West Sussex in the United Kingdom, extends back to C.800AD, with evidence of much earlier settlement in the area.[3]

Community facilities

[edit]

The village has a secondary school and a sixth form college, known together as The Weald School. Billingshurst Primary Academy School (formerly separate infant and junior schools, amalgamated in 2010) (Became an academy in 2023) is situated near The Weald.[4]

New housing development on the eastern side of the village will include a spine road linking the A29 road north of the village with the A272 road to the east.[5] 550 new homes will be built along with a school, dentists' surgery, play areas and improvements to the railway station.[6]

Transport

[edit]

Billingshurst is at the junction of the A29 and the A272 which are routes to Petworth, Petersfield, Haywards Heath, Pulborough and Bognor Regis.

Billingshurst railway station on Station Road is on the line from London Victoria to Bognor Regis (Arun valley line) between Christ's Hospital railway station and Pulborough railway station. A half hourly southern service in each direction (London Victoria to Bognor Regis railway station) Monday to Saturday. Hourly on Sundays. Billingshurst signal box, one of the last surviving, was moved to amberley working museum in 2014.

The 100 Bus service (Horsham bus station to burgess hill church) serves the village with bus stops at natts lane, Station Road and The high street. The southbound burgess hill service runs via places such as pulborough and storrington.

The village is to the east of a remaining section of the Wey and Arun Canal; the canal has not been fully navigable since the 1890s.

Religious sites

[edit]

Billingshurst has four churches. St Mary's Church (Church of England) is the oldest, with a mix of service styles, ranging from Book of Common Prayer communion services to informal family worship. Other churches are St Gabriel's Church (Catholic), Billingshurst Family Church (Evangelical; part of the Commission family of churches) and Trinity Church (United Reformed). Billingshurst Unitarian Chapel, set back behind the High Street, was founded in 1754 and is one of south-east England's oldest Nonconformist places of worship.[7]

Sport

[edit]

The local football team is Billingshurst FC based at Jubilee Fields on the western junction of the A29 and A272. The club was established in 1891 and is running senior sides and a youth section with teams running from Under 8's through to U16s.[8]

Notable people

[edit]

Film and cultural appearances

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "2001 Census: West Sussex – Population by Parish" (PDF). West Sussex County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Civil Parish population 2011" (PDF). Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b Lawes 2017, p. 36
  4. ^ "Term start delayed for new Billingshurst Primary School". BBC News. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Horsham District Council". 19 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Billingshurst 550-home development gets one step closer". West Sussex County Times. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  7. ^ Lines, Wendy (1995). Billingshurst. The Archive Photographs Series. Chalford: Chalford Publishing Company. p. 87. ISBN 0-7524-0301-X.
  8. ^ "Billingshurst Football Club". www.billingshurstfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  9. ^ a b Page, Sarah (4 June 2019). "Tributes to Billingshurst-based Blake's 7 actor Paul Darrow". West Sussex County Times. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  10. ^ "Paul Darrow". Amazon UK. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  11. ^ a b Lawes 2017, Notable local people with Billingshurst Connections, p. 310.
  12. ^ Bearn, Emily (28 August 2002). "I'm a boring sod, really". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Israel Harding VC". Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Edgar Hubert 1906–1985". Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  15. ^ Hickman, Martin (8 June 2002). "Women who conquered the North Pole fly back to a nice warm bath". The Independent. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  16. ^ Lawes 2017, Pear Tree Farm and Frank Patterson, p. 169.
  17. ^ "Billingshurst actor stars in new film in cinemas across the UK". West Sussex County Times. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  18. ^ "James Tilley". 11 July 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  19. ^ Berry, Ollie (21 January 2019). "Billingshurst-based Brighton & Hove Albion forward Tilley praised for debut brace at Cork City". West Sussex County Times. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Ever Decreasing Circles - Billingshurst, West Sussex". www.tvlocations.net. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Boy's Traction Engine 1956". Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  22. ^ "Vintage Fire Brigade 1965". Retrieved 22 September 2019.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Lawes, Geoffrey (2017). Billingshurst's Heritage: An Historical Miscellany of a West Sussex Village. United States: Peacock Press. ISBN 9781912271023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Billingshurst.
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