A picturesque little village situated between Pulborough and Petworth in West Sussex, Fittleworth has long been the haunt of artists and anglers. It is a quiet peaceful village in a wooded area close to the River Rother. The pleasant narrow lanes are interspersed with delightful stone cottages. Hidden away, deep in the woods to the north is a cottage named “Brinkwells”, said to have been the one time home of the great composer, Sir Edward Elgar.
Fittleworth is dominated by the church of St Mary, which was subject to extensive renovation work in the 19th century. Fortunately it’s two medieval bells have been retained which date from the 14th and 15th centuries. The Swan Inn dates from the 14th century, and from 1536 it was a coaching-inn. The stables remain, showing it once enabled a change of horses for the royal couriers of the King's Post en route from London to the coast, before the long climb up the South Downs.
There is a primary/junior school in the village, and the school has organised summer and Christmas Fetes as well as a village firework show for the community. The village has a very strong sense of community, and there are lots of activities and groups running in Fittleworth for all ages.
The larger town of Petworth is approximately two and half miles away and offers more comprehensive amenities and is an atmospheric place with a wealth of history. It is home to Petworth House and Park, part of the National Trust.
