South Stoke, West Sussex

For other uses, see South Stoke (disambiguation).

Coordinates: 50°52′49″N 0°32′34″W / 50.88021°N 0.54279°W / 50.88021; -0.54279

South Stoke
South Stoke Church
South Stoke  South Stoke shown within West Sussex
Area	5.35 km2 (2.07 sq mi) [1]
Population	44 [1] 2001 Census
- Density	8 /km2 (21 /sq mi)
OS grid reference	TQ026099
- London	47 miles (76 km) NNE
Parish	South Stoke
District	Arun
Shire county	West Sussex
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ARUNDEL
Postcode district	BN18
Dialling code	01903
Police	Sussex
Fire	West Sussex
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Arundel and South Downs
List of places: UK • England • West Sussex

South Stoke is a small village and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex, England. It is located two miles (3 km) to the north of Arundel, and is situated on the west bank of the River Arun on the edge of Arundel Park. It is reached by road from Arundel. A footpath leads to North Stoke on the east bank. The civil parish, which includes the hamlet of Offham, covers an area of 534.86 hectares (1,321.7 acres) and has a population of 44 persons (2001 census). The parish church, Saxon in origin, is dedicated to St Leonard. There is one public house, the Black Rabbit at Offham.

The Monarch's Way long-distance footpath crosses the western edge of the parish between Houghton and Arundel.

The village population declined after 1806 when common land was enclosed to make Arundel Park, depriving the villagers of sheep grazing land.

The parish church

The 11th century building is recorded in the Domesday Book, when the village was named as "Stoches". Built of flint it has a thin western tower which carries a 19th century broach spire with four slatted dormer windows. There is one bell dated 1657. The porch is 13th century.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "2001 Census: West Sussex – Population by Parish". West Sussex County Council. http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/communityandliving/census2001/pop_parish_summary.pdf. Retrieved 3 April 2009.