Westhampnett

Coordinates: 50°50′56″N 0°44′49″W / 50.84888°N 0.74691°W / 50.84888; -0.74691

Westhampnett
Church of St. Peter
Westhampnett  Westhampnett shown within West Sussex
Area	8.89 km2 (3.43 sq mi) [1]
Population	460 [1] 2001 Census
- Density	52 /km2 (130 /sq mi)
OS grid reference	SU883062
- London	53 miles (85 km) NNE
Parish	Westhampnett
District	Chichester
Shire county	West Sussex
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CHICHESTER
Postcode district	PO18
Dialling code	01243
Police	Sussex
Fire	West Sussex
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Chichester
List of places: UK • England • West Sussex

Westhampnett is a village and civil parish in the district of Chichester in West Sussex, England located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north-east of Chichester on the former A27 road, now by-passed.

History

As originally developed, the village is a scattering of houses around an Anglican parish church of Saxon origin, dedicated to St. Peter. The large churchyard contains an unusually large number of elaborate headstones, including plain and celtic crosses, indicating a wealthy congregation in past centuries.

Civil parish

The civil parish includes the hamlets of Maudlin, .5 kilometres (0.31 mi) north east, along the Roman road called Stane Street, and Westerton, 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) to the north. Towards Chichester is a disused watermill on the River Lavant. To the north the parish extends to Goodwood Racecourse high on the South Downs, including Goodwood House and most of Goodwood Airfield and motor racing circuit. The parish has a land area of 888.52 hectares (2,195.6 acres). In the 2001 census 460 people lived in 161 households, of whom 234 were economically active.^[1]

RAF Westhampnett

Main article: RAF Westhampnett

The airfield began as a World War II fighter base, opened in 1940 during the Battle of Britain when it was home to two Spitfire squadrons.^[2] Later used by the United States Air Force fighter squadrons, flying British Spitfires and Typhoons. Goodwood is now the venue for the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, at Goodwood House, and Goodwood Revival, at the motor racing circuit.

Present

Between Westhampnett church and Maudlin is the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars assembly plant, producing and testing the finished cars. Just to the south of the church is Chichester District’s main waste recycling centre.

England cricketer James Lillywhite was born in the village. Lillywhite was a member of England's first Test team in the first ever Test match in 1887 against Australia. Lillywhite was also the first captain of the England team.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "2001 Census: West Sussex – Population by Parish". West Sussex County Council. http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/communityandliving/census2001/pop_parish_summary.pdf. Retrieved 25 May 2009. 
2. ^ Battle of Britain 11 Group

See also

• Saxon Churches in Sussex

External links

Media related to Westhampnett at Wikimedia Commons