Patching

Patching is a small village and civil parish tucked into the southern slopes of the South Downs National Park, in the Arun district of West Sussex. It sits about four miles east of Arundel and just a quarter of a mile from its neighbour Clapham, with the A27 running along the parish's southern edge. With a population of just over 250, it is one of those quietly unassuming Sussex villages that has changed little in character even as Worthing's suburbs have crept closer.

The name has evolved over a thousand years, from the Saxon "Paeccingas" (Paecci's people) recorded before the Domesday Book, through "Petchinges" in 1086 and "Passinges" by 1296, to something recognisably like "Patching" by the late 16th century. Up on the downland above the village, the flint mounds and hollows of Neolithic flint mines still mark the ancient landscape, and at the heart of Patching stands the 13th-century Church of St John the Divine, largely unaltered since its Victorian restoration in 1888.

Top things to do near Patching

Patching's appeal is less about the village itself and more about what surrounds it: some of the finest downland walking in West Sussex, historic sites, and easy access to the coast.

• Highdown Hill — a chalk hill just south of the village near Ferring and Worthing, topped by an Iron Age hill fort and the site of one of the largest known Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in England, with around 86 burials uncovered here.
• South Downs Way walking — the Patching and Angmering Park Estate circular is a popular local route through beech woodland and open downland, with far-reaching views towards the coast.
• Arundel — the historic market town with its castle and cathedral is only around four miles west, an easy trip for a day out.
• Worthing seafront — a short drive south brings you to Worthing's beach, pier and promenade.
• Angmering Park Estate — a large area of private parkland and woodland bordering Patching, threaded with public footpaths and bridleways popular with walkers and riders.

Getting to Patching

Patching lies just north of the A27, making it a straightforward stop for anyone travelling along the Sussex coast road between Worthing and Arundel. The nearest railway stations are at Angmering and Worthing, both a short drive away, with regular services along the coast towards Brighton and Chichester and up to London via Gatwick. There is no bus service directly serving the village itself, so a car is the most practical way to reach and explore Patching.

Best time to visit Patching

Spring and summer are ideal for exploring the downland footpaths around Patching, when the chalk grassland is at its most colourful and the views from Highdown Hill stretch clearest across to the coast. Autumn brings quieter lanes and good walking weather, while winter has its own appeal for those who enjoy bracing downland walks with far fewer people about.

Where to stay near Patching

Patching itself has no hotels, but its location just off the A27 puts it within easy reach of accommodation in Worthing, Arundel and Angmering, from seafront hotels to countryside bed and breakfasts.

Food and drink near Patching

The village is home to The Fox at Patching, a country pub and restaurant just off the A27 with large beer gardens and a children's play area, popular with walkers coming off the Downs. Beyond that, the wider choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants in nearby Arundel and Worthing is only a short drive away.