Associate Partner at Gilbert & Cleveland, Tim Cooper, provides an overview of life in the coastal village of Pagham, West Sussex.
Pagham is a beautiful semi-rural village in West Sussex with a stunning stretch of coastline and is probably best known for its harbour, which is an internationally renowned Nature Reserve boasting an abundance of migrant birds and plant life. It is also one of the few undeveloped stretches of the Sussex coast.
As well as its wealth of wildlife and beautiful landscapes, Pagham also enjoys a rich historical heritage which dates back to 46 AD. Originally one of the largest ports in England, Pagham exported wool to the rest of Europe before its harbour was silted up in the 14th century. This commercial loss resulted in a huge gain for local wildlife. Pagham also played an important role during the Second World War and it is still possible to see a Mulberry harbour on the beach. Mulberry harbours were constructed in 1944 to allow thousands of troops to disembark from ships with greater ease and to ensure their cargo could be offloaded too.
The village is still home to many beautiful and historical buildings, including thatched cottages, an old windmill and St Thomas à Becket’s Church, which was built in the 7th Century and is considered to be one of the finest of its kind in England. Pagham is also well known for its historic inns and pubs, including The Lamb, The Inglenook and The Bear which each have their own tale to tell.
Among the properties for sale in Pagham, bungalows and apartments tend to be very popular due to the area’s retirement community. Many of the bungalows located around Pagham Beach originate from previous railway carriages and retain a lot of their characterful features, including windows and frames.
Pagham’s unspoiled coastal landscape coupled with its enviable location has seen the local property market thrive over the last two decades, especially given its popularity as a destination for retirement. The average house price stands at £256,132 and with demand outstripping supply, desirable properties are able to sell at a premium.
For property investors, Pagham offers great potential for those interested in buy-to-let as well as holiday lettings.
Not only is there a wealth of rich heritage to be enjoyed in Pagham, it is the perfect location for exploring the rest of West Sussex. Many tourists frequent the area to visit Goodwood Motor Circuit, to take advantage of its offshore surfing and yachting, and to explore The South Downs National Park, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Pagham also appeals to families and younger people thanks to its popular holiday park at Church Farm and its annual pram race that takes place on Boxing Day.
The village itself sits on the border of the popular resort town of Bognor Regis and so benefits from Bognor’s excellent transport connections and seasonal tourism. But it retains a more genteel feel than that of its ‘noisy’ neighbour.
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