Findon lies entirely within the South Downs National Park. Its landscape ranges from Findon Dry Valley and species-rich chalk downland to paths, the Iron Age Cissbury Ring and the Findon Sheep Fair. Those weighing up nature and culture when choosing a destination will find a range of points of interest here: landforms, specific features of walking routes, and a history spanning archaeological sites and a fair tradition.
Findon’s Landscapes and Habitats
Findon Dry Valley is the most significant dry valley on the local secondary escarpment. The landscape also includes hard chalk grassland, historic sheep pasture and areas of scrub. These habitats provide space for a wide variety of plant, bird and animal species. For nature lovers, both the distinctive landform and the range of habitats are central; Findon’s landscape cannot be reduced to a single type of nature.
The season also matters when it comes to nature: in summer, Cissbury Ring is home to chalk downland butterflies, including the Adonis blue and the chalkhill blue. This is a specific seasonal aspect alongside the enduring description of Findon’s landscape. Those interested in plant and animal life can consider these two perspectives separately when planning their trip, rather than combining them into a general promise of nature.
Paths and Differences to Consider
Public rights of way, bridleways and the long-distance trail The Monarch’s Way connect Findon with the surrounding countryside. The long-distance trail reaches Findon at its eastern entrance via a rough chalk and flint path. The Nepcote Circular Walk, by contrast, has an approximate distance listed: around 1.7 miles. These route details allow for a specific comparison: the Nepcote Circular Walk’s length is a useful reference point, while for The Monarch’s Way it is the described surface at the eastern entrance.
Another route links to the history of the landscape: the Cissbury Ring history and nature trail follows the course of an old route that once ran from Broadwater to Steyning. Cissbury Ring is also the second-largest Iron Age hillfort in southern England. The route and the archaeological significance offer different perspectives: the trail follows an earlier connection between two places, while the hillfort turns the focus to the Iron Age.
Architecture and Traces of the Past
Findon’s architectural history also spans different periods. The Parish Church of St John the Baptist has a nave arcade dating from the transitional period to Norman architecture. Findon Place is an example of Classical Georgian architecture and is listed Grade II*. A residential building has stood on the grounds of Findon Place since AD 980. These details combine a specific architectural classification with the estate’s much earlier history.
Another historical trace is the archaeological site of Muntham Court Romano-British site, which was in use from the 1st to the 4th century AD. Racehorse training is also part of Findon’s history: it dates from 1854 to the present day. Together, these topics reveal different layers of time without needing to be assigned to a single era.
The History of the Findon Sheep Fair
The history of the Findon Sheep Fair dates back to a charter from 1261 permitting an annual three-day fair. The Findon Sheep Fair itself began at Nepcote Green before 1785. Its present-day format developed as a village fete featuring a sheep show and display. The three details tell different parts of the story: the early permission for a fair, the later stated beginning of the Findon Sheep Fair itself, and the development of its format.
Discover more destinations: Fernhurst, Rake, West Wittering, Horsham, Bognor Regis, Rusper, Wisborough Green, Ardingly.
For the main travel overview: West Sussex.
