Pretty South Downs villages of West Dean, Charlton and Singleton are unspoiled by noise or light pollution

Surrounded by stunning downland countryside and steeped in history, a cluster of pretty villages within the South Downs National Park provides glorious living.

A few miles equidistant of bustling Chichester and Midhurst, the villages of East Dean, Charlton and Singleton are unspoiled by serious noise or light pollution.

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John Anstee, director, Tod Anstee Hancock, said: “The area could be considered a gem within the long list of outstanding areas to live within West Sussex.”

John said one of the major draws of living within ‘the valley’, the local name given to the collection of villages and hamlets, which also include West Dean and Chilgrove, is the ability to raise a family where the Downs are literally outside your front door, attend a local primary school rated Outstanding by Ofsted and access the coastal areas surrounding Chichester Harbour.

He said: “With our proximity to the Goodwood Estate, we have also seen the huge popularity of leasing rooms to visitors to the area.

“Not just popular with young families, the valley is also hugely popular for those looking to downsize – the combination of village life and proximity to local services is a huge draw.”

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Insofar as homes are concerned, John said the valley provides an impressive variety of architectural styles, ranging from thatched cottages to modern semi-detached housing, period semi-detached ‘duchess cottages’, barn conversions from a former dairy in East Dean and larger period homes.

He said: “The architectural styles within the valley very much reflect the rich history the area enjoys and, being Downland, flint is the predominant feature in many of the village houses.”

Despite the feeling of being remote, there are many nearby facilities and services, ranging from excellent primary schools to a popular pre-school, playgrounds, cricket and football pitches, two village halls and parish churches.

Fibre optic broadband has also recently been introduced and there are direct buses to Chichester and Midhurst.

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John said: “West Dean has a terrific village shop, and for a larger shop, Sainsbury’s is located just over the hill from Goodwood.

“For eating out, there is the hugely popular Fox Goes Free in Charlton, where the first meeting of the Women’s Institute took place, The Partridge Inn within Singleton and lovely cafes at both West Dean Gardens and the Weald and Downland Museum.”

Indeed, despite being truly rural, the area is steeped in history and rich facts.

Some of the equestrian paintings by celebrated artist George Stubbs were set around Charlton, while the village has also seen the filming of an episode for television series ‘Dr Who’ and, more recently, BBC Countryfile, which focused on conservation grazing on Levin Down.

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John said: “This all makes this area truly special and much loved by residents and visitors alike.”

Prices of homes in the valley are broad ranging.

“Given the huge desirability of the area and with the comparatively low number of properties for sale at any given time, there can be competition amongst buyers.

“Today, house prices generally start around £300,000 to £350,000.”

For further information on properties for sale in the Valley villages of West Dean, Charlton and Singleton, call Tod Anstee Hancock on 01243 523723.

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