Intro page
A brief history of Portslade
We suggest you start and finish the trail in Easthill Park.
The trail is best explored using a mobile phone or tablet which has wi-fi. Information for each location is accessible in two ways. Either watch the Youtube video, or you can read the information set out on each page.
The trail follows a logical path, which is then reflected in the set up of the web pages. However, feel free to wander at your leisure.
The only thing we ask is you remember that some of the properties on the route are private residences (Kemps, Whychote, Old Farm House, Old Riding stables) and ask you not to wander into their gardens etc. Thank you.
Portslade is known to have had human settlements from the late Ice age, which was over 10,000 years ago. From Romans, to Saxons, via the Normans, and through the Tudors, Georgians and Victorians, Portslade has had a large number of diverse settlers.
The South downs geology supports agriculture
and mineral deposits, which allowed farming, early industry and life to flourish. In addition to this, there was a natural harbour for transport. The "Port" in Portslade is therefore self-explanatory, with Slade deriving from the Germanic word slaed, meaning a
shallow valley.
From around 8000BC, nomadic hunter-gatherers found their way to Sussex, possibly from mainland
Europe, which was still connected to England by massive ice sheets. It was a tough life, with families constantly on the move in a never-ending search for food.
Farming became more widespread in Britain by 4000BC, and people tended to settle in an area, rather than wander in search of food. Cattle, sheep and goats would be reared for food, and
small communities of people were common.
By the end of the late bronze age - about 800BC – the population was increasing, and the use of metal to make tools and everyday items was widespread. Indeed, a large metal working site has also been discovered by the A27 by-pass. There is even evidence of a 2000 year old
Portslade Henge, which
archaeologists discovered near to Mile Oak Farm.
From 40AD to 400AD sees the advent of the Roman empire. Drove Road, which goes past the old riding stables and Peter Gladwin School, is thought to be an original Roman road.
But it is not until just after 1066 that there is any documented evidence of Portslade. And that’s where our trail begins.
Your walk
will take you back to the times of William the Conqueror, through to Henry VIII, and up to the Second World War. You will hear of triumph, tragedy, poverty and wealth. There was even a Portslade resident as a named character in a Shakespeare play. Enjoy the walk, and learn a little of our lovely village's incredible history.
Written by Stephen Mills
First stop on the tour:
Easthill House, Easthill Park.
Click on the picture once
you are there or I-pad users
