Wilmington, East Sussex

Wilmington, situated about six miles north-west of Eastbourne in East Sussex, is a village rich in history. At its heart stands the 12th-century Parish Church of St Mary and St Peter, adjacent to the evocative ruins of Wilmington Priory, also dating from the 12th century. These ancient structures offer a glimpse into the village’s medieval past.

The village name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Wineltone and Wilminte, meaning ‘the town or settlement of Wighelm’s or Wilhelm’s people’. This long heritage is reflected in the enduring character of the village.

Nearby, the Long Man of Wilmington, a striking 69.2-metre chalk figure carved into the downs, dominates the landscape. This iconic landmark lies within the civil parish of Long Man, which also includes the villages of Folkington and Milton Street.

Milton Street, a hamlet within the parish, is known for the Sussex Ox pub and was famously featured in an episode of The Goon Show. The parish also contains areas of special scientific interest such as Milton Gate Marsh, a wetland habitat important for rare invertebrates and breeding birds, and Wilmington Downs, noted for its rare chalk grassland and archaeological significance.

The parish is crossed by the A27 trunk road and the Wealdway long-distance footpath, linking it to the wider South Downs and surrounding countryside. This blend of historical sites and natural beauty makes Wilmington a distinctive part of East Sussex.