The Virgoe Family of Sussex
Brighton is a seaside resort on the south coast of England between the South Downs and the English Channel. Once called Brighthelmstone, Brighton began to attract more visitors following improved road transport to London. The town developed in popularity as a health resort for sea-bathing as a purported cure for illness. The town continued to grow as a major centre for tourism following the arrival of the railways in 1841.
Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is a former royal palace built during the early 19th century. The Brighton Marine Palace and Pier opened in 1899. To the northwest of Brighton is the village of Henfield. Lying on the east bank of the River Adur, the village prospered due to the tanning industry. It was also an important staging post and many fine coaching inns are to be found in the village. |
To the west of Brighton, at the mouth of the River Adur. is the town of Shoreham-by-Sea. Shoreham is dominated by its port facilities and the huge chimney of the Shoreham Power Station at Shoreham Harbour. The old cottages, houses and churches of the historic town centre reflect the heritage of Shoreham as a fishing village.
Wisborough Green lies in the north-west corner of West Sussex, it is a typical England village with pubs, a church, a pond and the village shop built around the village green. The wealth of Wisborough Green was based on the iron and glass industries before the industrial revolution made it possible to manufacture and transport metal on a much larger scale.
To the west of Wisborough Green is the village of Billinghurst, which is located on a narrow strip of land between the River Arun and the River Adur. Billinghurst is laid out along the line of the old Roman road which linked London to Chichester. It also lies on the London mainline railway line and the route of the Wey and Arun Canal. Billinghurst derived much of its early trade from coaching traffic on its way to and from London. |
The village of Loxwood lies to the north of Wisborough Green, close to the border with Surrey. The Wey and Arun Junction Canal was a major waterway linking London to the south coast. It opened in 1816 and brought prosperity to the Loxwood area before its closure in 1871.