Southbourne

Southbourne Parish comprises Lumley, Hermitage, Thorney Island, Prinsted and Nutbourne. Southbourne lies to the west of Chidham and south-east of Westbourne and to the east of the traditional border between Hampshire and West Sussex on the river Ems that flows into Chichester Harbour at Emsworth.

Follow the 4km mobile QR code trail and Google map to discover the heritage of Southbourne and its historical buildings, nature, famous people, wildlife ponds, walks and industrial heritage. There’s also a fabulous 9 mile (15 km) walk around Thorney Island to the beach and church.

Southbourne has been growing ever since the London and South Coast railway arrived in the mid 1840s. Initially there was no railway station, but in 1906 stations called ‘halts’ were added at Southbourne and Nutbourne on the line between Portsmouth and Brighton.

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Did you know?

At one time Southbourne had 4 flour mills. Slipper Mill and Lumley Mill in the west and Nutbourne in the east were all tidal mills. Gosden Green was a windmill. An American Aerodrome was also built in WW1 on the site of Bourne Community College, but was never used.

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Did you know?

Previously part of Westbourne the first mention of Southbourne is of Southbourne Council School in 1876, what used to be Prinsted Board School. In 1901 there were only 1,000 residents but, due to ongoing housing expansion, there are now over 8,000!

It has an Infant School and Junior School and is also home to Bourne Community College which takes secondary pupils from around the area. Bourne Leisure Centre and Southbourne Library serve the surrounding villages and settlements, with a popular Age Concern group and Southbourne Bowls and Social Club. It also has three marinas and boatyards.