Barnham has grown quite considerably since Roman times and from the time of the Doomsday Book when 24 households are recorded. Originally the village was clustered around the church of St Mary's where a tidal creek passed close by. The main occupation was fishing but according to legend it is said there is an underground passageway leading to the church used by smugglers!

A significant change occurred in Barnham with the advent of the railway when in 1864 Barnham station opened as a main junction on the Bognor line. The village gradually spread towards the railway station leaving the Church relatively isolated and surrounded by farmland. Barnham is now the largest of the Six Villages spreading more to the north and west and is split between the parishes of Eastergate and Barnham.

The main line railway is now a key feature with good rail links to London, Gatwick International Airport, Brighton and Portsmouth as well as locally to Bognor Regis, Chichester and Littlehampton enabling many people to commute daily. The journey to Victoria takes approximately 90 minutes.

The larger houses along the main Barnham Road and Downview Road were originally built for the "middle class commuters" after the opening of the railway. The newer part of the village that has built up between Barnham Road and Barnham Lane lies within the parish of Eastergate. This is a popular residential area with a mixture of 2,3 and 4 bedroom family houses and bungalows which are in walking distance of local schools and shops. Footpaths wend their way between the houses making it easy to walk to the main centre and railway station.

Barnham Primary School relocated from the site in Yapton Road to be more central to the community. It has approximately 260 pupils with ten classrooms, a hall, library, an ICT suite, special needs area, special support facility and administrative accommodation. There are hard surfaced play areas and a field for physical education and games.

St Philip Howard RC High School, within walking distance of the village, is a Roman Catholic comprehensive co-educational day school for pupils of 11-18

The main shopping centre has built up around the station. Barnham has a wide range of shops including a Post Office, pharmacy, a butchers, bakers, hairdressers, hardware shop, Co-op grocers, off licence to name a few. Also a Nat West bank with cash machine facilities. There are also several take away outlets, fish and chips, Indian and Chinese and kebabs and two pubs in the village: The Murrell Arms and The Barnham Bridge Inn.

St Mary's Church was recorded in 1086 but artefacts of Saxon origin have been discovered on the site. The church has one bell dating from approximately 1348 and is one of the oldest in Sussex. The Parish Office is situated by the main shops at "The Church in the Market Place". For full details of church services, events and other activities in the parish visit www.parishofabe.org.uk 

Along Yapton Road can be found Barnham Windmill which dates from 1830 and although it stopped working 50 years ago has now been restored, the sails added recently. By the mill are the Parsonage Farm Shops with an eclectic mix of shops selling vegetables, fruit, meat, pet foods, shoe repairs and picture framing.

Barnham has dental surgeries and a veterinary practice. Medical Surgeries are to be found in the adjoining villages of Eastergate and Yapton.

A Residents Association was founded in 1988 and a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is active in the village. Barnham Parish Hall is home to the Bridge Club, Women's Institute, Scouts, Short Mat Bowls and Parents and Toddlers Group. There is also a junior football team, Barnham Trojans, in the village for boys and girls aged 7-16.

There are several nurseries and garden centres along Yapton Road for those keen on gardening.

More detailed descriptions of the other three key parts of the area in which Hobdens operates can be viewed by clicking any of the following: Aldingbourne, Eastergate, Yapton & Ford

For a more general overview click The area in which Hobdens operates