The Ilex Way - A Sussex Secret Nature Pathway

Date Published 02 August 2023

Some of the most in-demand homes in the area around Goring by Sea and Ferring are to be found near the old Goring Hall estate. The attractions include being within easy walking distance of the sea, a nearby classic 'high street parade' of shops and good transport links.

However, one of the most popular local features has more to do with the natural world and the way that it has been incorporated into the local community since the nineteenth century. So what's the story of the Ilex Way?

Nature's corridor

An area of open space is to be found just back from the beach, stretching between Sea Lane, Goring and Sea Lane, Ferring. The northern most boundary of this is the main part of the Ilex Way, noted for the magnificent collection of oak trees that have naturally created an awe-inspiring arch.

Adding more leafy vistas, the Plantation is a further avenue of trees which runs up from the seafront inland to connect with Ilex Way. This separates the edge of Goring from the Goring Gap.

The Gap itself is an important corridor for many different types of wildlife which allows clear passage from land to sea, avoiding built up areas.

History and development

When Goring Hall was built by David Lyons in 1840 the impressive new manor house became a focal point of the area. It is thought to have been designed by Charles Barry, who had a major role in rebuilding the Palace of Westminster in London.

The current building is in fact a replica of the original which was built around 1889 after a fire destroyed much of the first construction. Currently in use as a private hospital, it had previously been a private boarding school for many years.

Ilex Avenue was conceived as an impressive carriageway over a mile long, stretching from Goring Hall to St Mary's Church. It was lined with Holm oak trees (Quercus ilex), a species of evergreen broadleaf which is usually found in the Mediterranean. However, the trees are known for their resistance to sea winds, making them a perfect fit for the winter climate in Sussex.

Legacy

Ilex Way Avenue is no longer used by traffic of any kind and is preserved as a local amenity that's extremely popular with walkers, dog owners and wildlife enthusiasts. Forming a 'T' shape with the similarly tree-lined Plantation, the whole area offers a unique mix of history, tranquillity and nature.

The urban build-up of Goring in the 1930s-1950s didn't threaten the legacy of the trees, but they faced being cut down by the council in the early 1980s.

Angry residents formed the Ilex Group and fought the proposal to fell the trees and were ultimately successful. It is down to this perfect example of community action that the avenue can still be enjoyed by everyone today.

As a local estate agent with more than a quarter of a century's experience helping people to buy and sell homes in Goring, we know and love things like the Ilex Way which make our area so special.

If you'd like to know more about anything to do with how special living here can be, get in touch and ask us - we'd love to talk to you!

Call 01903 501105, email goring@staffordjohnson.co.uk or pop into our office at 325 Goring Road BN12 4NX