West Grinstead
{{Short description|Village and parish in West Sussex, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{distinguish|West Grimstead}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = West Grinstead
| country = England
| civil_parish = West Grinstead
| region = South East England
| static_image = St. George's church, West Grinstead.JPG
| static_image_caption = St. George's Church, West Grinstead
| area_total_km2 = 25.84
| population = 2,934
| population_ref = 2001 Census
3,054 (2011 Census){{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11130351&c=West+Grinstead&d=16&e=62&g=6474346&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1475589668547&enc=1|title=Civil Parish population 2011|access-date=4 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics |work=Neighbourhood Statistics}}
| population_density = {{convert|114|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
| os_grid_reference = TQ171207
| coordinates = {{coord|50.9741|-0.33309|display=inline,title}}
| post_town = HORSHAM
| postcode_area = RH
| postcode_district = RH13
| dial_code = 01403
| constituency_westminster = Arundel and South Downs
| london_distance = {{convert|38|mi}} NNE
| shire_district = Horsham
| shire_county = West Sussex
| website =
}}
West Grinstead ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|g|r|ɪ|n|s|t|ɛ|d|,_|-|s|t|ɪ|d}}{{cite Routledge|Grinstead}}) is a village and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It lies just off the B2135 road four miles (6.3 km) northwest from Henfield. It is within the ancient division of the Rape of Bramber.
The western River Adur flows through the village.
The parish of West Grinstead covers an area of 2584 hectares (6382 acres) and consists of the villages of West Grinstead, Littleworth, Partridge Green and Dial Post. In the 2001 census 2934 people lived in 1099 households, of whom 1547 were economically active. At the 2011 Census the population was 3,054
The village should not be confused with the much larger town of East Grinstead which lies 17.5 miles (28 km) to the north-east.
Churches
{{main|Shrine Church of Our Lady of Consolation and St Francis}}
{{main|St George's Church, West Grinstead}}
{{main|St Michael and All Angels Church, Partridge Green}}
The Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation dates from 1876 and is the Roman Catholic parish church. It is an important centre of Catholic pilgrimage in England. Two notable figures are buried in its grounds: Anglo-French writer and poet Hilaire Belloc (friend of fellow Catholic, G. K. Chesterton)[http://www.consolation.org.uk Catholic Shrine] and English writer Antonia White.{{cite book |last=Vail |first=Anne |date=2004 |title=Shrines of Our Lady in England |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hjyc9bPITKgC&pg=PA207 |location=Leominster |publisher=Gracewing |page=207 |isbn=0852446039 |access-date=26 June 2022 }}
St George's Church is the Church of England parish church. Its mission is shared with St Michael and All Angels Church, Partridge Green.
History
File:Knepp Castle - geograph.org.uk - 238677.jpg
Knepp Castle is located to the west of the village near the A24. It was a motte castle and founded in the 12th century by William de Braose. Some remains of the keep still stand.
The modern Knepp Castle nearby is a castellated mansion by John Nash.{{cite web |title=Knepp Castle |url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=396721 |publisher=Pastscape |access-date=2011-06-15}}
Leisure
The Downs Link long-distance path runs through the parish and can be used for walking or cycling.
References
{{commons category|West Grinstead}}
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{{Horsham}}
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