Picturing the Past

Look through the Midhurst pictures and it isn't long before you find The Angel Hotel, privately owned and closely associated with Midhurst and the neighbouring Cowdray Estate since the 16th century.

It is a fine example of an old-English coaching inn, sympathetically restored and upgraded. The hotel rightly prides itself on its heritage behind its neo-classical faade. Many quality architectural features from its Tudor origins remain in place.

One particularly attractive image in the Worthing collection shows it in 1898. On the right is the Angel with its ornate name lamp, sash windows and lamppost.

Houses and shops are in the middle distance.

A considerably more recent image, dating from 1961, offers a view across the street to the front and side of the former coaching inn '“ a three-storey timber-frame building with stucco on its brick faade.

Also fascinating are the images held at Worthing depicting the former King Edward VII Sanatorium, just outside the town. Rich in detail, one shows a private bedroom.

For full feature and more pictures see West Sussex Gazette March 4