We live in UK's ‘new Cotswolds' – we kept our lovely village hidden but now fear posh-welly invasion will kill its charm
IT has picture-postcard streets, scenic views, beautiful walks and has been dubbed the new Cotswolds.
But residents in an idyllic hamlet are now terrified their beloved village will turn into a posh tourist magnet.
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Fittleworth in West Sussex has been named one of 2025's Coolest Neighbourhoods To Move To in a list compiled by The Sunday Times.
Visitors say the village is the best-kept secret in Sussex but worried locals want it to remain that way.
Two hours from London and 25 miles north of Brighton, it is nestled in the South Downs and has just 1,000 residents.
Home to a popular old coaching inn, a gallery, a primary school, two churches and a community-owned shop incorporating a cafe and post office, the sprawling village, close to Pulborough, boasts some excellent walks and views.
It also has its fair share of celebrities - musicians Bryan Ferry and Dave Gilmour live up the road, while Mumford and Sons bassist, Ted Dwane, is just outside the village.
And the late actors Dame Maggie Smith, Dorothy Tutin and Jimmy Edwards all lived in or close to the village during the 1960s and 70s.
But residents now fear their idyllic area could become the next 'Chipping Norton,' a dreaded hive of tourist activity with soaring hotel prices, Airbnb conversions and coach-loads of visitors packing the streets.
"I hate Chipping Norton," said one elderly resident, who has lived in Fittleworth for 50 years.
"It is packed full of tourist coaches and people taking photos of everything.
"Someone I know who used to live there moved out when a bunch of tourists traipsed in through her front door and asked for a cream tea.
"When she tried to shoo them out, one of them got his camera out and took a picture of her front room!
"Fittleworth has so much more to offer. I've been here for 50 years and it is the sense of living in a community that I really like.
"I don't want tourist coaches and the like clogging up our roads and ramping up the price of things in our local shops."
Fittleworth Village Stores, which opened just six years ago, recently won best village shop in Britain.
Toni Humphrey, manager, said: "The root of the success of our village store lies in what it can provide as a community hub.
"It appeals to everyone, young and old, and is a real meeting place. It was set up by the community, with residents buying shares into the business, and it has just taken off.
"People come here to catch up with friends and to pass on news. We welcome everyone and it's just a very relaxed place."
As well as a cafe, kiddies playground and villages stores, it also provides a post office for the community.
The shop has nine permanent members of staff and 30 volunteers - and almost 20 teenagers doing work placement.
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Located next to the primary school, it has become an invaluable asset for parents.
Janet Claxton, who volunteers at the Village Stores, said: "The village is really alive. There's always something going on here."
Meanwhile, The Swan Inn, a Grade II listed coaching house dating back to 15th century, has recently reopened after a huge refurbishment.
Formerly brewery-owned, it closed in the Covid pandemic, but after a huge investment is back in business, offering top-notch country pub food and accommodation.
Places like Fittleworth are special. It has a lot of charm.
Deborah Wright
It's owned by Sussex-born restaurateur, Angus Davies, who has masterminded a transformation that has seen visitors coming from far and wide to stay in one of its 12 rooms.
Mr Davies, who has worked at other pubs and restaurants including Chez Bruce, Lorne, and Sorrel, said he wants to offer all the comforts of a country pub with top-quality service and experience.
The inn has a long and illustrious pedigree. During the late 19th and early 20th century, the beauty of the South Downs attracted writers, musicians and artists.
JMW Turner, Rudyard Kipling, Constable, Emmeline Pankhurst and composer Hubert Parry have all signed the visitors book, while composer Edward Elgar lived in a small cottage above the village from 1917 to 1921, where he wrote his final four major works.
"I'm proud of what we've achieved here,' said Mr Davies.
"It's been a real labour of love. It has an honesty about it and we are getting a lot of interest."
But the Swann now has increasing competition in another sign of the village's rising status.
Residents have mixed views on the rise in local Airbnbs. A quick survey by The Sun showed 25 in and around the village with some charging as much as £430 a night.
They are becoming a magnet for Londoners in particular escaping the city's chaos at weekends and during school breaks.
Upper Fittleworth has been the centre of the village since Saxon times and is home to St Mary's Church, parts of which date back to the 1200s.
Vicar, Reverend David Crook, said: "There is a really great atmosphere in the village. It's a friendly place and we get a lot of help around the church.
"I've been here six years and love it. People chip in and help with the church flowers and we have a very active congregation."
Deborah Wright, a church warden who moved to Fittleworth 10 years ago, said: "Places like Fittleworth are special. It has a lot of charm and has a really active community life."
Visitors Sylvia Mason and Steve Jarvis had travelled from Chichester to have a look round the village.
"I've driven past loads of times but never thought to stop," said Ms Mason.
"I heard about it being a really desirable place to live and so we decided to come and have a look.
"It's actually very lovely. I don't know the Cotswolds but Fittleworth is really very pretty and the people who live here are so friendly. What more could you ask for?"
Up until 2025 the village was a well-kept secret and locals feel that, despite all the recent clamour, it will remain so.
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Another long-time resident said: "Let Chipping Norton have the tourists. We're happy as we are.'
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