West Lavington nestles deep within West Sussex four miles to the north of the South Downs and approximately one mile to the East of Midhurst Town. It's development started in the late 1700's as a group of huts and shelters at the cross roads where the lane from Midhurst to Heyshott crossed the lane from Selham to Cocking. Near to this crossing a Tannery is known to have existed at that time (early 19th Century) which had an ample supply of water from a brook now known as Costers Brook and a ready supply of Oak bark from the woods close by to give the needed tanning agent for producing leather.
Oldest housing known consisted of the Tudor farm houses built along the Selham/Cocking lane and two of these still stand to this day, (Oaklands Lower farm and Costards). The third being at Baileys farm was dismantled and moved to the Downland Museum at Singleton to make way for the sand workings in the 1950's. The fourth house in this series stands nearby just off the lane at Little Todham.
The houses named above possibly witnessed a great deal of activity on the lane leading from Chichester to Midhurst when a great pleasure garden was being constructed as part of the now famous 'Cowdrey Ruins' consisting of many laid out walks boarded by Yew trees, - some of these hedges grew on to provide the tallest Yew tree in England - ref Guinness Book of Records . Apart from tall trees this area, now known as the "Close Walks", was the venue for a great feast given to entertain non other than Queen Elizabeth 1 on her visit to Cowdrey House in those days. Details of this Royal visit and numbers of sides of beef, pork mutton and quantities of Swans, Geese, and other fowl consumed are held in the history books now in Cowdrey House.
Other large houses in the village include "Hill Top" house, home of the Fisher family, West Lavington House was destroyed by fire which also destroyed Highstanding Barn on the Midhurst/Selham lane.
West Lavington's one and only famous historical celebrity was Richard Cobden 1803-1865 born to a local farming family, he was known as the most vociferous of those advocating free trade in the middle 19th century. He was instrumental in the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. His grave is marked by a large tombstone in the church yard in West Lavington. He is also commemorated by an obelisk erected by the side of the lane at Pendean.
West Lavington first became a parish when the Church was built on high ground overlooking most of the area. A school was also added close by a few years later. The Church and School have written histories of their own.
At this time the boundaries of West Lavington where Costers Brook to the East, the River Rother to the north, the small stream running from New Pond to South Pond in the West and a rather poorly defined line running up Well Lane, along the main A277, across the fields behind Aulkers Farm, bringing the fields of 4 acres, 8 acres and 7 acres together with Lower Hill into the Parish before meeting Costers Brook again at Lower Meadow. Now, most of the land west of the A277 Chichester Road comes under Midhurst Town Council- See Map.
In 1866 the new Railway line cut across the Parish from Selham, through one bridge on Oaklands Lane (still there today) into a tunnel taking it under the A277 and into Midhurst Station. (The station was actually in West Lavington). The line to Chichester was just outside West Lavington's boundaries. The opening of the railway ended the use of West Lavington's canal and basin at the Midhurst gas works. Ie The Rother Navigation had opened in 1790. This Railway network, extending from Petersfield to Chichester and via Midhurst through to Petworth and beyond, was closed under the "Beeching Act" in the 1950's.
West Lavington has now reverted to a few small quiet communities within the Parish with just the One Public House - The Royal Oak - a coaching Inn - which is situated by the side of the Midhurst/Chichester road one mile south of Midhurst. West Lavington is generally regarded by both its inhabitants and visitors alike as a beautiful little area of West Sussex countryside.