Writers in Sussex: Exploring H.G. Wells' Connections
- Ellen Cheshire
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 minutes ago
With Sussex Day (16 June) around the corner, those who enjoy exploring places through literary eyes will find a wealth of connections between H.G. Wells, his iconic works, and the beautiful West Sussex landscape. From the charming town of Midhurst and the historic Cowdray Ruins to the heart of Chichester, these key locations played a role in Wells' early life and inspired some of his most famous works, including The Invisible Man.
H.G. Wells' Early Years in Midhurst and Uppark House
H.G. Wells' connection to West Sussex is deeply personal. As a child and young adult, he lived in Midhurst, where he attended and later taught at Midhurst Grammar School (now Capron House, part of the South Downs National Park Authority). A blue plaque at the school commemorates his time there.
During his years in Midhurst, Wells' mother, Sarah Neal, worked as a housekeeper at nearby Uppark House, a stately home now under the care of the National Trust. Wells humorously referred to his mother as "the worst housekeeper" in his semi-autobiographical novel Tono-Bungay. Her experiences at Uppark provided rich material for Wells’ writing and played a significant role in his family's survival during financial hardship.
If you're visiting the area, Uppark House is well worth exploring to gain insight into the world Wells' mother inhabited and its possible influence on his storytelling. For a deeper look into Sarah Neal’s life, The Housekeeper’s Tale by Tessa Boase offers fascinating details.
Tip: Stop by the South Downs National Park Authority Visitors Centre in Midhurst, where you’ll find a time-travel-inspired history display and can pick up a leaflet about H.G. Wells and his links to the area.
Literary Inspirations: Midhurst and The Invisible Man
Wells' time in Midhurst shaped his imagination and literary output. The town appears under the fictional name Wimblehurst in several of his works, including The Man Who Could Work Miracles and Tono-Bungay. Wells himself once reflected fondly on his time in the town: "Midhurst has always been a happy place for me. I suppose it rained there at times, but all my memories are in sunshine."
One of Wells’ most famous novels, The Invisible Man (1897), is set in the nearby village of Iping. While the book is set in Sussex, the 1933 film adaptation was not definitely not filmed there! Still, Wells' knowledge of the area undoubtedly helped create the novel's vivid sense of place.
The Cowdray Ruins, visible from his school, may not have directly inspired his stories, but they add to the atmospheric history of Midhurst.
The 1933 Film and Sussex Connections
The 1933 film adaptation of The Invisible Man was directed by James Whale, who originally cast Boris Karloff for the lead role. However, Claude Rains ultimately played the part, launching his Hollywood career.
The screenplay was written by R.C. Sherriff, a playwright and screenwriter who lived in Selsey and Bognor Regis for a time. His house in Bognor bears a blue plaque in his honour, though its current state raises concerns about how long it will be there.
Boris Karloff, known for his portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster in Whale’s Frankenstein (1931), spent his final years in Bramshott * (just over the border in Hampshire). He passed away at King Edward VII Hospital in Midhurst on 2 February 1969. Karloff was cremated at Guildford Crematorium, Surrey, where a plaque in the Garden of Remembrance commemorates him.
Chichester and The Fountain Inn
In the heart of Chichester, The Fountain Inn is a must-visit for those tracing Wells’ family history. In the 1820s, Wells’ grandparents were the landlords of this historic pub. Today, it remains one of Chichester’s oldest inns, offering visitors a chance to soak in the atmosphere and imagine the world Wells’ ancestors inhabited.
H.G. Wells and Sci-Fi in Sussex: A 2014 BFI Celebration
In 2014, as part of the BFI’s Days of Fear and Wonder sci-fi season, Midhurst and Chichester hosted a series of events celebrating H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man and John Wyndham’s The Village of the Damned. The event was featured on an ITV Regional News segment (broadcast on 18/09/14), which included interviews with Michael Sherborne, Dr. Benjamin Noys, and me.
Filming took place at key West Sussex locations, including the atmospheric Cowdray Ruins in Midhurst, The Fountain Inn in Chichester, and the South Downs Planetarium. These locations not only highlighted Wells’ and Wyndham’s literary ties to the region but also showcased Sussex’s role in shaping British science fiction.
Suggested Route to Explore H.G. Wells' Sussex
For those keen to follow in Wells’ footsteps, here’s a recommended route:
Start in Midhurst: Visit Capron House (formerly Midhurst Grammar School) and the South Downs National Park Authority Visitors Centre.
Walk to Cowdray Ruins: Take in the Gothic remnants that formed part of Wells’ childhood landscape.
Drive to Uppark House (Approx. 15-minute drive): Explore the stately home where Wells’ mother worked and which featured in Tono-Bungay.
Visit Chichester (Approx. 30-minute drive): End your journey at The Fountain Inn, where Wells’ grandparents were landlords.
Bonus Stops: R.C. Sherriff’s West Sussex Connections
For those especially keen on literary history, consider these additional stops:
Selsey Pavilion: R.C. Sherriff, renowned for his play Journey’s End, had a holiday home in Selsey. The Pavilion Theatre staged several productions of Journey’s End during the 1930s, with Sherriff attending rehearsals and advising the cast before his departure to Hollywood. Read more about R.C. Sherriff and Selsey here.
Bognor Regis (Marine Park Gardens): Across from these gardens stands Sandmartins, a grey house with a green roof, where R.C. Sherriff lived for a while. His time in Bognor inspired his 1931 novel The Fortnight in September, about a family's holiday in Bognor. But hurry, the house may not be there much longer!
A Final Thought
H.G. Wells' connections to Midhurst and West Sussex are rich in history and creativity. From his time at Midhurst Grammar School to the landscape that inspired many of his works, West Sussex played an integral role in shaping one of the most influential science fiction authors of all time. The next time you wander through Midhurst or explore the South Downs, take a moment to reflect on how this beautiful region helped forge Wells' literary legacy.
“We all have our time machines, don’t we? Those that take us back are memories… Those that carry us forward are dreams.” – H.G. Wells
Happy Sussex Day!
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