Poynings
Poynings (/ˈpɔɪnɪŋz/ or locally /ˈpʌnɪŋz/) is a village and civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. The parish lies wholly with the South Downs National Park. To its south is Brighton and Hove, to its west is the Fulking parish, to its east is the Newtimber parish and to its north is Albourne parish. The planning authority for Poynings is the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), the statutory planning authority for the National Park area.
| Poynings | |
|---|---|
Poynings from the South Downs | |
Poynings Location within West Sussex | |
| Area | 6.66 km2 (2.57 sq mi) |
| Population | 287 2001 Census 432 (2011 Census) |
| • Density | 43/km2 (110/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TQ264120 |
| • London | 42 miles (68 km) N |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRIGHTON |
| Postcode district | BN45 |
| Dialling code | 01273 |
| Police | Sussex |
| Fire | West Sussex |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| UK Parliament | |
| Website | Poynings village |
The village is located on the north side of the South Downs near Devil's Dyke, five miles (8 km) north-west of Brighton. The civil parish covers an area of 665.5 hectares (1,644 acres) and has a population of 287 (2001 census), including Newtimber and increasing to 432 at the 2011 Census. The area was known as “Puningas” in 960AD. Some have suggested the name came from "sons of Puna" or "people of Puna", Puna being the nickname of a hammer-wielding Saxon leader. Others have suggested it means, “The people of the pond”.
The downland scarp, which includes the Fulking and Perching bostals (paths), is part of the Beeding Hill to Newtimber Hill designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.