Southwick means ‘south dairy farm’. Over time this farm grew into a small village.

The Augustinian monks from Portchester founded Southwick Priory in the mid 12th century. In 1539, following the Dissolution, Henry VIII sold the priory and its assets to John Whyte. The Estate is still owned and managed by the descendants of John Whyte.

Southwick House was requisitioned by the Government during WWII but much of the rest of the original Estate remains intact.