Middleton, Sussex

Middleton-on-Sea
Village sign
Middleton-on-Sea Middleton-on-Sea shown within West Sussex
Area	3.54 km2 (1.37 sq mi)
Population	5,077 (Civil Parish/Ward.2011)
• Density	1,434/km2 (3,710/sq mi)
OS grid reference	SU973003
• London	53 miles (85 km) NNE
Civil parish	Middleton-on-Sea
District	Arun
Shire county	West Sussex
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BOGNOR REGIS
Postcode district	PO22
Dialling code	01243
Police	Sussex
Fire	West Sussex
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
List of places UK England West Sussex 50°47′42″N 0°37′11″W / 50.79491°N 0.61967°W / 50.79491; -0.61967Coordinates: 50°47′42″N 0°37′11″W / 50.79491°N 0.61967°W / 50.79491; -0.61967

Middleton-on-Sea is a village, civil parish and an electoral ward in the Arun District of West Sussex, England, lying to the east of Bognor Regis and neighbouring Felpham. The parish also contains the settlements of Elmer and Ancton. The southern half is urban and the northern rural.

The village has a pub, "The Beresford Arms" named after Viscount William Beresford, who was a general in the British Army and also commander of the Portuguese armed forces.

In the 2001 census 5105 people lived in 2366 households, of whom 2206 were economically active, a lower than average proportion but higher than other coastal resorts. The 2011 Population was 5,077.

The ancient parish, called Middleton, had 370 acres (150 ha) in 1881 but had been reduced in area in previous centuries by sea erosion. The configuration of the western and northern boundaries suggests that the parish was once part of Felpham, and the name Middleton may refer to the manor's central position between Felpham and either Elmer or Cudlow in Clymping. Part of the eastern boundary was formed c. 1310 by a ditch and part by Elmer pool, while the north-eastern boundary follows the Ryebank rife. The parish was enlarged in 1933 by the addition of Ancton from Felpham parish and in 1971 had 892 acres (361 ha); its name was extended in 1934 to prevent confusion with other Middletons.

In 1801 there were only six houses in the parish; in 1841 there were nineteen, including the new manor house at Middleton and newly built coastguard cottages at Elmer. Most of the latter remained unoccupied after the departure of the coastguard until demolition between 1910 and 1932. Two larger houses were built during the same period: Middleton Field west of Yapton Road, home of the owner of the adjacent brickworks, and the half-timbered and pebbledashed Ancton Lodge.