Seafront homes may command the top prices, but its places like Portslade that are the real property hot spots in Brighton and Hove.

A growing number of young professionals are moving there from pricier parts of the city and young families are attracted by good schools and a friendlly community.

The town had both Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlements. Its name comes from the Latin Portus Adurni (mouth of the Adur).

The Old Village was developed in the 16th century, although many additions were made in the 19th century.

It was the coming of the railway in 1840 that brought a real housing boom to the area and the vast majority of houses in south Portslade were built in the Victorian and Edwardian era.

This area was known as Copperas Gap until 1897, when it was granted Urban District status and formally adopted the name Portslade-by-Sea.

A third development, Mile Oak, was built after the Second World War.

The flint-built Church of St Nicholas in the village is of Norman origin and has been the parish church since 1368.

Over the years Old Portslade became a typical Sussex village and was made a conservation area in 1947.

Residential development began in earnest in the 1930s when former farmland was put up for sale.

More development followed after the Second World War, particularly in neighbouring Southwick.

On the northern fringe of the community is the famous Foredown Tower, which appeals to everyone with an interest in science, nature and the environment.

The Edwardian former water tower is run by Portslade Adult Learning and is home to one of only two operational camera obscuras in the south east.

The viewing gallery offers 360 degree views from the Isle of Wight to the South Downs. The camera obscura is demonstrated on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.

Hidden away behind the old church of St Nicolas is Portslade Manor. A once proud building with a history going back many centuries, it now amounts to nothing more than a ruin. The site is run by English Heritage.

The main shopping area for Portslade is Station Road/Boundary Road where you can buy anything from a car to a packet of pins.

There is a large Tesco supermarket and many small specialist shops. There is a Sainsbury’s superstore in nearby Benfield Way (the link road that connects the A270 with the A27).

In the old village there are a few local shops, including a post office in Locks Hill and a grocery store in Valley Road.

Ye Olde Bakers Shop in Mill Lane produces fresh baked bread and cakes and is very popular, attracting regular shoppers from outside the area.

Local schools

  • Benfield Junior, Old Shoreham Road: 01273 294950
  • Mile Oak Primary, Graham Avenue: 01273 294880
  • St Mary’s RC Primary, Church Road: 01273 418416
  • St Nicholas C E Junior, Locks Hill: 01273 418026
  • St Peters Infant & Nursery, St Peters Road: 01273 721001
  • Portslade Community College, Chalky Road: 01273 416300
  • Peter Gladwin Primary, Drove Road: 01273 294959
  • Portslade Infants, Locks Hill: 01273 418850
  • Downs Park School, Foredown Road, 01273 417448