Serving the local community, campers, cyclists & walkers
Welcome to our website, and welcome to our shop!
Welcome
If you are new to Graffham, or plan to visit, then we would like to welcome you to our beautiful village in the heart of the South Downs National Park.
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From the time we first moved to Graffham to run the Village Shop in 2008, we have been made enormously welcome by everyone in this small but vibrant community.
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As shopkeepers, we aim to supply our villagers with everything on their weekly shopping list so they need not go further afield! In our shop you will find all you need to survive - fresh milk and bread daily, meat & fish, fruit and vegetables, dry goods, wines and beer, as well as newspapers, magazines, a selection of toiletries and household goods.
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Recently we have expanded our shop to increase the range of goods sold and we now have our own café serving hot drinks and snacks to visitors and villagers alike.
Shop Fresh Seasonal Produce from the Local Community
We love West Sussex so, wherever possible, we aim to support the local economy. We stock many product ranges from Sussex and our main regular deliveries of dairy products and meat are both locally sourced. Village enterprise is also in evidence in our store - fresh free-range eggs come from just over a mile away; if you are lucky you may find fresh cakes made by residents of the village and surplus garden produce in season. Health and the environment are concerns close to our hearts so we stock several organic ranges as well as vegan and gluten-free products.
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While "local" and "organic" are important to us, as the single grocery store in the village we aim to cater for all customers, by stocking as wide a range of products as space permits. We are always open to suggestions from customers as to how we can improve our services.
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We look forward to seeing you in our shop!
Welcome Walkers, Ramblers, Cyclists & Campers
Campers & Caravaners
Right at the heart of the new South Downs National Park, Graffham Campsite must surely rank among the most idyllic sites in the country!
Here you can benefit from the facilities assured by the Camping and Caravanning Club whilst pitching your tent or parking your caravan in natural woodlands which back onto National Trust land at Lavington Common & Plantation. Wake up to the sound of the birds in your own private pitch surrounded by trees; wander through the bluebells in the campsite and surrounds. Visitors to Graffham return again and again - and some of us who live in Graffham have been been known to camp there too!
Graffham Village Shop is just one mile from the Graffham Campsite, and open seven days a week; only a short walk to collect fresh bread and croissants each day, or to buy complete provisions for your holiday. We also supply GAS and you can pick up a newspaper here too.
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New to Sussex? At our shop you will find a wide range of locally produced foods. Why not try some “Sussex Charmer” (its a cheese!) with a bottle of lager from Goodwood Farm or a local bottle of red wine from Hennings just from down the road in Petworth.
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Then, when you have stocked up on provisions, stay and enjoy a cup of coffee or a cold drink in our café and meet some of the locals! We are a friendly crowd; campers often come and join in local events such as the Summer Fete or film nights in the Empire Hall. Details of most village events as well as Church services can be found in our parish magazine (copies available in the shop or online at the Graffham Parish News website). A full listing of activities in the village is updated regularly on the Graffham website.
Cyclists, Walkers & Ramblers
Graffham is only a short walk from the South Downs Way, with several footpaths leading up to this national trail. Once on the Downs, you may like to stop for a moment to look at our own nature reserves owned by the Graffham Down Trust, or investigate the ancient barrows and cross-dykes on Heyshott Down.
For those who prefer walking or cycling along the flat, the Serpent Trail meanders around the edge of the village, crossing the heathlands of Lavington and Graffham Commons on route to Heyshott and Midhurst. There, rare wildlife species such as the Dartford Warbler, may be found. If archaeology is your interest, several bronze age tumuli can be seen on Gallows Hill.
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Graffham Shop Café: Walkers, Ramblers and Cyclists are always welcome at Graffham Village Shop where they can enjoy a convenient break with a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate in our café, or sit at our outside tables with freshly baked pastries or sandwiches. Ice creams and ice cold drinks are also always available for visitors in the summer. Why not let us suggest a packed lunch for your onward journey?
Further Resources:
Coffee, snacks, newspapers and FREE WIFI now available in the café at Graffham Village Shop
Store owners Thievandiram and Vasukee Jeevathasan, known locally as Jeeva and Vasu, were handed the award by Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, on Saturday morning of 08th August 2020.
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Mr Griffith said: “I have seen so many great examples of West Sussex communities pulling together – its been the silver lining of this Covid crisis.
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“In the case of Graffham Village Stores, the owners Jeeva and Vasu really helped to hold the village together at a difficult time and I was delighted to present them a Community Champion award.”
The owner of Graffham Village Shop has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his support to the village during the pandemic.
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Theivandiram Jeevathasan — known locally as Jeeva — was awarded the BEM by the Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex Susan Pyper, after being recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2020 for his services to the community during Covid-19.
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As she presented the medal to Jeeva, Mrs Pyper said: “This is a very special occasion. Graffham is so lucky to have you, and I am so proud to have you in West Sussex, for all you do for this village.”