It is possibly best known for its large manor house, which survived from medieval times to the 1960s Offington means Offa's farmstead.

In 1086, the Domesday Book the settlement was recorded as Ofintune in the ancient hundred of Steyning in the Rape of Bramber.

[4] Following the successful Norman invasion of 1066, Offington, along with neighbouring settlements continued as part of the rape of Bramber.

[5] By the mid 15th century there was a large complex of buildings including at least one courtyard, a chapel, a guest-house, and a gate-house.

[6] There is a local legend that a tunnel containing buried treasure led from Offington House to the ancient hill fort of Cissbury to the north and was protected by a serpent.