Alfred Day came to The Hermitage, on the north side of the Chichester to Arundel road, in 1887 to train racehorses. While researching the history of the area, he found a reference on a 1630 map to Fontwell. This was the name of the spring in front of his house, the only watering-hole on this major south coast route, and which the Romans had originally called "Fons". Passing monks are said to have added the "well" part of the name. Day brought the name Fontwell back into use. (courtesy of http://www.fontwellpark.co.uk)