Hartfield
The Town
If your property finder knows that you’ve set your heart on village life, but you still want to be within reasonable proximity to London, picturesque Hartfield may fit the bill. This pretty village lies in the Weald district of East Sussex, and a quick look at the property search map will show it’s on the northern edge of Ashdown Forest. With a population of around 2,100, this charming location is 7 miles south west of Royal Tunbridge Wells, around 17 miles east of Crawley, just under 15 miles north east of Haywards Heath, and less than 50 miles south of central London.
Ashdown Forest itself is a site of special scientific interest: the heathland in particular is of international importance, accounting for around 3% of all the lowland heathland in the UK.
Your buying agent will be able to confirm that the parish of Hartfield also includes the settlements of Colemans Hatch, Hammerwood and Holtye.
Travel
Hartfield is on the B2026 between Uckfield and Edenbridge, and the B2100 between Forest Row and Tunbridge Wells. Property buyers will be interested to know that the nearest A roads are the A22 and the A26. In clear conditions it should take around an hour to reach the M25, 40 minutes to Gatwick and 90 minutes for Heathrow (Terminal 3). It’s around 45 minutes to Brighton, traffic allowing.
For property buyers who need to know how quickly they can reach central London, the nearest railway stations to Hartfield are East Grinstead (around an hour from London Victoria) and Crowborough (60 to 70 minutes to London Bridge).
The History
The town has one entry in the Domesday Book. In Norman times, this was a deer hunting forest, as the name suggests, and you can still see deer in the forest today, if you’re lucky. The extremely grand Bolebrook Castle, just north of the village, dates from the medieval era – ask your property finder for more information. The Dukes of Dorset were the principal landowners from the 17th to the 19th century. While the Forest suffered badly in the Great Storm of 1987, buying agents can confirm it remains a pleasant spot, with a wide variety of local fauna.
Leisure and Events
The village hall hosts youth groups, beavers and cubs, brownies and guides, the WI, groups for older residents, and a history group. There are two country pubs in the village: this part of the world has a host of traditional pubs to choose from. You will need to travel a little further afield, however, to Royal Tunbridge Wells or Crowborough if you’re hankering for a Chinese, Italian, Thai, or fish and chip supper. Check with your property finder for more details of local eateries.
In the forest you’ll find the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club, and there are regular woodland events. In Ashdown Forest itself you can enjoy bat talks, story sessions, walks with rangers, and horse-riding with one of the four licensed establishments. Property buyers who are keen on horse-riding will be pleased to know you can apply for riding permits. In the summer months you’ll find open air cinema nearby; the Byline Festival brings a variety of contemporary musicians to the locale, as well as other types of artist.
Education
If schools are a consideration in your property search, the Church of England primary school in Hartfield is now part of a larger federation; for older children, there are grammar schools, state schools and church schools in Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and East Grinstead. There are several colleges nearby, at East Grinstead, Crawley and Tonbridge.
Celebrity Connections
We’ve managed not to mention it until now, but probably the most famous resident of Hartfield is definitely Winnie the Pooh. His creator, author A. A. Milne, lived at Cotchford Farm. Ashdown Forest is the Hundred Acre Wood, and yes, you really can play Pooh Sticks at the bridge – although it is a well-kept secret and you should be prepared for quite an energetic walk. It’s a great way to recharge your batteries to help fuel your property search. Don’t expect amusement parks, however – the Pooh trail remains quite understated and unspoilt.
Foodies’ Corner
You will find local produce served here, especially in the pubs and tearooms. In the forest itself, buying agents will be able to steer you towards “Pooh” themed tearooms, as you’d expect, so plan for “hunny”, crumpets, and maybe a spoonful or two of jam.
Fun Fact
The UK’s largest spider, the raft spider, can be found on the heathlands of Ashdown Forest.