Heathfield, East Sussex

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Heathfield






Statistics
Population:
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	[1]
Administration
District:
Shire county:	East Sussex
Region:	South East England
Constituent country:	England
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Ceremonial county:	East Sussex
Historic county:	Sussex
Services
Police force:	Sussex Police
Fire and rescue:	{{{Fire}}}
Ambulance:	South East Coast
Post office and telephone
Post town:
Postal district:	TN21
Dialling code:	01435
Politics
UK Parliament:
European Parliament:	South East England

Heathfield is a small market town, and the principal settlement in the civil parish of Heathfield and Waldron in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. It lies near the junction of two main roads: the A 267 between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne; and the A265 from Hawkhurst. It lies almost equidistant from Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne: approximately 16 miles (26km).

Historically, Heathfield lay on an ancient trackway (The Ridgeway), connecting the South Downs with the Weald. Its market charter was granted in February 1316 during the reign of Edward II. The Wealden iron brought prosperity to the town during the 16th/17th centuries; the coming of the railway in 1880 gave it another new lease of life. The latter was not a financial success and the branch line between Eridge and Polegate closed in 1968. The trackbed is now named the Cuckoo Trail, part of the National Cycle Network.

The original village - Old Heathfield - is now only part of the town, which has expanded over time. The parish church is dedicated to All Saints: an example of a Harmer terracotta decorated gravestone is in the churchyard.

Heathfield Park contains a folly named the Gibraltar Tower.

The village holds an annual fair- the Heffle Cuckoo Fair - every April.

Approximately 1 mile from the town is the Heathfield transmitting station, a 135 m high mast which broadcasts TV and radio signals to East and West Sussex, plus parts of south Kent.

Heathfield is the home of Heathfield Community College which has a cachement of Mayfield, Burwash, Waldron and Hurstmonceux. There is also a wide area of entertainment that Heathfield offers including the Heathfield Silver Band, a silver band which rehearses in their own premises in Alexandra Road. They also have a Training Band for beginners.

Famous residents include Tom Baker and Jayne Torvill