Barcombe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barcombe (population 1,500) is a quiet East Sussex village lying just some 4-5 miles (6.4km) north of Lewes. It is also the name of one of the civil parishes in the Lewes District of East Sussex. Within the parish are Barcombe itself (the older of the settlements); Barcombe Cross, the larger of the two villages; and the area around Barcombe Mills, on the River Ouse.

Barcombe is probably best known to local Sussex folk and tourists for its 'Mills', a reference to an old water-mill complex on the River Ouse at the base of the hill upon which Barcombe Cross is situated. The Mills were a favourite Sunday outing for townsfolk from Lewes and Brighton before World War II, when the mills were burnt down.

Barcombe was recorded in the Domesday Book as "Berchamp", a reference to fields of barley. Remains have been also found of three Roman villas and an associated bath house just to the south of the village.

Barcombe parish church is dedicated to St Mary, and is in the older village.

1 Barcombe Stores And Post Office
2 Bonfire
3 Village Website
4 Karting
5 Communications
6 Fishing (Lakes)
7 External links

[edit] Barcombe Stores And Post Office

Opening hours: 7am-7pm Weekdays 8am-2pm Sundays and Bank Holidays

[edit] Bonfire

Barcombe Bonfire held once a year, two weeks after the Lewes celebration. Barcombe’s celebrations are hailed as close to Lewes as it gets and have been said to be the best village celebrations. The society is largely family orientated and everyone helps out with torch dipping, bonfire building etc. The Grand Firework Display is ‘grand’ as well as the 4 processions (including the dedicated Children’s Procession.) They always have many societies visiting and have a fancy dress competition: always well attended. The festivities always prove for a great night. The society’s website is: http://www.barcombebonfire.co.uk/

[edit] Village Website

The village has its own website: http://www.barcombe.net/.

[edit] Karting

Motor-racing driver Jamie Hunnisett lives in Barcombe. He came 3rd in last year's Junior Royale championship.

[edit] Communications

Road: the A26 road between Lewes and Uckfield runs south-east of the villages.
Rail: two railway lines ran through the villages: the line between Lewes and Uckfield opened in October 1868; and the line from East Grinstead, part of which is now the Bluebell Railway.

There were stations on each of the two lines: Barcombe on the East Grinstead line, and Barcombe Mills on the Uckfield line, with a junction south of the latter before the line continued to Lewes. Barcombe closed on 17 March 1958, whilst Barcombe Mills closed on 4 May 1969. Part of the line is now a cycle track.

[edit] Fishing (Lakes)

There are two fishable lakes in the Barcombe Parish, Barcombe Reservoir and Cornwell's Reservoir. Barcombe Reservoir is the biggest and is used for the Water Treatment Works at Barcombe Mills. It is popular for trout fly-fishing.