Brightling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Brightling | |
| Population | 373 {2001 census} |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Rother |
| Shire county | East Sussex |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Dial code | 01424 |
| Police | Sussex |
| Fire | East Sussex |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| List of places: UK • England • East Sussex | |
Brightling is a village and civil parish in the Rother District of East Sussex, England. It is located on the Weald 8 miles (13km) north-west of Battle and four miles (6km) west of Robertsbridge.
The village lies in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and due to its vantage point commands views in all directions.
The village's most famous inhabitant was probably John 'Mad Jack' Fuller, (1757-1834) MP for Sussex and eccentric. He was a prolific folly builder and there is, his mausoleum, 'The Pyramid' in the churchyard next door to his house of Rose Hill. The grounds of Rosehill were laid out by Capability Brown (1716-83). In the area are also 'The Observatory', 'The Needle', 'The Sugarloaf, 'The Temple' and 'The Tower'. There is also 'The Wall' which was built around Brightling Park, Jack's estate. It has been said that this was built as a means of employing returning soldiers from the Napolionic wars.
The village pub used to be 'The Green Man' on the corner opposite the church but it is said that as part of the arrangements to build 'The Pyramid' Jack Fuller caused the pub to be relocated approx 3 miles towards Robertsbridge at Oxley's Green.
The Parish includes outlying hamlets Cackle Street, Hollingrove, Oxley's Green and Twelve Oaks. Brightling, Hollingrove and Cackle Street all had their own shop with a Post Office in Brightling itself. These have all closed with the passing of time.
Also in the parish is Brightling Down (197m), the local vantage point topped by 'The Needle' and used a beacon point hence Brightling Beacon.
The most obvious 'industry' in the area is agriculture yet well hidden is the Gypsum mine with conveyor to the Mountfield plaster board processing plant.
There is an annual horse trials run at Brightling Park (formerly Rose Hill).
