Westfield, East Sussex

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Known as Westewelle in the Domesday survey, Westfield in East Sussex is one of the largest villages in the area; and also a civil parish, the latter with a population of around 2,750. The village lies 6 miles inland and 2 miles to the north of the ‘Ridge’ which overlooks Hastings. Westfield has not suffered a population drift that has affected many villages as there is local employment such as the Wheel Farm Business Park where small companies have created 120 jobs. Carr-Taylor Vineyards is also local. There is still a village shop, newsagents, butchers and hairdressers,although the post office recently closed. There are two pubs The New Inn and The Plough.

A prominent sight as you enter the village from the south is that of the church - St. John the Baptist, which has served the parishioners for over 800 years. Its many features include extensive buttressing, a 12th Century porch and a 14th Century font with an elaborate 17th Century cover. Above the door to the tower there is carved a Royal Coat of Arms with the list of vicars since 1250 set below. As you look towards the nave you see a Norman arch with squint windows to the side, cut through the 32 inches of stone. Another feature at the road entrance is the lych-gate,with its four carved angels; this was added in 1887 as a memorial to a deceased child.