Upper Pendant M was probably built in the seventeenth century. It was once two shops with one being a tin general purpose store built alongside. The tin shop was demolished around 1956 when the general store was combined into the main building. Next door stood the undertaker.

Church Hill to Finch Field. Remember to walk on the right hand side facing any traffic on route to Finch Field Car Par. Half way down Church Hill can be seen “The Old School House”N. This was the first village school and was built in 1839. Although the new school in North Lane opened in 1874, the original school remained open for infants until 1901 Historic West Hoathly Our beautiful village of West Hoathly has many historic buildings worth exploring. In the village centre we have the 11th Century St Margaret’s Church which has seen the village grow around it, West Hoathly including the Manor House and the Priest House museum. Once, the village shops were able to supply everything required. These included a butcher, baker, general stores and Heritage Trail haberdashery. There were five village pubs in 1899 and West Hoathly had its own band and even its own Fire Station. Farmers would often walk their cattle to market, some five miles away. Then in 1882, the railway arrived in West Hoathly on the line from Lewes to East Grinstead, part of which

is now the famous . N Church Hill to Finche Field There were many sporting groups and clubs and the village Remember to walk on the right hand side facing any traffic en New Stile school regularly won competitions against neighbouring and route to Finche Field Car Park. county schools. More delightful views across the Countryside towards the South Down’s can be capturedHalf from way the downfootpath Church at New HillStile can O. Ahead be seen you can“The see Old Highbrook School Church House”. which as a The Village Hall developed from a reading room and was used United Benefice,This was is thelinked first by the village Vicar ofschool St Margaret’s. and was A walbuiltk back in 1839.up the stepsAlthough opposite to for a time during the Second World War as a school for the Finche Fieldthe newwill take school you to in the North Toiscope Lane which opened points in to 1874, other the local original towns and school villages. children evacuated from . In 1946 West Hoathly had its remained open for infants until 1901. In 2018 a new Beacon has been built alongside to mark the Centenary of the end of World own cinema when Granada set up a mobile cinema that toured War One and is lit on special occasions forming a chain of Beacon’s across Sussex. around Surrey and Sussex. Today the Parish has over 2000 residents and although many shops and facilities have been lost, it retains its charm and appeal. We hope you enjoy our Heritage Trail around the centre of the village which will take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete.

We would like to thank the following for their help and contributions to our Heritage Trail: West Hoathly Bonfire Society for their kind sponsorship of this leaflet. West Hoathly Local History Archives.

Roger Bourne (Map). Royal Observer Corps Heritage Collection, Newhaven. O New Stile Delightful views across the Sussex Countryside towards the West Hoathly Parish Council. can be captured from the footpath at New Gatwick Airport Community Trust. Stile. Ahead you can see Highbrook Church which, as a United Benefice, is served by the Vicar of St Margaret’s. A walk back up Other places to visit in the Parish: the steps opposite Finche Field will take you to the Toposcope Selsfield Common towards for delightful walks. which points to other local towns and villages. The old station site in Station Road, , where you can In 2018, a beacon was built to mark the Centenary of the end view the Bluebell Railway steam trains passing through the village. of World War One and is lit on special occasions forming a chain of beacons across Sussex. The Church and Smokery in the hamlet of Highbrook.

Finche Field A Near to the car park in Finche Field was the site of a Royal Observer Corps Nuclear monitoring post. Built in 1962 and in operation until 1992, the post would be manned by volunteers whose task it was to measure the force of any nuclear attack on Sussex and report back conditions of the area. There were some 40 monitoring posts in Sussex, part of the Warning and Monitoring Organisation Posts which were manned by teams of three during times of serious threat during the cold war. Today the monitoring post which was built to withstand a nuclear attack is covered over and used as a picnic area. The Cat Inn J is a sixteenth century building with a Victorian extension opposite the bus shelter. There are a number of unproven local tales including a secret smugglers tunnel between the pub, the Church and the Manor House! There is in fact an underground stream classroom on the right hand side can still be seen. Various withChurchyard a well which over you can the see Southtoday inside Downs the restaurant are outstanding area. (A further andwell is a behind special Theextensions Toilet block F haveat the entrance taken toplace the recreation over the ground years was originally as the the population village Fire Fountainviewing Cottage) area whichhas been could be built. where the tale originates. It is also said the last villain to Station.of the Operated village by theexpanded Parish Council, and a hand it became cart was pulled compulsory around the village to attend as be hung in Sussex was captured in the Cat. There is some truth in this as he stopped for requiredschool. by volunteers who formed the local Fire Brigade. refreshmentsThe village whilst centre being chased is Queens by the local Square authorities, at but the was actually front captured of The still Cat in theInn. village The but end at Selsfield of the House. Second World War witnessed dancing in Thethe Cat Square staff will alsountil tell youthe about early the ghosthours they of have the seen next – pop day.in for Ita pint is andalso keep said yourvillagers eyes open! held bonfires in the Square.

A Finche Field Near to the car park in Finche Field is the site of a Royal Observer Corps Nuclear monitoring post. Built in 1962 and in operation until 1992, the post was manned by volunteers whose task was to measure the force of any nuclear attack on Sussex and report Ring of treesback B theseon conditions were plante ind inthe 1937 area. to commemorate There were somethe Coronation 40 monitoring of King George VI. The chosenposts site in stands Sussex, out a partt one ofof the the highest United points Kingdom of the village Warning and can and be seen from the South Downs and East Grinstead. Monitoring Organisation Posts which were manned by teams of F The Lavatory at the entrance to the recreation ground three during times of serious threat during the Cold War. Today, When disbanded, the building became a store and was used by the local players to keep the monitoring post, which was built to withstand a nuclear theirwas scenery originally and props. the village Fire Station. Operated by the Parish Council, a hand cart was pulled around the village as required attack, is covered over and used as a picnic area. As we turn around and return towards the Church, several private houses still show signs of J The Cat Inn is a sixteenth century building with a Victorian by volunteers who formed the local Fire Brigade.  their previous use as shops or Public Houses. extension opposite the bus shelter. There are a number of TheWhen building disbanded, opposite the school the buildingwas once the became village butchers a store shop and where was Roy usedMaynard by unproven local tales including a secret smugglers’ tunnel became the last butcher of West Hoathly. The butchers moved into this shop in 1927 from between the pub, the Church and the Manor House! There the local band to store their instruments. It was then used as a itsgarage original building by the which village is a little nurse. further down the road and is today the Catholic Chapel. is in fact an underground stream with a well which you can

see today inside the restaurant area. The well is in line with As we turn around and return towards the Church, several others at Fountain Cottage, Upper Pendent and Rose Cottage private houses still show signs of their previous use as shops which could be where the tale originates. It is also said the last Steps to Church Hill C at the entrance to Garden Mead from Finch Field were or builtpublic forhouses. the villain to be hanged in Sussex was captured in The Cat. There is

some truth in this as he stopped for refreshments whilst being villagers during the Second World War by Prisoners of War who were basedThe at buildingthe prison opposite the school was once the village butcher shop where Roy Maynard became the last butcher in West chased by the local authorities, however was actually captured camp at The Beacon. Only half of Garden Mead was built at this stage. The houses on the whilst still in the Parish but at Selsfield House. WhenHoathly. the chapel The was butchera butcher’s shop relocated G, it was operated to this by the shop “Smith” in family 1927 who today from left (Church side) were built upon local allotments after the war had finished.stillpremises haveThe relations Italian further living in downthe village. the The roadphoto taken which in 1910 is shows today a different the Catholic spelling of Hoathly on the butcher’s bike advertising panel. The name The Cat is believed to have come from the arms of Chapel. the Dorset family which included spotted leopards. prisoners would have been used for a number of jobs around the village like this. They B Coronation Clump, these were planted in 1937 to The Manor House K as built in 1627 and was originally known as The Great House.  The Cat staff will also tell you about the ghost they have seen – mixed well with the localscommemorate and were the probably, Coronation pleased of King George to have VI. The been chosen out of harm’s way! A long corridor can be seen upstairs at the front of the Manor House. The Court of the Stepssite stands to Church at one Hill Cof at the the highest entrance points to Garden of the Mead village from and Finc canh Field be were built for the pop in for a pint and keep your eyes open! villagersseen from during the the South Second Downs World and War East by Prisoners Grinstead. of War who were based at the prison Rectorial Manor of West Hoathly, the Court Baron, was held in the Court Room. The Lord of camp at The Beacon. Only half of Garden Mead was built at this stage. The houses on the the Manor would sit on the dais in the Court Room where copyholders could address him. left (Church side) were built upon local allotments after the war had finished. The Italian prisoners would have been used for a number of jobs around the village like this. They mixed well with the locals and were probably, pleased to have been out of harm’s way!

The building next to the Cat Inn car park, now “Fountain Cottage” H was also once a public house and then became a Tea Room. In the actual village rather than the outlying area, there were once five pubs, The New Inn, The Fountain, The Cat, The Vinols Cross and the Station Hotel better known as the Bluebell opposite the old station. The ability to travel by train or bus toWhen local towns the Chapel like East became Grinstead aand butchers Haywards shop, Heath itwith was their operated many cinemas G and eveningby the dance “Smith” as well family as the introduction who today of stilltelevision have had decendants an impact on livingthe social in scene of the a small village. village. The photo taken in 1910 shows a different spelling of Hoathly on the butcher’s bike advertising panel. C Steps to Church Hill at the entrance to Garden Mead from Finche Field were built for the villagers during the Second K The Manor House was built in 1627 and was originally World War by Prisoners of War who were based at the prison known as The Great House. Gardencamp at Mead The and Beacon. Sandy LaneAt this D time only half of Garden Mead had been built as the houses on the Church side were built on The Priest House L dates back to the fifteenth century. This Hall House has been altered The Court of the Rectorial Manor of West Hoathly, the Court Garden Mead and SandyAallotments small Lane housing D after estate the was end built of onthe the war. field The known Italian as Garden prisoners Mead were commencing in the mid manyBaron, times was and held was in once the a derelict Court Room.building Thethat Lordwas finally of the restored Manor and opened as a 1930’sused for and a completed number ofafter jobs the around war. the village. They mixed well museumwould sit in 1908.on the The dais museum in the is opeCourtn from Room March where until Octobercopyholders each year and worth a

A small housing estate Inwithwas Sandy the built Lane locals near on and tothe thewere fieldjunction probably known of North pleased Laneas Garden twoto have new housesbeen Mead out now ofcommencing stand on what was in the mid visit.could address him. onceharm’s a wheelwrights way! yard in use until the 1930’s. 1930’s and completed after the war.

Queens Square to the Priest House Museum. In Sandy Lane near to the junction of North Lane two new houses now stand on what was once a wheelwrights yard in use until the 1930’s. The village centre is “Queens Square” at the front of the Cat Inn and the Church. The end of the Second World War witnessed dancing in the square until the early hours of the next day.

It is also said villagers held bonfires in the Square, something todays Health and Safety The building next to the Cat Inn car park, now Fountain wouldH frown upon! Cottage, was also once a public house and then became a tea Stroom. Margaret’s In the Church actual I is over village, 900 ratheryears old than and has the been outlying exten ded area, a number there of times. The originalwere once Norman five Church pubs, consisted The New of theInn, section The Fountain, next to the Thetow erCat (built Inn, around The 1500). Standing outside the Cat you can see the next two extensions of the Church including a Vinols Cross (now The Fox) and the Railway Hotel better known as blockedthe Bluebell, up window opposite next to the where old the station. altar once The stood. ability A chapel to travel was builtby train on the porch side whichor bus was to thenlocal extended towns like towards East theGrinstead porch and and into Haywards the size of Heaththe Church with you see today. The Church is open every day from around 9am until 4pm and there is an excellent leaflet their many cinemas and evening dances, as well as the introduction available with a guided tour inside St Margaret’s. The views from the Churchyard over the D Garden Mead and Sandy Lane of television, had an impact on the social scene of a small village.  South Downs’ are outstanding and a special viewing area has been built. L The Priest House was built in 1430 by . This  ANorth small Lane housing estate was built on the field known as Garden hall house has been altered many times and was once a derelict

MeadWest Hoathly commencing Church of in the Primary mid School 1930s E was and established completed on the after right hand the side war. of Upperbuilding Pendant that M was was probablyfinally builtrestored in the seventeenthand opened century. as a It wasmuseum once two in shops North Lane. The second school was built on this site in 1874, the first school is now a private In Sandy Lane, near to the junction of North Lane, two new with1908. one Thebeing museuma tin general is purpose open store from built March alongside. until The tin October shop was demolished each residence in Church Hill. houses now stand on what was once a wheelwright’s yard in aroundyear and 1956 well when worth the general a visit. store was combined into the main building. Next door stood use until the 1930s. the undertaker.

I St Margaret’s Church. St Margaret’s Church is over 900 years old and has been

extended a number of times. The original Norman Church consisted of the section next to the tower, which was added around 1500. Standing outside The Cat you can see the next

two extensions of the Church including a blocked up window E North Lane  next to where the altar once stood. A Chapel was built on the M Upper Pendent was probably built in the seventeenth The school was extended just 16 years later but the original classroom is on the right hand  West Hoathly Church of England Primary School was on the south side which was then extended towards the porch to give Churchcentury. Hill to It Finch was Field. once two shops with one being a general eastside. Various side extensionsof North have Lane taken builtplace over in the1874. years Theas the firstpopulation school of the isvillage now a the church you see today. expanded and it became compulsory to attend school. purpose store built alongside. ‘The Tin Shop’ was demolished private residence on Church Hill. Remember to walk on the right hand side facing any traffic on route to Finch Field Car Par. The Church is open every day from around 9am until 4pm and around 1956 when the general store was moved into the main Half way down Church Hill can be seen “The Old School House”N. This was the first village The school was extended just 16 years later but the original there is an excellent guided tour leaflet. The views from the building. Next door stood the undertaker’s. school and was built in 1839. Although the new school in North Lane opened in 1874, the original school remained open for infants until 1901