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Mark Cross in East Sussex

Google map showing area surrounding Mark Cross
(Policeman arrests eccentric landowner)
Location: 51.060890,0.258288
General Details
Mark Cross in East Sussex is a small village sitting on the junction of the Tunbridge Wells to Mayfield and Wadhurst to Crowborough main roads.

The area was settled in the Iron-Age when Saxonbury Camp was built with its defensive ditch , to the north of the village.

In 1375 a number of men from Frant were reported to have broken into the Archbishop of Canterbury's Estate of Frankham, where they took deer wounded others with arrows and badly injured the park keeper and his men.

A somewhat eccentric local yeoman called Bridger used to live here. He was very tall, with fiery red hair plaited into a pigtail, which he kept tied halfway down his back with a white satin ribbon. He took little trouble with his appearance, but he was generous and kindly man. He owned a large estate with a lodge that he allowed tramps to sleep in.

Once a local policeman(who must have been a newcomer to the district), saw a ragged man crouched over a fire of sticks near the lodge, he took him into custody, and marched him off to Mark Cross , where the magistrates were sitting. To their great surprise, the offender was found to be none other than Bridger himself.

Rearing himself up to his full height, he told the policeman, 'I'll trouble you not to come interfering on MY land in future'
Views
Mark Cross in East Sussex has some spectacular views across the Sussex countryside, the best can be seen from the steps of the village church facing west towards Crowborough .

There are some pretty views to the South East, from the crossroads.
Services
Mark Cross in East Sussex has limited services.

The nearest major town is Tunbridge Wells about 6 miles to the north. The nearest small town is Crowborough about 6 miles west.

The nearest train services run from Wadhurst about 3 miles east.
Map
Mark Cross is shown as the red symbol on the map.

Nearby Villages

(click on symbol to see the village page)
Village= Town= Recorded in Domesday=
Bells Yew Green (The ruins of Bayham Abbey)3.34 miles
Crowborough (The home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)4.04 miles
Eridge Green (The home of the Neville Family)3.04 miles
Five Ashes (Vast collection of rock plants)4.36 miles
Frant (King Johns hunting lodge)2.51 miles
Groombridge (Home of the Groombridge Gang)4.81 miles
Hartfield (A.A.Milne and Winnie-the-Pooh)
7.03 miles
Lamberhurst (Scotney Castle and Gardens)6.44 miles
Mayfield (Saint Dunstan and the Devil)
2.80 miles
Rotherfield (Source of the rivers Rother and Uck)
1.99 miles
Stonegate (Ancient Roman Cross Road)5.56 miles
Ticehurst (Anne Boleyn and Pashley Manor)6.66 miles
Wadhurst (Last bare fisted Prize-Fight in England)3.48 miles
Withyham (De La Warrs and Sackvilles)6.09 miles
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Local Interest
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World War 2 Vehicle database
Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group
The Bald Explorer for local documentaries
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The Rudes as lots of people call us, are an outdoor touring theatre company specialising in taking new & original theatre to mainly small rural communities and a few towns across the South of England. We were founded in 1998 & first toured in the Summer of 1999. Currently we tour only in the summer performing 50+ times nightly during June, July & August. https://therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
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Ninfield History Group
Battle and District Historical Society
Winchelsea Museum
Talk in Code fabulous new Album
Wadhurst History Society