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Wartling in East Sussex

Google map showing area surrounding Wartling
(World War II defence centre)
Location: 50.860156,0.354566
General Details
Wartling in East Sussex lies just on the edge of the Pevensey Levels, between Windmill Hill and Pevensey . There are two parts to the village Wartling Hill near to the church, and about two miles away to the North, lies Boreham Street which is also a very pretty village built on the main Ninfield to Hailsham road.

It was one of Haesta the Saxons boundary forts settled around 475AD and was used to control the Pevensey Bay estuary area. It was likely to have been a naval base as the Bay provided a protected harbour.

In the Domesday survey, it had a population of 280, land able to support 18 ploughs, woodland for 200 pigs three salt workings, and a chapel.

The chapel was mentioned as being given to the College of Hastings by the count of Eu. The current church dates from the 13th century, and is believed to lie on the land where the chapel used to be.

During the late 1500's there were a large number of French names recorded in the church register, it is probable that they had been employed at Ashburnham and other local Furnaces to help set up the cannon manufacturing process.

On the wall in the church are two very rare iron tombstone heads, which were created by Jonathan Harmer of Heathfield .

During the second world war many defence pill boxes were built in the area, to protect from invasion through the Pevensey Marshes. One of the first Radar stations was located at manxey level. To the east of the church, the R.A.F. had a radar control bunker during the Cold War which was used to direct fighters onto targets by radio.
Views
At the church, walk to the end of the graveyard, and look around, most of the land you see below you would have been covered with sea water at the last millennium. To the South East you can see Pevensey Castle , Eastbourne and the South Downs.

To get a feel for the remoteness of the area, turn East by the church towards Hooe , and stop by the river, even today there are not many buildings visible. This river was one of the main export routes for the iron cannons which were cast at Ashburnham furnace further upstream, until 1820.
Services
Wartling in East Sussex Hill is very small, and only has the Church and a public house for services.

Boreham Street has a number of restaurants, and a garage, and a tennis training centre.
Map
Wartling is shown as the red symbol on the map.

Nearby Villages

(click on symbol to see the village page)
Village= Town= Recorded in Domesday=
Ashburnham (Last Iron Furnace in Sussex)
3.78 miles
Battle (William the Conqueror prevails)6.92 miles
Bodle Street (White Horse on the roof)3.77 miles
Boreham Street (Picturesque village on top of the Ridge)1.30 miles
Catsfield (Iron, Railways and Clocks)
4.99 miles
Crowhurst (Village devastated by the Normans)
6.52 miles
Folkington (Teasles and Badgers)
7.14 miles
Hailsham (Ropes and Napoleon)
4.37 miles
Hellingly (Only remaining Ciric in Sussex)5.12 miles
Herstmonceux (Castle and Observatory)
2.47 miles
Hooe (The Haunt of Smugglers)
2.28 miles
Ninfield (Last of the Iron Stocks)
3.59 miles
Normans Bay (Last Invasion in 1066)2.94 miles
Pevensey (Ancient Roman Fortification)
2.80 miles
Pevensey Bay (Fishing and Martello Towers)
3.01 miles
Polegate (Fine old Tower Mill)5.47 miles
Westham (Enclosure for the Castle)3.38 miles
Windmill Hill (Largest Post Mill in Sussex)1.83 miles
Copyright Villagenet 1998-2024
 
Local Interest
Just click an image
Ninfield History Group
Roman, Saxon and Norman History of the South East
Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group
Hastings Rock the place to listen to
Battle and District Historical Society
Bexhill Museum
Battle Museum of Local History
(Hard to find but worth the Visit)
Talk in Code fabulous new Album
World War 2 Vehicle database
For all things mosaic, commissions workshops etc please contact Hannah
Wealden Iron Research Group
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