Sussex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>It’s hardly surprising that Ticehurst is steeped in history, given that it dates back to the 14th century and has the coaching inns, cottages and townhouses to prove it. But it’s not just a pretty face, it has community vibe, indie shops and pub culture – think wellies and fido at the bar, while families enjoy Sunday lunch at the table opposite. The village is located just below Tunbridge Wells meaning locals can take advantage of the proximity to Bewl Water (the largest stretch of open water in the South East) where you can take part in water sports or enjoy a G&amp;T on a rowing boat.&nbsp;Ticehurst delivers the warm and fuzzies and is beautifully British. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/4-8.jpg" alt="Interior of Birchwood restaurant" class="wp-image-65913" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/4-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/4-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/4-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/4-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/4-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Birchwood</figcaption></figure>



<p>As mentioned, the gastropub rules supreme in Ticehurst, and your first stop has to be at Muddy National Award-winner <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-bell-ticehurst-east-sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell Ticehurst</a> it caters to every personality and preference with gastropub-style food and a fine dining restaurant as well as seven rooms and four garden lodges with quirky touches. You’ll want to head for a pint or G&amp;T at <a href="https://www.theroyaloakflimwell.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Royal Oak</a> a local family run pub complete with kids play area and beer garden. Closer to the centre of Ticehurst are <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebullticehurst/?hl=enand" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bull Inn</a> and <a href="http://www.thecherrytreeticehurst.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cherry Tree Inn</a> both a&nbsp;hit with locals offering great food, a perfect pint and suitable for families. </p>



<p>Sitting pretty just out the outskirts of Ticehurst is Filmwell Park&nbsp;– a pioneering new mixed-use woodland centre – which is home to <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-birchwood-restaurant-filmwell-park-ticehurst/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birchwood</a> restaurant (pictured) with a green Michelin starred chef at the helm, a menu obsessed with flavour, sustainability and locality plus, and unrivalled views of a birch and chestnut tree forest. If it’s beautifully British tearooms you’re after then head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ggcisuppose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greedy Goat Café “I Suppose”</a> with homemade baked treats and colourful homey touches.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-12.jpg" alt="Greenfinch shop Ticehurst " class="wp-image-65915" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-12.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-12-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-12-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenfinch</figcaption></figure>



<p>For a small space, Ticehurst certainly hits its quota for interior design offices and architects, but when it comes to shopping the jewel in the high street’s crown is <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/greenfinch-ticehurst-sussex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenfinch</a> a fabulously quirky and eclectic art gallery and gift shop selling work from artists from Sussex and Kent, it’s the dream destination for a window shop and gift buying. For the eco-conscious, (shouldn’t that be all of us) there’s zero-waste shop <a href="https://buytheweigh.shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy The Weigh</a> a dry food shop without any packaging – you know the drill! </p>



<p>Sticking with the green theme is <a href="http://theoldhaberdashery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Haberdashery</a> who sell vintage homeware, pre-loved textiles and all the haberdashery paraphernalia you need to up-cycle your own pieces. For fashion finds, there’s Field specialising in womenswear.&nbsp;If it&#8217;s florals you&#8217;re after stop by <a href="https://www.theartbunch.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Art Bunch</a>, who offer bespoke bouquets, plants and of course gifts (don&#8217;t forget the gift to self too) – using British flowers as much as possible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>For those after more of a relax <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/wild-iris-spa-ticehurst-east-sussex/">Wild Iris</a> spa at Filmwell Park is a luxury woodland space overlooking a forest with a special room above the canopy of trees to drift away from the stresses of daily life.  Also at this unique space is <a href="https://www.wealdenosteopaths.co.uk/">Wealden Osteopaths</a>, just be sure to walk though the birchwood forest after. <a href="https://www.wealdenpilates.co.uk/book-online">Wealden Pilates</a> has a studio in Ticehurst. You&#8217;ll find a range of beauty clinics in neighbouring Wadhurst, (a 10 minute drive away) Muddy likes farm-based <a href="https://oakhurstbeauty.com/">Oakhurst Beauty</a> on the Kent border. Ticehurst has it&#8217;s own GP surgery but there are options in Wadhurst too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Each year The Bell hosts a Literary Festival, usually held in April, it has a programme of talks and workshops for adults and children making for a fun family day out.&nbsp;For a small space it certainly packs a punch socially with clubs and societies covering cricket, gardening and history. The recreation ground is a great spot for families to play football, cricket and tennis. While <a href="https://www.ticehurstvillagehall.co.uk/">Ticehurst Village Hall </a> is a hub of local activity from kids dance classes to yoga, art groups, table tennis and so on. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/1-13.jpg" alt="Wild Iris Spa Ticehurst Sussex" class="wp-image-65919" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/1-13.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/1-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/1-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/1-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/1-13-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wild Iris Spa</figcaption></figure>



<p>How’s this for a claim to fame? The country’s first ever pick-your-own opened at <a href="https://www.maynardsfruit.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maynard’s Fruit Farm</a> in Wadhurst. <a href="https://www.bewlwater.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bewl Water</a> ideal for those on two wheels with some amazing cycle routes and dog walking galore. It’s great for water sports including rowing, sailing and canoeing. Wait, there’s more sporting fun to be had at <a href="https://www.dalehill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dale Hill Golf Club</a> less than a mile from the village. Sticking with the theme of the great outdoors, there is <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest</a> is close by offering play trails, plus a Go Ape, and endless cycle and walking routes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-13.jpg" alt="Scotney Castle Kent" class="wp-image-65920" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-13.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/09/2-13-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">National Trust&#8217;s Scotney Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s hardly surprising that Ticehurst has a series of historic homes on its doorstep. First up is the Grade I listed timber-framed manor house built in 1550 at <a href="https://www.pashleymanorgardens.com/">Pashley Manor Gardens</a> who also host a tulip festival every spring.&nbsp;Just across the border, in Kent is the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Trust’s Scotney Castle</a> where you get two bites of the historical cherry. First up is the Elizabethan style home built in 1837 and below at the bottom of the valley is the ruins of a Medieval castle.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>This is £527,707, however, the majority of sales in Ticehurst were terraced, selling for an average of £435,857. Detached homes sold for £784,000, with semis fetching £556,360.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Ticehurst" class="wp-image-70786" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/11/Untitled-design-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 4 bedroom family home in Ticehurst. <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/148570940#/?channel=RES_BUY">On the market with Green Lizard for £725,000</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.parsonagenursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parsonage Farm Day Nursery</a> is the one to head for and has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. There is also <a href="https://www.ladybirdsnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ladybirds Nursery and Pre-School</a> which was rated as ‘Good.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>The village has two primary schools, <a href="https://www.stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk/esussex/primary/stonegate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stonegate Church of England Primary School</a> which was rated Good by Ofsted as was <a href="https://ticehurst.e-sussex.sch.uk/esussex/primary/ticehurst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ticehurst and Flimwell Church of England Primary School</a>. Indie wise, in neighbouring Wadhurst, there’s <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/sacred-heart-wadhurst-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sacred Heart</a> prep school offering one-form entry throughout from 2 &#8211; 11 yrs old it’s a Catholic school – although all&nbsp;denominations are welcome. Just 15 mins drive is <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/vinehall-school-robertsbridge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vinehall School</a> a co-ed day and boarding school for children aged 2 – 13 yrs, with excellent facilities, including an outside classroom.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.twggs.kent.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tunbridge Wells Grammar School</a> across the border in Kent is a selective Outstanding school for girls and there is <a href="https://www.uplands-academy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uplands Academy</a> in Wadhurst that&#8217;s rated Good. An all-through school is just a 15 min drive at <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/claremont-school-east-sussex-senior-school-and-sixth-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Claremont School</a>, for boys and girls aged 3 – 18 yrs, with healthy academic aspiration, sporting excellence and a focus on kids as individuals. </p>



<p>Meanwhile <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/mayfield-school-mayfield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayfield</a> is 20 mins drive and is a catholic independent school for girls aged 11 – 18 yrs, with an impressive range of extra curricular activities, including its own private onsite stables.&nbsp;A little further afield is <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/national-school-reviews/bedes-senior-school-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bede’s Prep </a>and <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/national-school-reviews/bedes-senior-school-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senior</a>, a forward-thinking co-ed school (ages 13 &#8211; 19 yrs) which effortlessly balances academics with wellbeing, community service and choice. Oh and it has its own zoo!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret-nbsp">BEST KEPT SECRET&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Forget the Lewes fireworks, East Sussex’s skies light up at the annual fireworks display in Ticehurst on the Recreation Ground. It’s practically the law to stop by one of the local pubs after for a pint and to warm up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>There are railway stations nearby, at&nbsp;Stonegate and Etchingham as well as a bus link to&nbsp;Wadhurst station. Services run to London Bridge, Waterloo East, Charing Cross and Cannon Street. Tunbridge Wells is under a 25 min drive on a clear run with direct links to the capital.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Ticehurst

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