Sussex


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



<p>It’s hardly surprising that Ticehurst is steeped in history – it dates back to the 14th century and has the coaching inns, cottages and townhouses to prove it. And it’s not just a pretty face, it has a community vibe, indie shops and pub culture – think wellies and Fido at the bar, while families enjoy Sunday lunch at the tables opposite. The village is located just below Tunbridge Wells meaning locals can enjoy nearby Bewl Water, the largest stretch of open water in the South East, where you can partake 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>The gastropub rules supreme in Ticehurst, and your first stop has to be 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>, which 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> (it&#8217;s closed temporarily but plans to reopen later in 2025), a local family-run pub complete with a kids&#8217; 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="https://www.facebook.com/ticehurst1416/?locale=en_GB" 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. 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>, which offers 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>The jewel in the high street’s crown is <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/spotlight/retail-therapy-5-statement-finds-from-eclectic-emporium-greenfinch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenfinch</a>, a fabulously quirky and eclectic art gallery and gift shop selling work from artists throughout Sussex and Kent – it’s a 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>, which sells 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;Need blooms? Of course you do. Stop by <a href="https://www.theartbunch.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Art Bunch</a>, which offers 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>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-full is-resized"><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" style="aspect-ratio:1.5;width:639px;height:auto" 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></div>


<p class="has-text-align-left">For relaxing treatments, <a href="https://www.wildiris-spa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild Iris spa</a> at <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/flimwell-park-flimwell/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Filmwell Park</a> 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 in this unique space is <a href="https://www.wealdenosteopaths.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wealden Osteopaths</a>. Just be sure to walk though the birchwood forest after. <a href="https://www.wealdenpilates.co.uk/book-online" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wealden Pilates</a> has a studio in Ticehurst. You&#8217;ll find a range of beauty clinics in neighbouring Wadhurst (a 10-min drive away), including the farm-based <a href="https://oakhurstbeauty.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakhurst Beauty</a> on the Kent border. Ticehurst has its 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 in April, with a programme of talks and workshops for adults and children.&nbsp;For a small village, Ticehurst packs a punch socially with clubs and societies for cricket, gardening, history and others. The <a href="https://www.ticehurstvillagehall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Village Hall </a> is a hub of local activities from kids&#8217; dance classes to yoga, art groups, table tennis and more. The recreation ground is a great spot for families to play football, cricket and tennis. </p>



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



<p>How’s this for a claim to fame? The country’s first ever pick-your-own was <a href="https://www.maynardsfruit.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maynard’s Fruit Farm</a> in Wadhurst, and it&#8217;s still going strong. There are watersports including rowing, sailing and canoeing at <a href="https://www.bewlwater.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bewl Water</a>, and it is has cycle and walking routes galore. <a href="https://www.dalehill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dale Hill Golf Club</a> is less than a mile from the village, and <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest</a> nearby has play trails, more cycling and walking routes, and a Go Ape!</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>Like historic houses? Ticehurst has several on its doorstep, including the Grade-I listed timber-framed manor house built in 1550 at <a href="https://www.pashleymanorgardens.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pashley Manor Gardens</a>, which hosts a tulip festival every spring.&nbsp;Just across the border in Kent is the National Trust’s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scotney Castle</a>, where you get two bites of the historical cherry. First up is the Elizabethan-style home built in 1837, and at the bottom of the valley are the ruins of a Medieval castle.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The average for all properties is £527,707, although the majority of sales were terraced houses, which went 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-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-382.jpg" alt="Property for sale in Ticehurst, Sussex" class="wp-image-82066" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-382.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-382-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-382-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Untitled-design-382-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Room to roam and a pool and gym to boot in this 6-bed family home in Ticehurst. <a href="https://www.maddisonsresidential.co.uk/property-for-sale/house-for-sale-in-ticehurst-wadhurst/985" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On</a><a href="https://www.lambertandfoster.co.uk/property/121172-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the market for £2m.</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> 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 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> and <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>, both rated good by Ofsted. For indies, in neighbouring Wadhurst there’s <a href="https://sacredheartwadhurst.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sacred Heart</a> prep school – it’s a Catholic school although all&nbsp;denominations are welcome. <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/vinehall-school-robertsbridge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marlborough House Vinehall School</a>, a co-ed day and boarding school for children aged 2–13 yrs, with excellent facilities, including an outside classroom, is 15-min drive away.</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 Ofsted outstanding school for girls and <a href="https://www.uplands-academy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uplands Academy</a> in Wadhurst is rated good. For independent secondaries, <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>, an all-through co-ed school for ages 3–18, is just 15 mins&#8217; drive away, and <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/mayfield-school-mayfield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayfield</a>, a Catholic independent school for girls aged 11–18 yrs, is 20 mins, and offers an impressive range of extracurricular activities, including an onsite stables.&nbsp;A little further afield are <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/review-bedes-prep-school-eastbourne-sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bede’s Prep</a><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/national-school-reviews/bedes-senior-school-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a>and <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/national-school-reviews/bedes-senior-school-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bede&#8217;s Senior</a>, forward-thinking co-ed schools (ages 13–19 yrs), one of which has its own zoo!</p>



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



<p>Forget Lewes Bonfire Night – 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 and take about 1hr 15mins. Tunbridge Wells is less than a 25-min drive on a clear run and has direct links to the capital.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">.</a></p>


Ticehurst

See more in Sussex