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(Best gunpowder in Europe)
General Details
Sedlescombe is a very pretty village, just off the A21
between Hastings and Hawkhurst . It contains many
picturesque 15th,16th and 17th century half-timbered
houses, surrounding the village green.
The name derives from Saxon times 'settle' meaning residence, and 'combe' meaning valley. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book . The Battle of Hastings was fought 3 miles from Sedlescombe , and the village suffered badly at the hands of the Norman maurauders. After the battle many landowners were forced to pay rents to Battle Abbey. An iron pot was found in Sedlescombe in 1876, it contained some 3,000 coins from the reign of King Edward the Confessor( 1042 - 1066 ). They were thought to have been the treasure of King Harold , hidden during the Battle of Hastings . Some of these coins can be seen in the Hastings Museum. During the 17th century, Sedlescombe was one part of a great industrial area, it was an important location for the Sussex iron industry. Iron has been made in Sedlescombe since Roman times. The road that runs through the village follows the route of the original Roman road. It was built to link various Sussex iron-workings to London. At the rear of the Bridge Garage there used to be a water mill, which ground corn until 1750. It was then used to make gunpowder, Sedlescombe powder was reputedly the best in Europe. It was a risky industry, and in December 1764, four men died following an explosion in the sifting house. The river Brede runs through Sedlescombe , and the bridge crossing it was built in the 18th century, by local builder John Catt. Sedlescombe is the home of the famous Pestalozzi Childrens Village. It was founded in 1959, on the site of 'Oaklands', the former home of Hercules Brabazon, who was a popular village squire and painter, his initials can be seen on some of the buildings in the village. The Pestalozzi Village houses over 100 children from poor areas of Nepal, Thailand, Zambia, Jordan, India and Tibet. They come to England to learn practical and academic skills, and then return to share their acquired knowledge. The village is named after Swiss educationalist Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, who in his lifetime set up several rural orphanages for children of different nationalities. |
 Sedlescombe has limited services.
An infrequent bus service from Hastings to Hawkhurst passes through the village. The trains can be caught in Battle about 4 miles west providing a half hourly service to London. The nearest shopping is in Battle about 4 miles to the west. The nearest large town is Hastings , about 6 miles south. |
 The village green at Sedlescombe is surrounded by
a fine selection of old houses.
Travel out of the village towards the Pestalozzi village, then up the hill towards Westfield . Looking back you get a good view of the village. |
Location
50°56'N
0°32'E
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Page Last Updated: 08:03 - 12/01/2007