Hooe lies on the B2095 which runs from Ninfield to the A259 Bexhill to Eastbourne road. The name Hooe means "Spur of Land" in saxon, and describes the area exactly. Since saxon times, the sea level has dropped, and Hooe is now about 2 miles inland from the sea. The sea used to wash around Hooe, on both sides, up the Ashbourne valley, and also on the Cooden side. The main income from the village was from the Salt works on the Pevensey Levels, and from farming. It is possible, that the Normans landed at Hooe in 1066 as legend has it that Standard Hill at Ninfield was the place where the Standard of William the Conqueror was located, and this would have been unlikely if the Norman's were based at Hastings . The river Ashbourne was a major exporting route of cannons during the 1600's to the 1800's, from the furnace upstream at Ashburnham . Hooe's nearness to the sea, and its remoteness, once made the area perfect for smuggling, and the landlord of the Red Lion Pub, James Blackman, was a member of the Groombridge Gang (1733 - 1749). James was probably also attached to the Hawkhurst Gang , as their sphere of influence included this area. The Hooe Company operated from the village, with their leader again James Blackman they seemed to have operated with the two other major gangs and in their own right. Further south of the village on the marshes lies the site of the abandoned Saxon Village of Northeye (probably North island{North ie}), which is on Hooe levels.

Services

Hooe Common has the majority of the services in the area, with the area around the church being fairly deserted. The nearest shopping centre is in Bexhill about 4 miles south east. The nearest trains are available from Cooden 3 miles to the south east, with busses to Eastbourne or Hastings being caught at the Lamb Inn on the A259.

Views

The view across the Pevensey Levels towards the South Downs from the B2095 is very pretty. If you wish to see the area as deserted as it was 1000 years ago you will need to travel to the Horse Bridge on the Wartling road. Parking near the pumping station walking around the area, you find you are in an area with few houses visible. The only differences from 1066 when William invaded, is the road surface, and the fact that the sea level has dropped about 5 metres, so where you stand would have been a wide river valley.

Businesses Servicing the Area

Service Web Business Name Location Phone Accountant Alison Stevens & Co (Robertsbridge) (01580)-880237 Chair Doctor Holland of Rye (Rye) (01797)-222648 Record Producer Jelly Recording Studios (Whatlington) (01580)-882032

Local Amenities

Amenity Web Name Email Phone We currently have no information on the amenities in Hooe If you know of organisations in the village who would like to be included please click here

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