Penhurst Sussex - (Beautiful yet Remote)

Penhurst lies off all the main roads in one of the most rural areas in East Sussex. It is accessible from the B2096 Heathfield to Battle and the B2204 Battle to Herstmonceux roads, but the roads to the village are barely wide enough for one car, so take great care if you do go to visit.

Penhurst comes from the Saxon pen meaning top and hurst meaning wood, therefore meaning "The Head of the Woods".

Near to Ashburnham and Penhurst at Creep Wood is an old earthworks probably dating from Pre-Saxon times, the site is about 250 metres long.

It is believed that this may be the lost town of Mercredsburn , which was conquered by the saxon Aella in 491AD, just before Pevensey (Andredceaster or Anderida{ Roman }) was sacked. Towards the end of the battle, some of the ancient britons escaped to Pevensey probably by boat along the Ashbourne valley, which prompted Aella's attack.

This is a very old village, and is mentioned in the domesday book.

Penehest was owned by Osborn for the Count of Eu, the area was half a hide, in which there were two villeins, two ploughs, one acre of meadow and wood for two hogs. It was worth at the time 15 shillings.

It is believed that this was one of the local villages badly damaged by the Normans before the Battle of Hastings 1066 .

The village consists only of the 14th century Church, an Elizabethan manor house built by William Relph, a local Ironmaster , a few farm buildings and a duck pond.

From the late 1700's the Ashburnham family took ownership of the manor.

In the manor house are some of the last firebacks cast at the nearby Ashburnham forge which closed in the early 1800's.

The rectory was next to the church, but in 1811 the church was joined with the parish of Ashburnham, and the rectory moved there.

In the churchyard lies the grave of Harry H Corbett, of Steptoe and Son (an early BBC Comedy) fame, who lived in nearby Ashburnham .