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Offham in East Sussex

Google map showing area surrounding Offham
( Chalk Pit and the Battle of Lewes )
Location: 50.891732,-0.010342
General Details
Offham in East Sussex was settled when the original settlement at Hamsey was abandoned during 1348 when the Black Death forced the inhabitants to move away from the church as did a number of other villages in the area. Offham lies on the main Lewes to East Grinstead road.

It is likely that the village was a farming community for many centuries, but that it also produced lime and chalk from the quarry further up the hill.

In 1264 Simon de Montfort passed through the village on the way to the Battle of Lewes , in which his men were the victors. However in 1769 remains of many people were found while the new road was being constructed, and they are believed to have been the troops killed by the Kings cavalry .

During the early 1800's the owner of the chalk pit decided to build a tramway to transport the lime and chalk from the quarry down to the barges on the river Ouse, as the steep slope was dangerous and costly in both horse and carts and men. In 1809 William Jessop opened the tramway which had a large wheel at the top with a brake, the weight of full trucks of lime and chalk travelling down pulled the empty ones back up the 60% sloped track. This method of transport was used until 1870 when the pit was closed.
Views
Offham in East Sussex has some very nice views down into the Ouse valley from the road by the church on the way to Hamsey .

The downs to the south are very attractive.
Services
The nearest main shopping centre is at Lewes a few miles to the south east.

The nearest trains run from Lewes about 3 miles to the south or Cooksbridge , 2 miles to the north west.
Map
Offham is shown as the red symbol on the map.

Nearby Villages

(click on symbol to see the village page)
Village= Town= Recorded in Domesday=
Barcombe (Village in three places)
2.01 miles
Beddingham (At the base of Mount Caburn)
3.77 miles
Glynde (Home of English Opera)4.03 miles
Halland (Ancient Slaughter)6.92 miles
Isfield (Simon de Montfort and the Lavender Line)4.46 miles
Laughton (Knight captures King of France)
6.38 miles
Ringmer (Poor Roads and riots)2.85 miles
Ripe (Earl Harolds estate)
6.90 miles
Selmeston (Tomb to store the Contraband)
7.56 miles
Firle (Home of the Greengage)5.34 miles
Copyright Villagenet 1998-2024
 
Local Interest
Just click an image
Sigi
World War 2 Vehicle database
Wadhurst History Society
Battle Museum of Local History
(Hard to find but worth the Visit)
Talk in Code fabulous new Album
Rye Museum
Battle and District Historical Society
Winchelsea Museum
Roman, Saxon and Norman History of the South East
Wealden Iron Research Group
For all things mosaic, commissions workshops etc please contact Hannah
Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group