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Udimore in East Sussex

Google map showing area surrounding Udimore
(Angels move the Church)
Location: 50.942169,0.649734
General Details
St Marys church (Udimore East Sussex)This village lying about 4 miles to the west of Rye on the B2089 has no real centre, and runs along a ridge for about 2 miles.

The official meaning of the name Udimore in East Sussex is from the Anglo Saxon meaning boundary of the woods. Local legend is far more interesting! It is said that where the church was to be built was unsuitable, being marshy ground near the river. Each night stones the church was to be constructed from were miraculously moved uphill to the current location. One night the locals stayed up to watch what was going on, and saw a host of angels carrying away the building materials chanting the words 'o'er the mere!' 'o'er the mere!', which soon became changed to Uddimere, and finally to Udimore .

After the Norman conquest, Udimore was given to the De Achyngham family, who became well known landowners owning land through to Etchingham and beyond.

The tiny building of St Marys church lies down a lane beside farm buildings, surrounded by orchards. The nave is Norman, dating from 1170, and the chancel is from the 13th century.

Edward's I and III stayed at Court Lodge, and while the latter was constructing the current Winchelsea , his queen observed a sea-fight with the Spaniards, from the Udimore ridge.

Two Udimore families had members in a notorious smuggling gang based at the Red Lion in Brede . In 1828 menfolk from the Whiteman and Millis families were indicted at Horsham Assizes, and sentenced to transportation.

During the second world war, a Messerschmitt fighter was shot down over Udimore, and Mr Field a local shopkeeper, took the German pilot prisoner, and locked him in his shop until the Army arrived.
Views
Beautiful old house.Udimore in East Sussex runs along the top of the hill, and has fantastic views across the valleys to the south, towards Winchelsea .

Travel further towards Rye and then look south eastwards towards Dungeness and if the weather is clear then the power station can be seen, and even the cliffs in France if crystal clear.
Services
Udimore in East Sussex is a small village with only a few local services.

The main local shopping centre is in Rye with its many shops or Peasmarsh with its supermarket.

The nearest station is at Winchelsea with an hourly service to Ashford and Hastings .
Map
Udimore is shown as the red symbol on the map.

Nearby Villages

(click on symbol to see the village page)
Village= Town= Recorded in Domesday=
Beckley (Alfred the Great and Guns !)
3.08 miles
Brede (Edward I inspects the Channel Fleet)2.33 miles
Broad Oak Brede (On the Crossroads)2.33 miles
Camber (Sands and Holidays)6.39 miles
Cripps Corner (Home Guard surprises the Army)5.49 miles
East Guldeford (Barn-like Church)4.76 miles
Ewhurst Green (Great Fire of London contributions)5.43 miles
Guestling (Changing guards at Buckingham Palace)
2.88 miles
Icklesham (Paul McCartney's Recording Studio)1.97 miles
Iden (Sheriff of Kent and Jack Cade)
4.52 miles
Northiam (Prime Ministers D Day inspection)4.25 miles
Old Winchelsea (Abandoned after the Great Storm)3.56 miles
Peasmarsh (Black Death moves village)2.79 miles
Pett (End of the Royal Military Canal)3.30 miles
Playden (Saltcote and fish)
4.82 miles
Rye (On the Island)
3.87 miles
Rye Harbour (Nature Reserve and unspoilt beaches)
4.93 miles
Sedlescombe (Best gunpowder in Europe)
5.11 miles
Staplecross (Mothers grudge hangs son)5.43 miles
Westfield (Bonfire Boys under suspicion)
4.13 miles
Whatlington (King Harold's Manor)
6.26 miles
Winchelsea (Inland Cinque Port !!)2.88 miles
Winchelsea Beach (Holidaymakers and Henry VIIIs Fort)3.69 miles
Copyright Villagenet 1998-2024
 
Local Interest
Just click an image
World War 2 Vehicle database
Battle Museum of Local History
(Hard to find but worth the Visit)
Ninfield History Group
Sigi
Battle and District Historical Society
The Rudes as lots of people call us, are an outdoor touring theatre company specialising in taking new & original theatre to mainly small rural communities and a few towns across the South of England. We were founded in 1998 & first toured in the Summer of 1999. Currently we tour only in the summer performing 50+ times nightly during June, July & August. https://therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
Wealden Iron Research Group
Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group
Winchelsea Museum
Wadhurst History Society
The Bald Explorer for local documentaries
Hastings Rock the place to listen to