West Hoathly, West Sussex

The Priest's House, West Hoathly

A small village north of Haywards Heath, West Hoathly grew up around a crossroads of two ancient routes across the Weald. The parish church of St Margaret dates to the 11th century, and contains some medieval memorial slabs to the Infield family of nearby Gravetye Manor, a lovely, late Elizabethan house.

The manor is believed to be a part of the divorce settlement given by Henry VIII to Anne of Cleeves. It was later owned by influential gardener William Robinson. The house is now a hotel.

But back to the church! In the churchyard is a memorial to Anne Tree, one of the three 'East Grinstead Martyrs'. The martyrs were burned to death in 1556 because they refused to recant their Protestant faith despite the laws of Queen Mary I.

On a more pleasant note, West Hoathly is home to the Priest's House, a 15th-century Wealden hall house on North Lane. The timber-framed house was built for the monks of Lewes Priory, who owned the manor. It is now a fascinating museum of local life.

The village pub is the Cat Inn, at the junction of North Lane and Church Hill.