Hawkhurst – A Peaceful Town Full of Life

The ancient Wealden village of Hawkhurst is widely known for its beautiful surroundings and long history. Read on to learn about all that this wonderful area has to offer…

Local Area

Hawkhurst is located in the borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent and has all you could ask for from a small village. Historic woodlands, orchards and pasture land surround the landscape, which are all easily accessible by walking some of the many beautiful public footbaths. There are also plenty of activities to get up to, such as the Hawkhurst Fish Farm for a relaxing day by the lakes, or a trip to the historic and highly rated Kino Hawkhurst where you can relax with a drink and watch a film in the Victoria Hall.

The small village also offers access to the essentials in everyday life, with several grocery stores (Tesco, Waitrose, BP), Wield View Medical Practice, a pharmacy, St Laurence Church, plenty of classy English country pubs with gardens and more.

Transport

In addition to having everything you need in day-to-day life in walking distance, Hawkhurst is located conveniently on the A229. This offers connections to nearby towns such as Cranbrook, Sissinghurst and Staplehurst. The nearest train station is Etchingham Railway Station, which provides a route to London in an hour.

Schools

Hawkhurst is home to three schools, one local primary and two independent preparatory schools. Rated “Good” by Ofsted and in the heart of the village, Hawkhurst Church of England Primary School is great option for young learners. Furthermore, rated “Excellent” in their most recent inspections, Marlborough House School and St. Ronan’s School once again demonstrate the high quality of the local schools.

History

The name Hawkhurst originally means a wooded hill where hawks live. The village has a proud past, which is why we are delighted to be contributing to its rich history.

The village was involved in the Wealden iron industry until the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th Century. William Penn, founder of the state of Pennsylvania, owned ironworks at Hawkhurst in the 17th century.

However, the village is arguably most known for being notorious throughout southern England as the home of the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers, active in the early 1700s. The headquarters of the gang was in an old pub in the heart of the village, where the gang were defeated after a pitched battle with the local militia. Fortunately, no such activities occur anymore!

Miller’s Meadow

Clarendon Homes’ newest development, Miller’s Meadow, is located in Sandhurst. Sandhurst is a beautifully quaint village, which is a six minute drive from Hawkhurst off the A229. If you are interested in living in or around Hawkhurst, contact us to find out more.