Hammerwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hammerwood |
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 St Stephen's Church, Hammerwood |
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 Hammerwood
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| Area | 8.5 km2 (3.3 sq mi) |
| Population | 200 |
| • Density | 60/sq mi (23/km2) |
| OS grid reference | TQ438391 |
| • London | 28 miles (45 km) NNW |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | EAST GRINSTEAD |
| Postcode district | RH19 |
| Dialling code | 01342 |
| Police | Sussex |
| Fire | East Sussex |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Hammerwood is a small village, called a hamlet, located in East Sussex, England. It is part of the civil parish of Forest Row. The closest town is East Grinstead, which is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the west. Hammerwood is found in an area called the High Weald. It sits right on the border where East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, and Surrey meet.
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History of Hammerwood
Early Days of Hammerwood
The name "Hammerwood" comes from the old iron industry in the Weald. A "hammer" was used in the furnaces of iron forges. Long ago, during Roman times, there was an iron workshop called a bloomery near the village. This is now a historic site. A blast furnace also existed nearby from at least the 1500s.
Some nearby woods have similar names, like Hammer Wood. For many centuries, Hammerwood was the main part of a large estate called The Bower. People believe it was once part of a medieval deer park.
Hammerwood in the 20th Century
After the First World War, the Hammerwood estate started to decline. Much of the village land was sold off. Around 1930, the owner of Hammerwood Park, Lt. Col. Pollen, helped create a village hall. This hall was for both Hammerwood and Holtye.
There were also clubs for women and men from both villages. These clubs stopped in the 1980s. The Hammerwood County Primary School closed its doors in 1959. In 1977, the church parish of Hammerwood joined with the parish of St Mary Magdalene in Cowden.
During the Second World War, Hammerwood saw some action. On March 2, 1944, a German Heinkel He 177 plane was shot down over the village. It was on a bombing mission to London. Wreckage from the plane was scattered in the nearby woods.
Hammerwood Park was used by the armed forces during the war. About 200 soldiers stayed there. This included the famous cricketer Denis Compton. Canadian soldiers also stayed at the park.
From November 1943, a special airstrip called RAF Hammerwood was used. It was located east of the village. The SOE flew Westland Lysander planes from here for a while. Flying stopped by July 1944. On August 29, 1944, a V-1 flying bomb that had been shot down landed in the village.
After the war, Hammerwood Park was divided into apartments. Later, the famous band Led Zeppelin bought the remaining parts of the estate. The park then became very run down. In 1982, the current owner bought it. They are still working to restore it today.
Hammerwood Today
Today, Hammerwood is located in the High Weald AONB. This means that new buildings are strictly limited. The village's layout, along a lane from the A264, has not changed for over 100 years.
The Hammerwood Cricket Club is more than 150 years old. They still play friendly games on Sundays during the summer. Hammerwood Park has been open to visitors since 1983. Tours happen at least twice a week in summer. Musical events are also held there often.
There is a Scout campsite in Hammerwood. It is owned and run by the Lewisham North District Scouts. St Stephen's Church held its last service on March 20, 2016. The church parish was closed later that year.
In 2016, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave St Stephen's Church a higher historic listing. It is now Grade II* because of its architecture and history. The church's lych gate and walls were also listed as Grade II.
For a small village, Hammerwood has many important historic buildings. The Bower House is a 15th-century farmhouse listed as Grade II*. Its cottages are Grade II. The Old School House, Brooklands, and Great Cansiron Farm are also Grade II. Hammerwood Park is listed as Grade I, which is the highest level.
Geography
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Lingfield Dormansland |
Edenbridge Marsh Green |
Cowden | |
| East Grinstead |  |
Holtye, Blackham | ||
 Hammerwood  |
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| Ashurst Wood | Forest Row | Hartfield |
Transport in Hammerwood
Most of Hammerwood is located along a lane that runs south from the A264. This road connects the village to East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells. Gatwick Airport is about 12 miles (19 km) away. Other smaller airports are also nearby. Hammerwood Park has a special landing spot for helicopters.
The closest train stations are:
Cowden, about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) away. Trains go to London Bridge and Uckfield.- Dormans, about 2.9 miles (4.7 km) away. Trains go to London Victoria and East Grinstead.
There is no local bus service directly in Hammerwood. However, you can find bus stops in nearby villages. The Metrobus 291 service stops in Ashurst Wood. This is about a 45-minute walk south of Hammerwood. It connects to Crawley, East Grinstead, and Tunbridge Wells.
Go Coach runs the 234 service from Holtye, which is about a 45-minute walk east. This bus goes to Cowden, Edenbridge, and Tunbridge Wells. They also have a daily 238 service to Cowden, Edenbridge, Chartwell, and Sevenoaks.
Images for kids
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Hammerwood Park
