Local History

In 1316, Heathfield gained its market charter during the reign of Edward 11.  During the 16th and 17th centuries industrial development of the area took place with the growth of the iron industry and many cannon balls fired in war came from Heathfield.  This was followed in the 19th century by development of the town itself as a result of the coming of the railway.

Although the Beeching cuts saw the end of the railway in 1966, the route of the line has been preserved and is now a much-used cycleway, bridleway and walkway forming part of the National Cycle Network.  Running south from Heathfield, the Cuckoo Trail, as it is called, cuts through some of the prettiest countryside in Wealden.  Finishing at Polegate, there are links to the NCN to Eastbourne.  Long term, there are plans to extend the network so that, from the ferry terminal at Dieppe, it will be linked with the “Avenue Verte” through the French countryside to the Normandy village of Forges-les-Eaux, with which Heathfield is twinned.

Heathfield today is an ideal touring base and a busy, bustling market town with a good range of general and specialist shops, schools and other services.  It still retains its links with the farming industry, which has shaped the surrounding countryside over the centuries, as evidenced by the Heathfield Show, held on the Saturday of the late May Bank Holiday, which draws thousands to the town.

Other events which have helped put Heathfield on the map are Le Marché, the Anglo-French market which takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday and the Cuckoo Fair held in April.