| A warning - this page takes a while to download (2mins @ 28K), but it's worth
it. It contains information from the 'Buxted Parish Map - A Guide to the
Footpaths & Places of Interest in our Parish', produced by the Parish
Council and sponsored by many local groups and businesses |
(a more detailed / accurate map of the above can be found at All
Footpaths)
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| Points of Interest Along the Walk |
 1) St. Margaret's Church
The church was built in the mid-thirteenth century almost certainly on the site
of an earlier wooden church, with additions in the 14th and 16th centuries. It
was dedicated in 1251 to St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland. The ancient yew tree
in the church-yard has been shown by carbon dating to be at least 2000 years
old. The village of Buxted was originally grouped around this church, but by the
mid-19th century had moved to its present site. |
 2) Buxted Park Hotel
From mediaeval times a manor house was situated near the river bank, where the
lake is today, until a new house was built on the present site in 1725. The
third Earl of Liverpool had the village removed from the Park and relocated. In
1940 it was gutted by fire, the interior redesigned and the top story removed.
In the 1960's, it was a world-famous Health Hydro. Recently it was owned by a
Sheikh and a Trades Union and is now a hotel. |
 3) Hermit's Rocks
The caves in these rocks (not available for viewing) sheltered people 7000 years
ago. Flints and hearths have been discovered which seem to denote occupation by
hunters living on the animals which proliferated in the ancient forest. Many
centuries later a hermit was reputed to have dwelt here. |
 4) Pill Box
A typical example of the reinforced concrete and brick defensive "pill
boxes", many thousands of which were built along the coast and in a belt
from Hampshire to Kent in 1940. There were several types, from infantry,
anti-tank and command posts, intended to delay the German advance to the main
line of defense along the North Downs. |
 5) The Olives
This pre-Tudor farmhouse was originally Crossways Farm, but in 1750 was bought
by Mr. Olive, head of a noted local family who left their name at other places
in the area too, e.g. Olive's Yard in Uckfield. Earlier in the 20th century it
was the village shop with an extended double front shop window, but on
reverting to a private dwelling in the 1960's this was removed and the front of
the building stripped down to reveal its original Wealden oak structure. |
 6) Upper Totease
Once the home of the Curate, it stood in Buxted Park in close proximity to the
Church. Unfortunately Lord Liverpool allowed the village to fall into disrepair,
forcing the inhabitants to move outside the park limits into present day Buxted.
This, the only stone building, was taken down and reerected - complete with
mounting block - in its present position, stone by stone. |
 7) The Almshouses, Hurstwood Road
In the late 19th century the daughter of the third Earl of Liverpool, Lady
Catherine Vernon-Harcourt, had these cottages built for the elderly poor of
Buxted. |
 8) Spotted Cow Lane
The lane takes its name from the Spotted Cow Inn once sited in one of the three
cottages in the lane and later converted into a single house now known as The
Vatch. Some think the name Spotted Cow was local slang for the Leopard Inn.
|
 9) The Pound
Originally an enclosure for stray farm animals, its huge horse-chestnut tree is
a majestic sight when in flower, and a popular source of "conkers" for
local children in the autumn. |
 10) Village Hall, High Hurstwood
Built in 1999, from public subscription and grants from the Lottery District and
Buxted Parish Councils.
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 11) The Millennium Seat
" Buxted Villagers Donated Me Celebrating 2000 AD" (- see if you can
find the inscription.) The Millennium Seat in the Millennium Wood (where else)
designed and sculpted by an eminent Sussex sculptor called Steve Gelliot was
paid for by generous donations of the local villagers.
The wood and seat have become the
scene for a new village tradition - Carols in the Conifers
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