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{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name=Hurstpierpoint
| official_name = Hurstpierpoint
| country=England
| country = England
| civil_parish=[[Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common]]
| civil_parish = [[Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common]]
| region=South East England
| region = South East England
| static_image_name=Hurstpierpoint High Street.jpg
| static_image_name = Hurstpierpoint High Street.jpg
| static_image_caption=Hurstpierpoint High Street
| static_image_caption = Hurstpierpoint High Street
|label_position= top
| label_position = top
| os_grid_reference=TQ279165
| os_grid_reference = TQ279165
| coordinates = {{coord|50.933288|-0.185339|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|50.933288|-0.185339|display=inline,title}}
| post_town=HASSOCKS
| post_town = HASSOCKS
| postcode_area=BN
| postcode_area = BN
| postcode_district=BN6
| postcode_district = BN6
| dial_code=01273
| dial_code = 01273
| constituency_westminster=[[Arundel and South Downs]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Arundel and South Downs]]
| london_distance={{convert|39|mi}} [[Boxing the compass|N]]
| london_distance = {{convert|39|mi}} [[Boxing the compass|N]]
| shire_district=[[Mid Sussex]]
| shire_district = [[Mid Sussex District|Mid Sussex]]
| shire_county=[[West Sussex]]
| shire_county = [[West Sussex]]
}}
}}


'''Hurstpierpoint''' is a village in [[West Sussex]], England, {{convert|4|mi|km|1}} southwest of [[Burgess Hill]], and {{convert|1.5|mi|km|1}} west of [[Hassocks railway station]]. Together with [[Sayers Common]], it forms a [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] with an area of 2029.88&nbsp;ha and a population of 7,112.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadAreaSearch.do?a=7&c=Hurstpierpoint&i=1001&m=0&enc=1&areaSearchText=Hurstpierpoint&areaSearchType=16&extendedList=true&searchAreas=Search|title=Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common CP (Parish) |author= United Kingdom Census 2011 |publisher=neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk |access-date=24 November 2016}}</ref>
'''Hurstpierpoint''' is a village in the [[Mid Sussex District|Mid Sussex]] district, in the county of [[West Sussex]], England, {{convert|4|mi|km|1}} southwest of [[Burgess Hill]], and {{convert|1.5|mi|km|1}} west of [[Hassocks railway station]]. It sits in the [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] of [[Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common]] which has an area of 2029.88&nbsp;ha and a population of 7,112.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadAreaSearch.do?a=7&c=Hurstpierpoint&i=1001&m=0&enc=1&areaSearchText=Hurstpierpoint&areaSearchType=16&extendedList=true&searchAreas=Search|title=Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common CP (Parish) |author= United Kingdom Census 2011 |publisher=neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk |access-date=24 November 2016}}</ref>


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The village was once chiefly one long street running east and west and most of the buildings in it are of the 18th century or later. The late 20th Century and early 21st Century saw Hurstpierpoint expanding greatly with new homes built north, east and west of the village.
==History==


Hurstpierpoint hosts the Hurst Festival which takes place every summer and has an active Scouts and Guides Groups.
===Toponymy===
The name derives from 'Hurst', the Saxon name for a wooded hill, and 'Pierpoint' after the de Pierpoint family who were early owners of the property. The settlement was mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/sussex2.html#hurstpierpoint|title=The Domesday Book Online - Sussex F-P}}</ref> Throughout the centuries there have been several variants on the Hurstpierpoint name e.g. Herst (11th century); Herstperpunt (14th century); Perpondesherst (15th century).


The village is chiefly one long street running east and west and most of the buildings in it are of the 18th century or later.


Also, Established in 1962, the Hurstpierpoint Society is a widely backed village organization boasting over 1,300 members, dedicated to enhancing and safeguarding our village surroundings. We are especially focused on planning matters that could negatively impact the charm and heritage of our historic village or the natural environment of the nearby countryside. [https://hurstpierpointsociety.org.uk/ More]
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=== Manors ===
The manor of Hurstpierpoint was held before the [[Norman Conquest]] by [[Godwin, Earl of Wessex|Earl Godwin]], when it was an estate assessed at 41 hides, of which 3½ hides in the Rape of [[Pevensey]] and 19 hides in the Rape of [[Bramber]] were detached. After the Conquest, the remaining 18½ hides were held in 1086 by Robert de Pierpoint of [[William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey|William de Warenne]]. There was a church and 3 mills. The overlordship descended with the rape until the division after the death of Beatrice, Countess of [[Arundel]], in 1439, when the 10 fees late of Robert de Pierpoint passed to the [[Duke of Norfolk]]. Subsequently, the overlordship of Hurstpierpoint came into the hands of the [[Baron Bergavenny|Lords Bergavenny]], and the manor was said in 1602 to have been held of their manor of [[Ditchling]].


⚫
==Geography==
=== Modern history ===
⚫
The village is built on a [[sandstone]] ridge,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/media/2326/lca07pt3ca03hurstpierpointscarpfootslopes.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821032907/http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/media/2326/lca07pt3ca03hurstpierpointscarpfootslopes.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{convert|145|ft}} above sea level, running east and west across the parish, on the road from [[Lewes]] to [[Albourne]]. This is crossed in the centre of the village by Cuckfield Road which goes north to [[Cuckfield]]. Hurstpierpoint is located close to the [[A23 road|A23]].
⚫
The late 20th Century and early 21st Century saw Hurstpierpoint expanding with new homes built north, east and west of the village.


==Charities==
== History ==
[[File:Holy_Trinity,_Hurstpierpoint,_Sussex_-_Effigy_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1504139.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left|[[Tomb effigy]] in Holy Trinity Church]]The Hurstpierpoint manor held all the land in a giant parish. Before the [[Norman Conquest]] it was owned by [[Godwin, Earl of Wessex|Earl Godwin]]. The settlement was mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/sussex2.html#hurstpierpoint|title=The Domesday Book Online - Sussex F-P}}</ref> After the Conquest, it was held by the de Pierpoints for many centuries.


There were twin Parks at Hurstpierpoint through the later Middle Ages, Little Park north of the Greensand ridge and Danny, or Great Park ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 285 152}}) to its south. Danny Park was made by enclosing existing woodland in the early 13th century. It remained a special place right up until the 1970s, particularly for its many ancient [[elm]]s, which formed an avenue northwards from the house.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Bangs|first=David|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1247849975|title=Land of the Brighton line : a field guide to the Middle Sussex and South East Surrey Weald|date=2018|isbn=978-0-9548638-2-1|location=[Brighton]|oclc=1247849975}}</ref>
In Hurstpierpoint, there are active Scouts and Guides Groups. Both have their own HQ facilities in the village. [http://1st%20Hurstpierpoint%20Scouts 1st Hurstpierpoint Scouts] offer opportunities across different sections, Beavers (ages 6–8), Cubs (ages 8–10.5), Scouts (ages 10.5-14) and Explorer Scouts (ages 14–18). [https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/find-my-nearest/local-club-or-society/details/api/type/localsociety/view/hurstpierpoint-guide-association Hurstpierpoint Guide Association] offer opportunities within their Rainbows (ages 5–7), Brownies (ages 7–10) and Guides (ages 10–14) groups.


The name "Hurstpierpoint" derives from two sources. The first source is 'Hurst', the Saxon name for a wooded hill. The hill woodland is likely to have been on the shadier, northern side of the greensand ridge, for the sunny south side is partially on the [[Lower Greensand Group|Lower Greensand]] which is an area that early farmers would have settled for the fertile ground, for example at Wanbarrow, Washbrooks, Tott Farm and Bedlam Street. The second source is de Pierpoint family who were early owners of the property. Throughout the centuries there have been several variants on the Hurstpierpoint name e.g. Herst (11th century); Herstperpunt (14th century); Perpondesherst (15th century).
Hurst Festival takes place every summer, run by a charitable organisation.


In 1971 the civil parish had a population of 5355.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10299950/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Hurstpierpoint AP/CP through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=28 March 2024}}</ref> On 1 April 2000 the parish was abolished to form "Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common", part also went to [[Albourne]] and Burgess Hill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/haywards%20heath.html|title=Haywards Heath Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=28 March 2024}}</ref>
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==Geography==
⚫
The village is built on a [[sandstone]] ridge,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/media/2326/lca07pt3ca03hurstpierpointscarpfootslopes.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821032907/http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/media/2326/lca07pt3ca03hurstpierpointscarpfootslopes.pdf |archive-date=21 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{convert|145|ft}} above sea level, running east and west across the parish, on the road from [[Lewes]] to [[Albourne]]. This is crossed in the centre of the village by Cuckfield Road which goes north to [[Cuckfield]]. Hurstpierpoint is located close to the [[A23 road|A23]].


== Notable buildings and areas ==
== Landmarks ==
[[File:Danny House.JPG|thumb|[[Danny House]]]]
[[File:Danny House.JPG|thumb|[[Danny House]]]]
The greensand ridge from Hurstpierpoint to Ditchling, is tracked by both the modern B2116 road, and the Roman [[Sussex Greensand Way|Greensand Way]] whose camber is still visible at Randolphs Farm ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 278 158}}) and at Danny's Sandy Field ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 288 156}}).<ref name=":0" />
To the south of Hurstpierpoint is [[Danny House]] an [[Elizabethan]] mansion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dannyhouse.co.uk/|title=Danny House|work=dannyhouse.co.uk}}</ref> at the foot of [[Wolstonbury Hill]] which forms part of the [[South Downs]].

Despite being sandwiched between [[Hassocks]] and the ever growing [[Burgess Hill]] to the east and the London to Brighton A23 road to the west, Hurstpierpoint is in an attractive setting. To the south are the [[South Downs]] and the impressive [[Wolstonbury Hill]]. Between the village and the Hill is [[Danny House|Danny Park]] and the Danny Woods. To the north of Hurstpierpoint is a waterland geography which is centred around the Herrings Stream.

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There are five churches in the village which are St George's (not in use), Hurstpierpoint Methodist Church, Hurstpierpoint Good News Church and St Luke's Roman Catholic Church, which was closed in December 2019 and the Holy Trinity parish church.


=== Holy Trinity ===
=== Holy Trinity ===
[[File:Holy_Trinity,_Hurstpierpoint,_Sussex_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1504117.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.3|Holy Trinity Church]]
The parish church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurstpierpointholytrinity.org.uk/|title=Hurstpierpoint Holy Trinity Church of England - Homepage|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430185451/http://hurstpierpointholytrinity.org.uk/|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> consists of a chancel with arcades of two bays, north chapel, south chapel (now organ chamber and vestry), nave, north and south transepts, north arcade and aisle of four bays, south arcade and aisle of five bays, and a north-west tower with an octagonal spire of stone. The base of the tower serves as a porch and there is a small porch to the north chapel. The nave has a [[clerestory]].
The parish church was a Norman church, but was largely rebuilt from the designs of [[Charles Barry|Sir Charles Barry]] in 1843–5, who was famous for designing the [[Houses of Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurstpierpointholytrinity.org.uk/|title=Hurstpierpoint Holy Trinity Church of England - Homepage|access-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430185451/http://hurstpierpointholytrinity.org.uk/|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1854, the north chapel was added, in 1874 the south chapel and the north transept has been fitted up as a chapel in memory of those who died in the War of 1914–18.<ref name=":1">[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/sussex/vol7/pp172-178 'Parishes: Hurstpierpoint'], in ''A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 7, the Rape of Lewes'', ed. L F Salzman (London, 1940), pp. 172-178. ''British History Online'' [accessed 20 November 2021].</ref> A number of funeral monuments and fittings were preserved from the old church. The font is probably from the 13th century, but the heavy round bowl has been reworked and painted. In the east window of the south chapel are set fifteen medallions of German or Flemish glass of the 16th and 17th centuries. In the south chapel is a much weathered recumbent effigy from 1260 of a cross-legged knight in chain armour, and at the west end of the north aisle is a much mutilated effigy of a knight from 1340. In the churchyard by the west wall are five tapering coffin lids from the 12th or 13th century, with hollow chamfered edges. One shows faint traces of a raised cross. The pavement outside the west doorway has about 150 inlaid slip tiles from the late 13th or early 14th century, which are suffering from wear.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Hurstpierpoint Church.jpg|thumb|left|Church at the main crossroads in Hurstpierpoint.]]
The church was completely rebuilt from the designs of [[Sir Charles Barry]] in 1843–5, who most famously designed the [[Houses of Parliament]].


===Danny House===
In 1854, the north chapel was added, and in 1874 the south chapel; the last has a dated foundation-stone in the east wall. The north transept has been fitted up as a chapel in memory of those who died in the War of 1914–18. The church which it replaced consisted of a chancel with a south chapel (the Danny chapel – see [[Danny House]]) of approximately equal dimensions, a nave with south aisle and north porch, and a west tower with a shingled spire. It had been almost rebuilt by a rector, [[John Urry (rector)|John Urry]], about 1420, but the tracery of the windows and most other ancient features had vanished under 'churchwarden improvements' before 1835.
{{Main|Danny House}}
[[File:The_Danny_Old_One.jpg|thumb|391x391px|The Danny Old One, at around 800 years, is the oldest tree in Danny Park]]
Danny House ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 284 148}}) is an extravagant [[Elizabethan]] building. It is built of warm brick with a sunny Queen Anne south face and an E-faced eastern front with mullioned stone windows rising to the full height of the building and flooding the Great Hall behind in morning light.<ref name=":0" />


[[Elm]]s once lined the drive to the House, but are now gone as a result of [[Dutch elm disease]].
A number of funeral monuments and fittings were preserved from the old church. The font is probably of c. 1200, but the heavy round bowl has been reworked and painted; the stem is plain; the base has a late 12th or early 13th century mould. Nearby, a broken mortar, brought from a local farmyard, has been set on a stem and base as if to represent a font. The enclosure around the font has turned balusters and moulded handrail of the 18th century and may have been the former communion rails.


Danny Lake and Pondtail Wood ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 288 153}}) that embraces it have been restored in recent times. The wood has [[Hyacinthoides|bluebells]], [[Wood anemone|anemones]] and primroses.
In the east window of the south chapel are set fifteen medallions of German or Flemish glass of the 16th and 17th centuries; five are circular, the others oval; they mostly depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments and include a Nativity, and the placing of our Lord in the sepulchre. There are also four similar oval cartouches in the west window of the tower-porch, all collected and placed here by Canon Borrer in 1845.


===Herrings Stream===
[[File:Baptistry window, Hurstpierpoint.JPG|thumb|West window of the baptistry of Holy Trinity Church]]
[[File:Herrings_Stream_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1109405.jpg|left|thumb|Herrings Stream]]
In the south chapel is a much weathered recumbent effigy, {{convert|6|ft|8|in|m}} long, of a cross-legged knight in chain armour, of c. 1260; he bears his heater-shaped shield on his left arm and his right hand grasps the hilt of his sword. The feet rest against a lion.
The Herrings Stream is a tributary of the eastern [[River Adur]] and runs to the north of Hurstpierpoint. Walking from Cobb's Mill ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 274 189}}) east to Eylesford Bridge (on the A273) reveals wetlands that passes many bridges and lost fordings including Cobbsmill Bridge, Gold Bridge (as in [[Marsh Marigold|marsh marigold]], [[kingcup]]s), Stalker Bridge, Danworthbrook Bridge, Ruckford and Eylesford Bridge. A kilometre from Cobb's Mill to Stalker Bridge (where the Cuckfield Road crosses) you can walk alongside the running [[mill leat]], with its [[sticklebacks]], [[Emperor (dragonfly)|emperor dragonflies]], [[grey wagtail]]s, [[banded demoiselle]]s and [[house martins]]. Upstream of Ruckford and Hammond's Mills the leats no longer function, but can still be made out.<ref name=":0" />


East of Ruckford Mill there is a wooded lily pond ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 296 179}}) with clear water and much [[hornwort]] and [[curled pondweed]]. Between Ruckford Mill and Locks Manor are two well managed archaic flower meadows, e.g. ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 293 180}}). Between Danworth and Kent's Farms the river meanders, and in some places little brook meadows survive. At other points they have been incorporated into larger fields.<ref name=":0" />
At the west end of the north aisle is a much mutilated effigy of a knight of c. 1340 wearing a bascinet, mail gorget, close-fitting gypon with scalloped lower edge, a [[baldric]]k, and plate armour with knee-caps to the legs. The head rests on his helm, which has a lion crest; the feet also rest against a recumbent lion. The figure now rests on an altar-tomb against the north wall; the exposed south side has four quatrefoil panels each enclosing a plain shield, and the east end a single panel. The tomb is enclosed by an iron railing, {{convert|4|ft|10|in|m}} high, which has three diagonal standards treated with buttresses and with moulded and embattled caps and spikes for candles; these are of early 16th century date.


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=== Local woods ===
In the churchyard by the west wall are five tapering coffin lids of the 12th or 13th century with hollow chamfered edges. One shows faint traces of a raised cross.
[[File:Randolph's_Copse.jpg|thumb|Randolph's Copse]]
On the northeastern edge of Hurstpierpoint there are still two ancient woods. Tilley's Copse ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 283 173}}) is a [[Hyacinthoides|bluebell]] wood, with [[Crab Apple|crab apple]], [[Wych-elm|wych elm]], [[gean]], midland thorn and [[hornbeam]]. The Wilderness, just to the south ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 279 169}}), is a damper place.<ref name=":0" />


On the Gault Clay, south of Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks, are a cluster of ancient woods centred on the Elizabethan mansion of Danny, which have mostly escaped coniferisation and heavy recreational damage. They are damp places, with lovely spring wildflower displays.<ref name=":0" />
Relaid in the pavement outside the west doorway are about 150 inlaid slip tiles, {{convert|6|in|cm}} square, of two patterns: one has a fish in a vesica piscis, four of the tiles forming a complete circular design; the other has a whorl of foliage forming part, probably, of a border pattern: late 13th or early 14th century. They are suffering from wear in their present position.


Stalkers ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 272 149}}), Randolph's Copse ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 274 145}}) and Foxhole Shaw ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 279 145}}) are rich and interesting at all times of year. Twenty ancient woodland flowers have been counted in Randolph's Copse, including [[Lesser Butterfly-orchid|lesser butterfly]] and [[Early purple orchid|early purple]] orchids, [[Allium ursinum|ransoms]] and [[Guelder-rose|guelder rose]]. There is also [[Ragged-Robin|ragged robin]] and [[Betonica officinalis|betony]]. [[Limenitis camilla|White admiral]] and [[silver-washed fritillary]] butterflies have been recorded here. There can be [[Hygrocybe pratensis|orange waxcaps]] on the narrowing rides of Foxhole Shaw.<ref name=":0" />
There are eight bells, of which two date from 1775, three from 1846, one from 1868, one from 1901 and one from 1953. The heaviest bell weighs 12cwt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jrnorris.co.uk/PDF/ChurchNotes.PDF |title=Notes on the Church: Holy Trinity Hurstpierpoint |last=Norris |first=John |year=2013 |page=18 |access-date=23 April 2016 }}</ref> The church registers date from 1558.


Old Wood ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ282 147}}), next to Danny, has been damaged by the whims of past big house owners, with heavy planting of non-local species, including lots of [[Horse Chestnut|horse chestnut]] and both [[Large-leaved Lime|large leaved]] and [[common lime]]. The Gill ({{gbmappingsmall|TQ 289 150}}) is a coppiced [[Ash tree|ash]] wood east of New Way Lane.<ref name=":0" />
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There are four other churches in the village which are St George's (not in use), Hurstpierpoint Methodist Church, Hurstpierpoint Good News Church and St Luke's Roman Catholic Church, which was closed in December 2019, with Roman Catholic congregants now expected to attend services at St Edward's, Keymer or St Wilfred's, Burgess Hill


==Education==
== Education ==
St Lawrence Church of England Primary School is located close the centre of the village which is for children 4 – 11 years of age. Also located in the village is the [[Public school (United Kingdom)|public school]], [[Hurstpierpoint College]], to be found to the north-east of the village, and the pre-school, next to the Primary School, for children 2 – 5 years of age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hppc.co.uk/|title=Home - Hurstpierpoint College}}</ref>
St Lawrence Church of England Primary School is located close to the centre of the village and is for children 4 to 11 years of age. Also located in the village is the [[Public school (United Kingdom)|public school]], [[Hurstpierpoint College]], to be found to the north-east of the village, and the pre-school, next to the Primary School, for children 2 to 5 years of age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hppc.co.uk/|title=Home - Hurstpierpoint College}}</ref>


== St Lawrence Fair ==
== St Lawrence Fair ==
Every July the [[St Lawrence]] Fair takes place in Hurstpierpoint.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Lawrence Fair History |url=http://www.stlawrencefair.org.uk/home/fair-history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303173811/http://www.stlawrencefair.org.uk/home/fair-history/ |archive-date=3 March 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The fair was granted a royal charter in 1313 and is still an important event in the life of the village. The fair takes place on the first Saturday in July and begins with a procession of floats through the high street. These are made by groups such as playschools, primary schools, scouts and brownies and have a different theme each year. Other popular events of the day are the family fun run and the tug-o-war where the local pubs battle it out for a barrel of beer. In 2007 and 2008 it was won by the White Horse of Albourne Road. The fair is home to Harris fun fair and usually has a chair-o-plane amongst its rides as well as different stalls such as a coconut shy. Charities and businesses from around the area place stalls, tombolas and raffles around the centre, and on the other side is the beer tent and pig roast.
Every July the [[St Lawrence]] Fair takes place in Hurstpierpoint.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Lawrence Fair History |url=http://www.stlawrencefair.org.uk/home/fair-history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303173811/http://www.stlawrencefair.org.uk/home/fair-history/ |archive-date=3 March 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The fair was granted a royal charter in 1313 and is still an important event in the life of the village. The fair takes place on the first Saturday in July and begins with a procession of floats through the high street. These are made by groups such as playschools, primary schools, scouts and brownies and have a different theme each year. Other popular events of the day are the family fun run and the tug-o-war where the local pubs battle it out for a barrel of beer. In 2007 and 2008 it was won by the White Horse of Albourne Road. The fair is home to Harris fun fair and usually has a chair-o-plane amongst its rides as well as different stalls such as a coconut shy. Charities and businesses from around the area place stalls, tombolas and raffles around the centre, and on the other side is the beer tent and pig roast.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


== Sport ==
== Sport ==
Hurstpierpoint is the home of [[Hurstpierpoint Football Club|Hurstpierpoint F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=Hurstpierpoint FC Website|url=http://www.hurstpierpointfc.co.uk}}</ref> who currently play in the Mid Sussex Football League. The club was formed in 1886, originally playing in the grounds of Danny House.
Hurstpierpoint is the home of [[Hurstpierpoint Football Club|Hurstpierpoint F.C.]],<ref>{{cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=Hurstpierpoint FC Website|url=http://www.hurstpierpointfc.co.uk}}</ref> who currently play in the Mid Sussex Football League. The club was formed in 1886, originally playing in the grounds of Danny House.


Hurstpierpoint is also home to a cricket club with the same name, which has several youth sides and two men's sides.
Hurstpierpoint is also home to a cricket club with the same name, which has several youth sides and two men's sides.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
[[James Hannington]] (1847 – 1885), Anglican missionary and martyr, was born here and served as curate-in-charge at St George's, Hurstpierpoint. He was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa.
[[James Hannington]] (1847–1885), Anglican missionary and martyr, was born here and served as curate-in-charge at St George's, Hurstpierpoint. He was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa.


A notable local resident was [[Jimmy Hill]],<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/and-into-extra-time-profile-jimmy-hill-1175103.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=...and into extra time Profile: Jimmy Hill | first=Jasper | last=Rees | date=30 August 1998 | access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref> former ''Match of the Day'' presenter and football player, manager and chairman, who was generous of his time for local events, clubs and societies until his death on 19 December 2015 aged 87. [[Greta Scacchi]] also lived in the village<ref>[https://archive.is/20120707160944/http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2000/12/26/184694.html The Argus, news, sport, events, jobs, homes for Brighton, Hove and Sussex<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> until 2011 when a dispute with a neighbour led her to leave.<ref>{{cite news | first = Emily | last = Walker | title = Greta Scacchi's "driven out" of Sussex dream home | date = 5 February 2011 | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8833906.Greta_Scacchi_s__driven_out__of_Sussex_dream_home/ | work = The Argus | access-date = 14 May 2011}}</ref> The agricultural chemist [[John Saint (agricultural chemist)|Sir John Saint]] (1898–1987) lived at Selwyn in St George's Lane.<ref>'SAINT, Sir (Sidney) John', in ''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who Was Who 1981–1990]]'' (London: A. & C. Black, 1991, {{ISBN|0-7136-3336-0}})</ref> The Olympic runner [[Frank Salvat]] also lived there until his death in 2013, and [[Brighton & Hove Albion]] winger [[Kazenga LuaLua]] lived in the village.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1013508/kazenga-lualua-sparked-mass-newcastle-fight|title=Kazenga LuaLua 'Sparked Mass Newcastle Fight'}}</ref> The village was home to the geologist and authority on [[mollusca]] [[Robert Ashington Bullen]] (1850-1912) for a period. [[William Walcot]] RE (1874-1943), architect. graphic artist and etcher, notable as a practitioner of refined Art Nouveau in Moscow, committed suicide at Hurstpierpoint. Also Lewis Dunk, Brighton and Hove Albion captain, lives in the village.
A notable local resident was [[Jimmy Hill]],<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/and-into-extra-time-profile-jimmy-hill-1175103.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=...and into extra time Profile: Jimmy Hill | first=Jasper | last=Rees | date=30 August 1998 | access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref> former ''Match of the Day'' presenter and football player, manager and chairman, who was generous of his time for local events, clubs and societies until his death on 19 December 2015 aged 87. [[Greta Scacchi]] also lived in the village<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707160944/http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2000/12/26/184694.html The Argus, news, sport, events, jobs, homes for Brighton, Hove and Sussex<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> until 2011 when a dispute with a neighbour led her to leave.<ref>{{cite news | first = Emily | last = Walker | title = Greta Scacchi's "driven out" of Sussex dream home | date = 5 February 2011 | url = http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8833906.Greta_Scacchi_s__driven_out__of_Sussex_dream_home/ | work = The Argus | access-date = 14 May 2011}}</ref> The agricultural chemist [[John Saint (agricultural chemist)|Sir John Saint]] (1898–1987) lived at Selwyn in St George's Lane.<ref>'SAINT, Sir (Sidney) John', in ''[[Who's Who (UK)|Who Was Who 1981–1990]]'' (London: A. & C. Black, 1991, {{ISBN|0-7136-3336-0}})</ref> The Olympic runner [[Frank Salvat]] also lived there until his death in 2013, and [[Brighton & Hove Albion]] winger [[Kazenga LuaLua]] lived in the village.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1013508/kazenga-lualua-sparked-mass-newcastle-fight|title=Kazenga LuaLua 'Sparked Mass Newcastle Fight'}}</ref> Likewise, Brighton & Hove Albion centre back and captain [[Lewis Dunk]] has lived in Hurstpierpoint since 2016. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/09/21/dunks-home-on-the-market-for-3-5m/|title=Dunk's home on the market for £3.5m|date=21 September 2022 }}</ref> The village was home to the geologist and authority on [[mollusca]] [[Robert Ashington Bullen]] (1850–1912) for a period. [[William Walcot]] RE (1874–1943), architect, graphic artist and etcher, notable as a practitioner of refined Art Nouveau in Moscow, committed suicide at Hurstpierpoint.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Stand-up comedian and presenter [[Glenn Moore (comedian)|Glenn Moore]] grew up in the village.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/glenn-moore/bertie-bott-every-flavoured-beans_b_11192950.html | title=If You Won't Speak Out About This, Then I Will | work=HuffPost | date=2 August 2016 }}</ref> Journalist [[Emily Morgan (journalist)|Emily Morgan]] lived in the village.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Ellie |date=2023-05-28 |title=Brighton TV news journalist dies after short battle with lung cancer |url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2023/05/28/brighton-tv-news-journalist-dies-after-short-battle-with-lung-cancer/ |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Brighton and Hove News |language=en-US}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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{{authority control}}


⚫
[[Category:Villages in West Sussex]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in West Sussex]]
[[Category:Charter fairs| Charter fair]]
[[Category:Charter fairs| Charter fair]]
[[Category:Mid Sussex District]]
[[Category:Mid Sussex District]]
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[[Category:Villages in West Sussex]]

Latest revision as of 20:04, 28 March 2024

Hurstpierpoint
Hurstpierpoint High Street
Hurstpierpoint is located in West Sussex
Hurstpierpoint
Hurstpierpoint
Location within West Sussex
OS grid referenceTQ279165
• London39 miles (63 km) N
Civil parish
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townHASSOCKS
Postcode districtBN6
Dialling code01273
PoliceSussex
FireWest Sussex
AmbulanceSouth East Coast
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
West Sussex
50°56′00″N 0°11′07″W / 50.933288°N 0.185339°W / 50.933288; -0.185339

Hurstpierpoint is a village in the Mid Sussex district, in the county of West Sussex, England, 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Burgess Hill, and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Hassocks railway station. It sits in the civil parish of Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common which has an area of 2029.88 ha and a population of 7,112.[1]

The village was once chiefly one long street running east and west and most of the buildings in it are of the 18th century or later. The late 20th Century and early 21st Century saw Hurstpierpoint expanding greatly with new homes built north, east and west of the village.

Hurstpierpoint hosts the Hurst Festival which takes place every summer and has an active Scouts and Guides Groups.


Also, Established in 1962, the Hurstpierpoint Society is a widely backed village organization boasting over 1,300 members, dedicated to enhancing and safeguarding our village surroundings. We are especially focused on planning matters that could negatively impact the charm and heritage of our historic village or the natural environment of the nearby countryside. More

Geography[edit]

The village is built on a sandstone ridge,[2] 145 feet (44 m) above sea level, running east and west across the parish, on the road from Lewes to Albourne. This is crossed in the centre of the village by Cuckfield Road which goes north to Cuckfield. Hurstpierpoint is located close to the A23.

History[edit]

Tomb effigy in Holy Trinity Church

The Hurstpierpoint manor held all the land in a giant parish. Before the Norman Conquest it was owned by Earl Godwin. The settlement was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.[3] After the Conquest, it was held by the de Pierpoints for many centuries.

There were twin Parks at Hurstpierpoint through the later Middle Ages, Little Park north of the Greensand ridge and Danny, or Great Park (TQ 285 152) to its south. Danny Park was made by enclosing existing woodland in the early 13th century. It remained a special place right up until the 1970s, particularly for its many ancient elms, which formed an avenue northwards from the house.[4]

The name "Hurstpierpoint" derives from two sources. The first source is 'Hurst', the Saxon name for a wooded hill. The hill woodland is likely to have been on the shadier, northern side of the greensand ridge, for the sunny south side is partially on the Lower Greensand which is an area that early farmers would have settled for the fertile ground, for example at Wanbarrow, Washbrooks, Tott Farm and Bedlam Street. The second source is de Pierpoint family who were early owners of the property. Throughout the centuries there have been several variants on the Hurstpierpoint name e.g. Herst (11th century); Herstperpunt (14th century); Perpondesherst (15th century).

In 1971 the civil parish had a population of 5355.[5] On 1 April 2000 the parish was abolished to form "Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common", part also went to Albourne and Burgess Hill.[6]

Notable buildings and areas[edit]

Danny House

The greensand ridge from Hurstpierpoint to Ditchling, is tracked by both the modern B2116 road, and the Roman Greensand Way whose camber is still visible at Randolphs Farm (TQ 278 158) and at Danny's Sandy Field (TQ 288 156).[4]

Despite being sandwiched between Hassocks and the ever growing Burgess Hill to the east and the London to Brighton A23 road to the west, Hurstpierpoint is in an attractive setting. To the south are the South Downs and the impressive Wolstonbury Hill. Between the village and the Hill is Danny Park and the Danny Woods. To the north of Hurstpierpoint is a waterland geography which is centred around the Herrings Stream.

There are five churches in the village which are St George's (not in use), Hurstpierpoint Methodist Church, Hurstpierpoint Good News Church and St Luke's Roman Catholic Church, which was closed in December 2019 and the Holy Trinity parish church.

Holy Trinity[edit]

Holy Trinity Church

The parish church was a Norman church, but was largely rebuilt from the designs of Sir Charles Barry in 1843–5, who was famous for designing the Houses of Parliament.[7] In 1854, the north chapel was added, in 1874 the south chapel and the north transept has been fitted up as a chapel in memory of those who died in the War of 1914–18.[8] A number of funeral monuments and fittings were preserved from the old church. The font is probably from the 13th century, but the heavy round bowl has been reworked and painted. In the east window of the south chapel are set fifteen medallions of German or Flemish glass of the 16th and 17th centuries. In the south chapel is a much weathered recumbent effigy from 1260 of a cross-legged knight in chain armour, and at the west end of the north aisle is a much mutilated effigy of a knight from 1340. In the churchyard by the west wall are five tapering coffin lids from the 12th or 13th century, with hollow chamfered edges. One shows faint traces of a raised cross. The pavement outside the west doorway has about 150 inlaid slip tiles from the late 13th or early 14th century, which are suffering from wear.[8]

Danny House[edit]

Main article: Danny House
The Danny Old One, at around 800 years, is the oldest tree in Danny Park

Danny House (TQ 284 148) is an extravagant Elizabethan building. It is built of warm brick with a sunny Queen Anne south face and an E-faced eastern front with mullioned stone windows rising to the full height of the building and flooding the Great Hall behind in morning light.[4]

Elms once lined the drive to the House, but are now gone as a result of Dutch elm disease.

Danny Lake and Pondtail Wood (TQ 288 153) that embraces it have been restored in recent times. The wood has bluebells, anemones and primroses.

Herrings Stream[edit]

Herrings Stream

The Herrings Stream is a tributary of the eastern River Adur and runs to the north of Hurstpierpoint. Walking from Cobb's Mill (TQ 274 189) east to Eylesford Bridge (on the A273) reveals wetlands that passes many bridges and lost fordings including Cobbsmill Bridge, Gold Bridge (as in marsh marigold, kingcups), Stalker Bridge, Danworthbrook Bridge, Ruckford and Eylesford Bridge. A kilometre from Cobb's Mill to Stalker Bridge (where the Cuckfield Road crosses) you can walk alongside the running mill leat, with its sticklebacks, emperor dragonflies, grey wagtails, banded demoiselles and house martins. Upstream of Ruckford and Hammond's Mills the leats no longer function, but can still be made out.[4]

East of Ruckford Mill there is a wooded lily pond (TQ 296 179) with clear water and much hornwort and curled pondweed. Between Ruckford Mill and Locks Manor are two well managed archaic flower meadows, e.g. (TQ 293 180). Between Danworth and Kent's Farms the river meanders, and in some places little brook meadows survive. At other points they have been incorporated into larger fields.[4]

Local woods[edit]

Randolph's Copse

On the northeastern edge of Hurstpierpoint there are still two ancient woods. Tilley's Copse (TQ 283 173) is a bluebell wood, with crab apple, wych elm, gean, midland thorn and hornbeam. The Wilderness, just to the south (TQ 279 169), is a damper place.[4]

On the Gault Clay, south of Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks, are a cluster of ancient woods centred on the Elizabethan mansion of Danny, which have mostly escaped coniferisation and heavy recreational damage. They are damp places, with lovely spring wildflower displays.[4]

Stalkers (TQ 272 149), Randolph's Copse (TQ 274 145) and Foxhole Shaw (TQ 279 145) are rich and interesting at all times of year. Twenty ancient woodland flowers have been counted in Randolph's Copse, including lesser butterfly and early purple orchids, ransoms and guelder rose. There is also ragged robin and betony. White admiral and silver-washed fritillary butterflies have been recorded here. There can be orange waxcaps on the narrowing rides of Foxhole Shaw.[4]

Old Wood (TQ282 147), next to Danny, has been damaged by the whims of past big house owners, with heavy planting of non-local species, including lots of horse chestnut and both large leaved and common lime. The Gill (TQ 289 150) is a coppiced ash wood east of New Way Lane.[4]

Education[edit]

St Lawrence Church of England Primary School is located close to the centre of the village and is for children 4 to 11 years of age. Also located in the village is the public school, Hurstpierpoint College, to be found to the north-east of the village, and the pre-school, next to the Primary School, for children 2 to 5 years of age.[9]

St Lawrence Fair[edit]

Every July the St Lawrence Fair takes place in Hurstpierpoint.[10] The fair was granted a royal charter in 1313 and is still an important event in the life of the village. The fair takes place on the first Saturday in July and begins with a procession of floats through the high street. These are made by groups such as playschools, primary schools, scouts and brownies and have a different theme each year. Other popular events of the day are the family fun run and the tug-o-war where the local pubs battle it out for a barrel of beer. In 2007 and 2008 it was won by the White Horse of Albourne Road. The fair is home to Harris fun fair and usually has a chair-o-plane amongst its rides as well as different stalls such as a coconut shy. Charities and businesses from around the area place stalls, tombolas and raffles around the centre, and on the other side is the beer tent and pig roast.[citation needed]

Sport[edit]

Hurstpierpoint is the home of Hurstpierpoint F.C.,[11] who currently play in the Mid Sussex Football League. The club was formed in 1886, originally playing in the grounds of Danny House.

Hurstpierpoint is also home to a cricket club with the same name, which has several youth sides and two men's sides.[citation needed]

Notable people[edit]

James Hannington (1847–1885), Anglican missionary and martyr, was born here and served as curate-in-charge at St George's, Hurstpierpoint. He was the first Anglican bishop of East Africa.

A notable local resident was Jimmy Hill,[12] former Match of the Day presenter and football player, manager and chairman, who was generous of his time for local events, clubs and societies until his death on 19 December 2015 aged 87. Greta Scacchi also lived in the village[13] until 2011 when a dispute with a neighbour led her to leave.[14] The agricultural chemist Sir John Saint (1898–1987) lived at Selwyn in St George's Lane.[15] The Olympic runner Frank Salvat also lived there until his death in 2013, and Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kazenga LuaLua lived in the village.[16] Likewise, Brighton & Hove Albion centre back and captain Lewis Dunk has lived in Hurstpierpoint since 2016. [17] The village was home to the geologist and authority on mollusca Robert Ashington Bullen (1850–1912) for a period. William Walcot RE (1874–1943), architect, graphic artist and etcher, notable as a practitioner of refined Art Nouveau in Moscow, committed suicide at Hurstpierpoint.[citation needed]

Stand-up comedian and presenter Glenn Moore grew up in the village.[18] Journalist Emily Morgan lived in the village.[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurstpierpoint.
  1. ^ United Kingdom Census 2011. "Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common CP (Parish)". neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "The Domesday Book Online - Sussex F-P".
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bangs, David (2018). Land of the Brighton line : a field guide to the Middle Sussex and South East Surrey Weald. [Brighton]. ISBN 978-0-9548638-2-1. OCLC 1247849975.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ "Population statistics Hurstpierpoint AP/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Haywards Heath Registration District". UKBMD. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Hurstpierpoint Holy Trinity Church of England - Homepage". Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. ^ a b 'Parishes: Hurstpierpoint', in A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 7, the Rape of Lewes, ed. L F Salzman (London, 1940), pp. 172-178. British History Online [accessed 20 November 2021].
  9. ^ "Home - Hurstpierpoint College".
  10. ^ "St Lawrence Fair History". Archived from the original on 3 March 2013.
  11. ^ "Hurstpierpoint FC Website". 25 June 2020.
  12. ^ Rees, Jasper (30 August 1998). "...and into extra time Profile: Jimmy Hill". The Independent. London. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  13. ^ The Argus, news, sport, events, jobs, homes for Brighton, Hove and Sussex
  14. ^ Walker, Emily (5 February 2011). "Greta Scacchi's "driven out" of Sussex dream home". The Argus. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  15. ^ 'SAINT, Sir (Sidney) John', in Who Was Who 1981–1990 (London: A. & C. Black, 1991, ISBN 0-7136-3336-0)
  16. ^ "Kazenga LuaLua 'Sparked Mass Newcastle Fight'".
  17. ^ "Dunk's home on the market for £3.5m". 21 September 2022.
  18. ^ "If You Won't Speak Out About This, Then I Will". HuffPost. 2 August 2016.
  19. ^ Ng, Ellie (28 May 2023). "Brighton TV news journalist dies after short battle with lung cancer". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 29 May 2023.


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