Hurst Green brings together a centuries-old historic route and places where military history, landscape and architectural styles are reflected in different ways. Stage Field was the site of the country’s second-largest Napoleonic fort and offers wide-ranging views; Swiftsden House can be understood through its construction date, architect and style. The High Weald Archery Club also offers archery. For your stay, you can choose how to balance local history, architecture and activities.
Hurst Green on a historic route
For centuries, Hurst Green was an important place on the route from London via Tonbridge, Lamberhurst, Robertsbridge and Battle to the old Cinque Port of Hastings. The named places along the way make the historical connection concrete: Hurst Green appears not in isolation, but as part of a longer route. This offers a different perspective from looking at individual buildings and their architectural styles.
Stage Field: Fort history and views
Stage Field brings together two aspects: it was the site of the country’s second-largest Napoleonic fort and is also a little-used historic public open space. In 1949, Colonel T B. Hornblower gave the land to the local area. Wide-ranging views over the surrounding landscape also define the site. Here, you can consider two distinct aspects of the same open space: the historical significance of the fort site and the open views across the landscape.
Architectural history and floor plan
Swiftsden House is a small country house built by Reginald Blomfield in 1892 in the Neo-William-and-Mary style. Its construction date, architect and style offer different ways to understand it: the year places the house in time, the architect’s name points to its design, and the style describes its architectural language. The prefix “Neo” indicates a later revival of older design traditions.
At the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, the shape of the floor plan is distinctive: a polygonal plan is joined to a semicircular section. “Polygonal” describes a shape with several straight sides; here, it meets a rounded section. A floor plan shows the shape from above, so you can understand the connection between the two sections as a spatial arrangement. The architecture can therefore be understood through the contrast between angular and semicircular forms, while Swiftsden House is identified by its date, architect and style.
Sunday service
A service is held every Sunday at Holy Trinity Church. The set day of the week can help with your schedule if you would like to attend a service during your stay. If you are planning a visit to the church, check in advance on visitor access.
Archery at the High Weald Archery Club
The High Weald Archery Club has an indoor range with a shooting distance of up to 30 m, an outdoor range of up to 90 m, and a field course. The stated maximum distances for the indoor and outdoor ranges differ by 60 m; the field course complements them as a third format. The club provides the necessary equipment for the duration of the course.
Discover more destinations: Rodmell, Alfriston, Buxted, Ninfield, Crowborough, Hastings, Vines Cross, Pevensey
For the regional travel overview: East Sussex.
