Thinking of a move to Mayfield or one of the villages nearby? This corner of East Sussex has centuries of history behind it, and having let and sold houses and cottages here for more than 25 years, we’ve come to know it well. Here’s a bit of background on the village, its history and its character, whether you’re already local or just curious about the area.
Mayfield Village
Mayfield is a large village in north-east Sussex, nine miles south of Tunbridge Wells. The village sign shows a young woman and children in a flower-covered meadow, illustrating the Saxon origin of the village name, Maghefeld, or Maid’s Field.
The village has many beautiful and historic houses and cottages, alongside a good selection of everyday shops, pubs and a restaurant, a primary school, and the well-known St Leonards Mayfield Girls’ School. Mayfield prospered at the height of the iron industry, and much of its finest architecture dates from that time. The Middle House, on the High Street, is a splendid oak-beamed Tudor building, now a thriving and popular restaurant and pub.
History
Lucky Horseshoes
Rural areas are often associated with tales and legends, and Mayfield is known for the legend of St Dunstan. Formerly a blacksmith, Dunstan was working at his forge when the devil paid him a visit, disguised as a beautiful woman, hoping to lead him astray. Dunstan spotted the cloven hooves beneath the dress and grabbed the devil’s nose with his red-hot pincers. Satan returned again in disguise, but Dunstan saw through it once more, beating the devil until he pleaded for mercy and vowed never to enter any house with a horseshoe above the door. The parish church at Mayfield is dedicated to St Dunstan.
Smugglers
The area around Mayfield was well known for smugglers, and in 1710 the “Mayfield Gang,” led by Gabriel Tomkins, were owling, wool smuggling. The gang smuggled wool abroad and brought back brandy and silks in return.
Argos Hill Windmill
Nearby, Argos Hill features an unusual post mill, a feature of the area since 1834. Now restored, it was almost demolished during the First World War, when it was considered too good a landmark for German Zeppelins.
Mary Poppins
During the winter of 1933/1934, P. L. Travers wrote Mary Poppins at her home near Mayfield.
With thanks to visitsoutheastengland.com and heathfieldnews.co.uk
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