Thinking of a move to Hawkhurst or one of the villages nearby? This corner of the Kentish High Weald has a rich history, and we’ve let and sold property here for many years. Here’s a bit of background on the village, its history and its community, whether you’re already local or just weighing up the move.
Area
This historic village sits within the Kentish High Weald, near the border with East Sussex. Hawkhurst is really two villages in one, the tranquil older settlement known as The Moor, and a pretty shopping area complete with hanging baskets and a covered walkway at Highgate.
Only a few miles south of Cranbrook, Hawkhurst sits within a landscape of ridges and gentle valleys between the North and South Downs. There are three conservation areas within Hawkhurst, and where the village was once surrounded by hop gardens, it’s now enfolded by rolling farmland, a joy to explore by bicycle, motorbike or car.
History
The name of Hawkhurst was once notorious throughout southern England as home to the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers, active in the early 1700s. The village forms part of the Smugglers Trail, which runs between Goudhurst and the Sussex coast.
Hawkhurst played a role in the Wealden iron industry until the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century. William Penn, founder of the state of Pennsylvania, owned ironworks in Hawkhurst in the 17th century.
The village’s history goes back over 1,000 years. The oldest known settlement was the Saxon manor of Congehurst, burnt by the Danes in 893 AD, a lane of that name still runs to the east of the village today.
The name Hawkhurst comes from the Old English heafoc hyrst, meaning a wooded hill frequented by hawks, “Hawk Wood.” Hurst (hyrst) in a place name refers to a wood or wooded area, and there are several across West Kent and East Sussex. The 11th-century Domesday Monachorum refers to it as Hawkashyrst, belonging to Battle Abbey. By 1254, it was recorded as Hauekehurst, by 1278 often shown as Haukhurst, and by 1610 it had become Hawkherst, before evolving into its current spelling.
Interesting Fact
Hawkhurst has other claims to fame: Charles Gunther, inventor of the Oxo cube, and the astronomer Sir John Herschel, both lived in the village for many years.
Local Community
Events are often held in the village drawing on local legends and history, worth keeping an eye on the village’s What’s On page for what’s coming up.
Talk to Us
If you’re thinking of buying, selling or letting in Hawkhurst, we’d be glad to help.