The Village of Fletching
Fletching is situated in the beautiful rural Sussex countryside. Steeped in history, the village and Church lie in the Weald between the South Downs, a designated National Park, and the High Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which includes the Ashdown Forest.
Whilst the village is quiet, access is good via the main A272 which passes through Piltdown to the South and the A275 East Grinstead to Lewes Road which passes through Sheffield Park to the West.
The parish extends to approximately 10 square miles with a population of about 1100 and is largely rural with several working farms and forestry plantations. It includes Piltdown Golf Club, Sheffield Park House and renowned National Trust Sheffield Park Garden and the heritage steam line, the Bluebell Railway.
The population covers a wide range of age groups and occupations. It is balanced between the many who work locally on farms, in shops and other small businesses, and those who commute, or live here in retirement.
Village life
Although the population of the village is sparsely spread, there is a strong community spirit. The Church, Village Hall and Recreation Ground Pavilion are all in good shape and host a variety of village activities. Cricket deserves a special mention, and the parish has played a distinguished part in the history of this very English sport.
If you are visiting, you’ll be very welcome to call in on the newly reopened café, the Bell and Bayflower, on the High St. or a little way out of the village, Dennikers, which also has a popular café and shop.
“Fletching is my favourite place. I love going to the park because there are lots of fun things and I like having all my friends as neighbours. I like going to the pub too after school for fish and chips, and I always play with my friends outside. I like going through the secret paths in the churchyard and trying to find Jerry the cat.”
Albie, aged 5
All three pubs in the parish are very well frequented and cater for every taste, all serving food - often supplied by local farms - and attract custom both locally and from much further afield. The Griffin Inn in the heart of the village is a 13-bedroom coaching inn, which has spectacular garden views towards Sheffield Park. The Peacock Inn in Piltdown is a wood beamed 16 th century pub with a great seasonal menu. Finally, the Piltdown Man on the A272, named after the infamous anthropological hoax dreamed up nearby, has been fully refurbished and recently reopened.