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3. About Ashurst Wood

This section contains a description of Ashurst Wood and outlines the key issues that
have influenced the Plan.

3.1 History

Ashurst Wood is not recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) but the neighbouring
Manors of Shovelstrode (to the north) and Brambletye (to the south) are. Ashurst
Wood lies at the junction of a trackway linking these two Manors and an ancient
ridgeway track (Hammerwood Road-Cansiron Lane) which is more than 5000 years
old.

The name Ashurst Wood (Aesehyrst Wilde) dates back to medieval times (1164) when
it referred to an area of common or waste land at the top of Wall Hill.

Residents of the early village were mainly labourers from nearby farms. The village
began to grow during the late 18 Century. In the 19 Century the Church, School and
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Post Office were built and the Maypole became the second public house, joining the
Three Crowns which appears in records from 1725.

Following the arrival of the railway in East Grinstead in 1855, the village grew further
as wealthy people purchased and built large family houses and estates, employing
local residents to work for them.

During the 20 Century, agricultural work declined. More houses were built and
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residents started to travel to work outside the village.

Ashurst Wood parish is located at the very north-eastern corner of the district of Mid
Sussex and the county of West Sussex. It is surrounded on three sides by the district of
Wealden in the county of East Sussex.

AWNP March 2016 Page 11