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Original poster

Hurstpierpoint/Hassocks - we're moving there - any info?

39 replies

Pollyanna · 17/10/2005 08:47

Does anyone know this area and have any information or experience?

Actually we're moving to Ditchling (I think) and I wondered whether anyone had any views on this area. What are the facilities for toddlers like, any good nurseries? etc. Our older 2 will be going to the local school.

I'm having second thoughts about moving there, please tell me it's ok??

OP posts:
Original poster
Pollyanna · 17/10/2005 12:17

anyone?

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 17/10/2005 12:20

My in-laws live in Ditchling

I don't know about the school, but it has a nice recreation ground with kids play place.

It seems a nice enough place, very quiet. The pubs are nice. Obviously wonderful walking etc on the Downs.

There is a nice little farm (washbrooks) in Hurstpierpoint, and another one in Ditchling (can't remember the name). Plus of course you are v close to Brighton which is great fun

Why are you having second thoughts?

Lonelymum · 17/10/2005 12:24

Do you want to live in a village? i used to live very close to Hurst and Hassocks (mainline station at Hassocks means it is easy to get to London on the train) so I know a bit about the area but not services in that immediate area. Just thinking that if you wanted a larger settlement, Lewes is near, also Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath, or or course, Brighton as CD mentioned.

CountessDracula · 17/10/2005 12:35

There seem to be a large number of retired people in Ditchling, though of course there must be plenty of families too as there is a school. Hurstpierpoint has a bit more about it ? more shops, (Ditchling only has one plus a sort of bakers/tea shop)

Original poster
Pollyanna · 17/10/2005 12:39

i'm having second thoughts because I've never lived in a village, and really like living in London. Dh grew up in a village and wants to bring up our children there. I also made the mistake of watching a programme about Ditchling last week and it terrified me (full of WI and old people) and I just worry about stagnating.

We had thought about living in Brighton, but we weren't going to get a much bigger house, and we would have to go into private schools for at least the older 2 (no places atm in state schools) and we thought that Brighton has the same disadvantages as London really. however, we thought that Ditchling might have the best of both worlds - very close to Brighton for culture, but with a bigger house and greenery etc as well.

OP posts:
Tortington · 17/10/2005 12:46

its a train ride away from brighton - and a short one at that which means you can attend brioghton mn meets and get wery drunk

what else do you need ffs?

RottenRhubarb · 17/10/2005 12:47

Fantastic names!
Ditchling
Hurstpierpoint

You couldn't make that up could you?

Tortington · 17/10/2005 12:51

hey rhuby it gets better
how about
ansty cowfold

thats how its written on a road sign on the A23 - and its two places - however i am gonna call my next kid that

CountessDracula · 17/10/2005 12:52

Hassocks has the train to Brighton but is not so nice

If it were me I would move to Hurstpierpoint not Ditchling as seems younger and more fun

CountessDracula · 17/10/2005 12:52

pease pottage always makes me laugh signed from the A23

Actually if it was me I would stay here!

RottenRhubarb · 17/10/2005 12:53

I like it!
Your NEXT kid did you say? Is there something you want to tell us?

Lonelymum · 17/10/2005 13:16

If I had my time again, I would definitely try looking at Lewes. I think Ditchling would feel so small for you Pollyanna and if Brighton doesn't appeal to you, Lewes must be inbetween the two in terms of size and amenities. It is a lovely country town so not necessarily all WI ladies, but close to the country to suit dh. If you went a bit further west, i could recommend the village I lived in which is a quite big and a marvellous place for children and their parents alike, but I imagine you are trying to be near a mainline station.

Original poster
Pollyanna · 17/10/2005 18:29

I really like Brighton LM, both for myself and for the facilities for the children and would want to be as close as possible to it. But in terms of housing and education it didn't (in dh's view!) offer us much more than we currently have in London.

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pixel · 17/10/2005 19:26

I buy my horsefeed in Hassocks and it's only about 10 minutes from Hove in the car. I wouldn't mind living there myself but then I like peace and quiet, walking, riding etc (there's also a fab garden centre). I should imagine if you like more hustle and bustle it would seem a bit quiet although the high street always seems busy and has a good selection of shops, much better than Ditchling anyway which is tiny. I agree that it might be worth you looking at Lewes. More of a 'small town' feel rather than 'large village' but still close to stunning countryside.

I think the childrens' farm in Ditchling is called 'Stoneywish'. They have animals/cafe etc and acres of meadows to run around in.

Lonelymum · 17/10/2005 19:29

Ditchling still doesn't seem like the answer to me. I am intrigued at how you came to choose that particular village. Lewes is very close to Brighton, no more than about 10 minutes drive outside rush hours. Wouldn't that make a good compromise between what you want and what dh wants?

hoxtonchick · 17/10/2005 19:30

oooh, my friend lives in ditchling, as do her parents. she doesn't have any kids though, i must encourage her! it's a beautiful village, very different to london though (i suspect you knew that already...).

Hazellweenut · 17/10/2005 19:35

I spent many a drunken evening as a teenager in Ditchling !! Lived nr. Brighton on the coast, went to school in Lewes and had friends from school in Ditchling. Lovely place but may be a bit quiet. Lewes is much bigger, but is quite villagey in the feel of it although my mum always described it as 'everyone always knows what everyone else is doing' but guess they would in a village !! Good schools in Lewes (well they were when I was there, a while back).

LIZS · 17/10/2005 19:40

hmm. I agree that Ditchling may be too small and remote. How about Haywards Heath, or you could also have a look at Lindfield or Cuckfield which are villages on the edge of HH but less than 5/10 minutes drive from the centre. Lewes is lovely but isn't it quite pricey ?

Weatherwax · 17/10/2005 19:46

I'd agree with Lonleymum in that Ditchling doesn't seem quite right for you if you'd prefer the hustle and bussle of Brighton. Watch out for Lewes floods though if you go there. I would suggest comming and looking at these places and make a list of what you all need. I moved to Haywards Heath and I feel that the locals don't want to move into this centuary. I used to live in Worthing and I didn't believe anywhere could be more backward living as that place when I moved there but I was wrong! But there are a lot of kids round here! I wish I'd taken more time making my decision when I moved here and a wander round at times would have helped.

Custy, Ansty is next to Cuckfield if you are looking for names. I always get it mixed up with Cowfold which is near to A24

Original poster
Pollyanna · 17/10/2005 22:43

Oh God, it's so hard. On the one hand, part of me hankers after that quiet peaceful rural idyll where I know everyone in the community, on the other hand...

hoxtonchick has your friend said much about Ditchling?

LM, we weren't setting out to look in Ditchling (we were looking in Hurstpierpoint though), but an agent mentioned a house to us that we looked at and really like. I have looked round the school too and it seems very nice. But I think I need to visit the village again.

I do like Lewes too, but dh has to get to work in London.

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startingtobehalloweenylover · 17/10/2005 22:46

yes! my mum grew up there (hurstpierpoint) and my aunt still lives there!

i live quite close... that's a pretty big bonus!

albert · 17/10/2005 23:01

Have you considered Horsham? It's cheaper than Lewis and bigger but still has a country feel to it.

spidermama · 17/10/2005 23:02

Ditchling's lovely. We were looking in and around there when we thought we wanted to move to more rural places. (We're in Brighton).

startingtobehalloweenylover · 17/10/2005 23:02

I grew up in Handcross (another rural village much like hurstpierpoint/ditchling etc etc) and i HATED it

it was ok while i was little... but being a teenager in a tiny village really sucks

hoxtonchick · 17/10/2005 23:14

she grew up there pollyanna, & subsequently moved back to marry the boy next door so i think that's quite a vote of confidence!