Looking for a lovely place to live in Sussex. Not coastal

[mumma24]

We’re looking to move to a village or town in East or West Sussex. Ideally north of the south downs. So not coastal. Somewhere with a convenience shoos, coffee shops, pubs etc and on a bus route. Any suggestions please? Ideally within 45 drive to Haywards Heath thank you

Thank you everyone. We have have to look a little further away. Looking at places like Heathfield, , Crowborough and their surrounding villages too. Keep your suggestions coming

Yes Storrington fits your bill perfectly.

Another vote for Storrington. Being 5 minutes (drive) from a particularly beautiful spot on the South Downs Way is a particular votewinner there.

Dont know them particularly well, but understand Wisboriugh Green, Petworth and Midhurst are nice villages

Little bit further but into East Sussex - Battle? robertsbridge?

East hoathley, lower or upper dicker, maresfield

Both lovely places to live but the A265 is really rubbish road and it would take a good hour and a half to get to HH.

Forest Row. Buses to Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Crawley and Haywards Heath/Brighton. HH 30 min drive. Reasonable local shops and Ashdown Forest on the doorstep. It does pride itself on being a bit 'alternative' but I'm not and have lived here happily for almost 30 years.

I was going to suggest where I live in East Sussex, Northiam, but it is an hour 15 minutes from HH. 30 minutes from Heathfield if you’re looking there.

However, in my view it has a lot going for it. We have the following: 2 convenience shops, bakers, DIY shop, a well regarded GP practice where you can actually get appointments! a fantastic vets, opticians. Fantastic walks on a good network of footpaths. Friendly community with lots going on,

We are literally on the East Sussex/ Kent border 10 minute drive from Tenterden ( in Kent) which has a Tesco, Waitrose, Boots, W H Smith as well as lots of independent stores and a plethora of coffee shops. Bus routes to Hastings, Rye and Tenterden.

We don’t have a pub but the village just across the border ( which is at the bottom of our village) has one.

Thanks @squashyhat sounds good, will check it out. Is there a village hall or green where they have community events too?

Thank you @2doglady like the sound of Northiam. My best friend lives in broad oak heathfield so not too far either.

Second the vet recommendation at Northiam! Moved my boys there when Medivet took over at Cranbrook - best decision ever!

as you asked squashy hat this question Northiam has both a village hall and the playing fields where events are held.

I also forgot to mention the fish and chip shop and the Indian restaurant in the village.

Great Dixter House is here and the Kent and East Sussex heritage railway, which runs from Tenterden to Bodiam has a station at the bottom of the village.

Heathfield is nice, we were going to buy a house there which fell through. That’s how we ended up in Northiam purely by chance. Don’t regret it at all.

@Petrine and @SeanMean another Storrington local here. I wonder if we pass eachother at the school gates? 🤣

Hassocks is a great location, easy for HH, Brighton and the downs.

@2doglady I'm also in Northiam and would absolutely recommend it. Particularly the GP, the vet and the deli. It is also close to an independent supermarket (Jempsons) and the coast at Camber and Rye. Northiam has the feel of a small village but the facilities of a larger one which makes it a good place to live. Heathfield is 40 minutes away. I know this because my mum lives there.

Just out of curiosity, why don't you want to live near the coast? I do and it's fab!

Given the choice I’d choose country over coast?

Windy, sandy, salty and sometimes inundated with tourists. I like it for the odd visit but much prefer the peace of the countryside.

Isn’t there a house premium when you are close to the coast?

I'd also take the downs over the sea any day of the year. Really don't get any joy from beaches

Given the choice I’d choose country over coast?

Windy, sandy, salty and sometimes inundated with tourists. I like it for the odd visit but much prefer the peace of the countryside.*

Fair enough!

Isn’t there a house premium when you are close to the coast?

Possibly? I don't really know to be honest as I've lived here all my life. I'm not directly on the coast (unfortunately) but only a 10 minute drive.

Small correction. Petworth is a town albeit village sized. The locals are quick to correct on this 🤣

Uckfield, Ringmer, Lewes, Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint, Ditchling, Cuckfield?

Yes there's a social club, community hall and a green with a youth centre and skate park. Lots of local events - we've just had the village festival which is very popular. Downsides are a bit of anti-social behaviour and far too many dogs IMO