Heathfield is a great base to visit local places of interest and also has the following to offer:
Tourism - Events in Heathfield
Cuckoo Fair - April
According to local legend, England would enjoy no spring at all without the news from Heathfield. It all began at "Hefful Fair". In 1315 the Bishop of Chichester was our lord of the manor and he made the grant of a market and fair. The dates chosen were the 3 April and 18 June, amended by the calendar correction of 1752 to 14 April and 27 June. The great day of our legend falls on the first of these dates, 14 April, when glad tidings are spread far and wide from Heathfield, by the old woman of Heffle Fair. She carries a basket hanging from her arm and during the day she opens it to let the cuckoo fly out and that tells all of England that winter has finished and spring is at the full and summer is on the way. Sussex folk still reckon to hear the cuckoo on the fair's traditional day, the 14 April.
the heathfield show - May
This is the largest one day agricultural show in the country and is held on the Saturday of the second May bank holiday weekend. The show was first held on the Hardy Roberts recreation ground at Cross-in-Hand in 1946; run by the Heathfield branch of the National Farmers Union as a fundraiser for local hospitals (it was pre-NHS). The last Saturday in May or the first in June was not chosen by accident. Mr Henry Dallimore, whose idea it was to hold that first show in 1946, explained "according to two local weather experts the driest fortnight of the year, based on their records for 40 years, was the last week in May and the first in June".
Heathfield Carnival - June
This was re-introduced in 2008 by the Heathfield and Waldron Rotary Club. There is a procession of floats of local businesses and groups through the High Street and stalls are set-up at the Community Centre, Sheepsetting Lane, selling goods and refreshments with fun fair rides for the children.
Le Marche - August
During the early 1990s, Heathfield, like many Wealden market towns, was having a tough time with many empty shops and the local traders were barely struggling to survive. By late 1996 there was a desperate search for new ideas to breathe life into the town to sustain economic viability. So in 1997 the event started - taking place on the August bank holiday Monday, with equal numbers of french and english traders, entertainment with street theatre and jazz on the bandstand and story-telling in the library. In the wake of the event the twinning association was set up and, thereafter, has played an important role.
Tourism - Leisure in Heathfield
Cuckoo Trail
This 11 mile trail follows the former 'Cuckoo Line' railway track which stretches from Heathfield to Polegate. It passes through Horam, Hellingly and Hailsham. The surfaced track provides a safe route for walkers, cyclists and horseriders. An extension runs south from Polegate to Hampden Park, near Eastbourne forming part of the National Cycle Network (Route 21). Benches and picnic tables along the way offer plenty of places to stop for a break. The Cuckoo trail ranger can be contacted on tel 01273 481637. Please see attached leaflet.
Tourists and local walkers can also enjoy dozens of walks that link to rural businesses such as hotels and bed and breakfasst, pubs, restaurants, shops and leisure facilities thanks to East Sussex County Council's Paths to Prosperity project. To find out more click here
Markets
A Farmers Market is held on the third Saturday of the month in the Co-op car park, Heathfield, 9.00am - 12.30pm. For full information on stallholders please click on the Farmers Market button.
Every Tuesday morning an antiques and general market is held next to the Crown Inn Public House. For more information contact telephone number: 01435 862132.
For full information on tourist and leisure facilities within East Sussex, please visit: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism
Fishing Find out all the local fisheries in East and West Sussex.
Golf Courses A comprehensive list of golf courses around East Sussex.
Pubs a guide to pubs in East Sussex.
Wealden Leisure - where to walk, cycle, horseride and find the local leisure centres.
If you are looking for a bed and breakfast to stay in, please click on the Bed and Breakfast button on the left and there is also a caravan and camp site to stay at, please visit horam manor caravan park
For Historical information please click on the Historical Information button in the drop down menu.
