Hassocks, Keymer and Ditchling

Hassocks, Keymer and Ditchling are neighbouring villages just to the north of the South Downs, some seven miles from Brighton.

Their quiet setting and long history has made them desirable places to live and have attracted some famous residents over the years.

As many people will know, Dame Vera Lynn and Herbie Flowers live in Ditchling and presenter Jamie Theakston grew up in the village. Previous residents were cartoonist Rowland Emmett and sculptor Eric Gill.

The manor of Ditchling was the property of King Alfred and later belonged to Edward the Confessor. Edward II kept horses there and gave permission for a weekly market to be held.

Back in the 18th Century, Ditchling Common was a dangerous place which led to the formation of the Ditchling Society, a group of amateur policemen whose purpose was to bring felons to justice.

Over the county boundary in West Sussex, Keymer and Hassocks have links by both road and rail to London and the Sussex coast.

The modern village of Hassocks (the name means rough tussocks of grass) grew up around the railway station built in 1841.

Local legend has it that the Southern Railway Company asked the Clayton and Keymer Parish Councils to choose a name for the new station.

But as they could not agree, in desperation the railway company decided to call the station Hassocks Gate after a farm by the toll gate on the road to Hurstpierpoint.

Over the years, Hassocks has expanded while the hamlet of Clayton, with its Saxon church nestling below the Downs, has changed little.

Hassocks has good shopping and community facilities, including four churches, three schools, five pubs, two Post Offices and its own library.

Adastra Park in the centre of Hassocks was given to the parish by the late ED Stafford, in memory of his son who was killed in the 1914-1918 war while serving in the Royal Flying Corp.

The park’s name is taken from the motto of the corps and now the RAF, per ardua ad astra.

The park contains two large recreational fields used for cricket, stoolball and football, children’s play areas, tennis courts, a bowls club and a garden of remembrance.

Adastra Hall is the scene of many activities including table tennis, short mat bowls and various evening entertainments.

The area has become popular with young families who want to move away from the city but is still within a 20-minute drive.

The railway station also means the village is popular with commuters to both London and Brighton.

Schools
St Margarets Church of England Primary School, Lewes Road, Ditchling, 01273 844130
Albourne Church of England Primary School, The Street, Albourne, Hassocks, 01273 832003
Downlands Community School, Dale Avenue, Hassocks, 01273 845892
Hassocks Infant School, Chancellor Park, Hassocks, 01273 842549
St Lawrence Church of England Primary School, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint, 01273 833229
Windmills Junior School, Dale Avenue, Hassocks, 01273 842421
Oakmeeds Community College, Station Road, Burgess Hill, 01444 241691