East Hoathly: Village History and Walking Routes

Explore East Hoathly during your stay through two interests: the village’s history and walks that start in the village centre or pass through the historic village core. Notable historic buildings include the church and the Foresters Arms; the moated site in Moat Wood lies on the south-western edge of the village. These places and routes offer different points of interest: medieval settlement history, architectural history spanning several centuries, and getting your bearings around the village. You can plan your stay around whether you are primarily interested in historical context or would like to fit in a walk.

Moat Wood and the medieval settlement landscape

On the south-western edge of East Hoathly, the moated site in Moat Wood survives as an earthwork, with associated remains underground. The site is a Scheduled Monument. Its significance extends beyond the individual structure: it represents the predominant dispersed form of medieval rural settlement in the Eastern Weald sub-province. Moat Wood therefore points to a type of settlement, not just the history of a single place. This classification makes the site a distinct point of interest for anyone interested in the medieval settlement of the landscape. Its location on the south-western edge of the village also provides a clear geographical reference point in relation to the village layout.

The church and Foresters Arms: different building phases

The church in East Hoathly brings together several building phases. Its tower dates from the 15th to the early 16th century, while the rest of the church was rebuilt in 1855–56. Overall, the present church is largely a 19th-century building. The older tower and the rebuilding of the rest of the church therefore represent different periods in its architectural history.

The Foresters Arms tells a different story. The building comprises two 18th-century cottages that were converted into a pub after 1839. The original layout and fabric from the second half of the 18th century have largely been preserved. Here, a later change of use sits alongside older building fabric. Compared with the church, the Foresters Arms also highlights how much of the earlier structure has survived.

Walks through East Hoathly

Two routes offer different ways to explore on foot. The East Hoathly Walk starts in the village centre, is 3.5 miles long and is generally easy. Its starting point, length and general difficulty are all specified, which is helpful when planning the scope of a walk. The Weald Way passes through the historic village core and the churchyard. If you would like to focus on these parts of the village, this route is a useful guide; for a walk with a stated distance, the East Hoathly Walk offers a more specific basis for planning.

Event and travel planning

The “Mid Summer Magic” event takes place on East Hoathly’s playing fields. The programme and dates may vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your stay around the event, check the details for your intended travel year. Along with the walking routes and historic buildings, the event offers another possible reason to plan the timing of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Cross in Hand, Seaford, Buxted, Catsfield, Peasmarsh, Mountfield, Horam, Iden.

Go to the main travel overview: East Sussex.