Kirdford: Local History and Countryside Routes

Kirdford brings together local history, medieval architecture and documented countryside routes. The local features below can help you plan a stay with an interest in history and landscape.

Local History Reflected in Kirdford’s Village Sign

Kirdford’s village sign was erected in 1937. It stands on slabs of locally quarried Winklestone. The plinth is made of iron-rich sandstone from Bedham and bears a bronze plaque about the village’s history. The other design elements also reflect local history: the oak symbolises the Wealden forestry industry, and the open ironwork spelling out Kirdford was made in Horsham. A glass-filled diamond, together with the iron, refers to the glass and iron industries that once flourished in the parish. Materials, craftsmanship and symbolism come together in this single village landmark.

Church and Medieval Site

The parish church of St John the Baptist brings together parts from several centuries. The nave dates from the 12th century, the north aisle from the 13th century and the chancel from the 14th century. These are joined by the 15th-century west tower and a 19th-century west porch. The church’s development from the 12th to the 19th century can be traced through its different parts.

Another historical feature is Browning’s moated site, a medieval fortified water site. Its features include a moat and an island, inner and outer banks, and part of an inlet channel. Its regional significance is precisely defined: Browning’s is one of only two medieval water sites in the north-western Low Weald of West Sussex. The combination of these features and its narrowly defined regional context make the site a distinctive part of local history.

Countryside and Walking

The old commons around Kirdford are now covered by regenerated woodland. A gentle 4 km (2.5-mile) route from Kirdford offers a close-up view of the landscape. It runs mostly over flat ground and climbs gradually to the north-west. There are a few livestock gates along the way; sections of the northern bridleway can be muddy.

The route starts in Kirdford village and passes through Great Common woodland again on the return leg. It follows a public footpath through Great Common, as well as a marked, permitted circular route called the “conservation walk” around private Whithurst Park. Along the way, it passes a lake and offers views of colourful wildflower meadows. The walking guide dates from 2011; check trail conditions and access before setting out.

Food and Fruit-Growing History

The Foresters Arms serves traditional home-cooked food. Check the current menu before your trip. Fruit growing is also part of Kirdford’s history: in 1928, six fruit growers founded Kirdford Growers Ltd. under the trading name “Kirdap”. The cooperative closed in 2000. Alongside the architecture and landscape, the village’s former agricultural and food production also provides a historical point of interest.

Discover more destinations: Steyning, Findon, Lancing, Billingshurst, Madehurst, Selsey, East Wittering, Pulborough

For the broader travel overview: West Sussex.