Lamberhurst

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Lamberhurst
latitude= 51.0996
longitude= 0.3932
population = 1491 [ [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=795657&c=lamberhurst&d=16&e=15&g=460933&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 National Statistics] Census 2001]
civil_parish= Lamberhurst
shire_district= Tunbridge Wells
shire_county= Kent
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Tunbridge Wells
post_town= TONBRIDGE|postcode_district = TN3
postcode_area= TN|dial_code= 01892
os_grid_reference= TQ675361

Lamberhurst is a village and civil parish in Kent although the latter parish was at first in both Kent and East Sussex. The line of the county border was adjusted in 1894 to allow farmers in Sussex to get a better price for their hops. The ecclesiastical parish has for its parish church the 14th/15th century building dedicated to St Mary.

Lamberhurst, before the Industrial Revolution, was a centre for the Wealden iron industry, which had been set up during Roman times. Since then it had some importance for the hop industry; was home to Margaret Thatcher; acquired an extensive golf course; has controversially been by-passed; and played a major role in English wine production.

The village lies in the valley of the River Teise, one of the main tributaries of the River Medway. The valley of one of its tributaries, the "River Bewl", has been flooded: the resultant lake is Bewl Water.

Also nearby are the ruins of Bayham Abbey and the 14th century Scotney Castle, both owned by the National Trust. The moat and lake in the grounds of the latter is the result of a dam on the River Teise.

The village has been recently bypassed by the A21 trunk road, which previously ran through the village. The decision caused some controversy due to its location in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The closest railway stations (both about 3 miles (4.8km) distant) are Frant or Wadhurst. The former is located in the hamlet of Bells Yew Green: note that some sources may erroneously refer to this station as "Bells Yew Green Station".

External links

* [http://www.lamberhurstvillage.co.uk The Lamberhurst Village website]
* [http://www.villagenet.co.uk/highweald/villages/lamberhurst.php Village notes]
* [http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/abbeys/bayham_abbey.htm Bayham Abbey]

References