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Uckfield gives commuters access to London, the coast and the South Downs

Posted 30 January 2017

Uckfield provides an economical commute to London, is just 15 miles from the coast and has the South Downs National Park and the Ashdown Forest close by

Uckfield is a popular commuter town in the Wealden District of East Sussex with trains to London Bridge in just over 70 minutes. The town is on the River Uck on the southern edge of the Weald.

It’s surrounded by a host of popular villages with easy access to the mainline station including East Hoathly, Framfield, Isfield and Blackboys. Over the years, new development has provided family homes in and around the town.

King Harold once spent the night in a local stately home, Isfield Place, the night before the Battle of Hastings and the popular Laughing Fish Public House, originally built as a chapel, was the local tavern of 3,000 Canadian troops stationed nearby during the Second World War. Lord Lucan visited a friend’s house on the outskirts of Uckfield the night before his car was found at the nearby port in Newhaven. This was the last known sighting of him.

The Lavender line is a preserved railway and stream train with a two-mile round trip from Isfield to Little Horsted, and is now a major family attraction. West Park and Hempstead Meadows are local nature reserves. The picturesque Ashdown Forest to the north of Uckfield offers extensive walking and riding and other outdoor pursuits and the town is close to the South Downs

Uckfield has a good range of shops, bars and restaurants, both chains and independents, along its high street which runs the length of the town. Tesco and Waitrose are the two major supermarkets. Uckfield Leisure Centre has a swimming pool, 3G sports pitches, spin studio and 4-court sports hall. The popular Uckfield Picture House is an independently-run three-screen cinema, established in 1916 and is one of the oldest in England.

The Uckfield Festival takes place during the second week in July each year and dates back to 2000 when the Festival Association was formed to organise a ‘one off event’ to celebrate the Millennium. The Big Day is held is also held in July when the whole community comes together on Luxford Field with stalls selling crafts, plants and jewellery.

There are three state primary schools in Uckfield, Manor Primary, Rooks Park and Harland plus schools in the nearby villages of Little Horsted, East Hoathly, Framfield and Blackboys. Secondary schools include Uckfield Community Technical College. The area is also well served by a variety of private schools including the Annan School Primary School, between Lewes and Uckfield, and Lewes Old Grammar School for junior and senior pupils.

A monthly season ticket to London Bridge costs £278.10 from Uckfield (£2,896 annually) with the fastest journey time of 1 hour 12 minutes. Fast trains to East Croydon take 53 minutes (£228.10 monthly, £2,376 annually); London Victoria takes 1hr 24 minutes (£278.10 monthly, £2,896 annually).

The A272 connects Uckfield with Haywards Heath (15 miles away) where a faster train service to London takes around 47mins. The A26 links to the A21 for London and the M25 via Tunbridge Wells, and the A27 in Lewes and onto Brighton (17 miles). Gatwick airport is within easy reach (22 miles), taking around 45 minutes by car. Tunbridge Wells is about 16 miles and Eastbourne approximately 18 miles.

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in and around Uckfield:

Lavender Fields (Millwood Designer Homes) - A new development with the appearance of a 200 year-old village offering 39 homes including a grand manor house with five luxury apartments and a top floor penthouse,  farm and oast houses and a selection of bespoke family homes. Prices from £325,000. Find out more about Lavender Fields from Millwood Designer Homes

Lavender Fields (Millwood)

The Kinfield (CALA Homes) – This three-bedroom detached house at Wivelsfield Green is equipped with an open-plan designer kitchen/breakfast room and separate utility space, as well as a sitting room, featuring French doors to the rear. Three bedrooms, a family bathroom and study are on the first floor. Prices from £515,000. Find out more about The Kinfield from CALA Homes 

The Kinfield (CALA Homes)​​

Willow Fields (Rowland Gorringe) - This development of four- and five- bedroom traditional Sussex-style homes is just three miles from Uckfield with spectacular views over farmland. Completing this summer, the five-bedroom homes are arranged over three floors and feature four reception rooms. The two four-bedroom homes have two en suite bedrooms. Prices on application. For details visit www.rowlandgorrigne.co.uk; 01273 474101

Willow Fields (Rowland Gorringe)

The Forge (Helix Homes Developments) – Built by a local East Sussex Company, these four-bedroom semi-detached properties offer easy access to Uckfield from Rose Hill between Lewes and Uckfield. Luxuriously appointed each of the four homes is highly energy efficient. Overlooking fields to the rear the houses feature off-road parking and low maintenance gardens. Prices from £425,000. Visit www.cubittandwest.co.uk, 01825 768915

The Forge (Helix Homes)

Lincoln Way (Your Move) - This three-bedroom family home with an integral garage is situated in a desirable mews close to Crowborough town centre. There are excellent transport links to the capital and the coast and the outstandingly beautiful Ashdown Forest borders the town.Priced at £315,000. For more details visit www.your-move.co.uk; 01892 652833

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Lincoln Way (Your Move)​​​​​​​​​​​
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