With over forty medieval and post medieval timber-framed houses, Lindfield was praised by the judges of the Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live Guide for its “enviable period homes” and “bewitching” duck pond.
The duck pond (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)
Its “beauty”, schools, shops, connections and amenities that would “satisfy the most hard-headed house hunter” earned it the accolade of best place to live in the South East.
St Leonards and Petworth also made the top ten list for the South East.
“It’s just as perfect for more romantic souls, ready to be bewitched by the duck pond, the enviable period homes, the warm and welcoming community and the Sussex countryside,” the publication’s judges said of Lindfield.
The village is rich in historic architecture (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)
“The little high street is useful and aspirational, but the star of the show is the Lindfield Coffee Works, a buzzy roastery and café that is always packed with locals of all ages. In the evenings, the crowds move to the Stand Up Inn for games of toad-in-the-hole, a traditional Sussex coin-tossing game.”
The village’s spring-fed pond is home to fish, ducks, visiting swans and the occasional heron, while the King Edward hall often hosts exhibitions and other events.
Lindfield (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)
Visit South East England says the village, which some 6,000 people call home, has “four ingredients traditionally required for an attractive Sussex village”.
These being a “historic church, picturesque High Street, tranquil pond graced by wildfowl and a large open common”.
Lindfield (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)
The historic church in question, All Saints Church, dates back to the 11th century. Next to the church, the oldest building in the village is Church House, known as “The Tiger”. It was once an inn for travellers in need of food and lodging.
The name Lindfield means “open land with lime trees” and the ancient High Street is indeed lined with lime trees.