Ardingly

Ardingly
Sussex
St Peter's Church, Ardingly
Location
Grid reference:	TQ347294
Location:	51°2’56"N, 0°4’47"W
Data
Population:	1,833  (2011)
Post town:	Haywards Heath
Postcode:	RH17
Dialling code:	01444
Local Government
Council:	Mid Sussex
Parliamentary constituency:	Horsham

Ardingly is a village in the north of Sussex, four miles north of the centre of Haywards Heath. The village stands within the Weald, and has been included in the 'High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. It is 33 miles north-east of the county town, Chichester.

The 2011 Census recorded a population of 1,936.

St Peter's Church, towards the western end of the village, dates from the 14th century.

History and heritage

There is mention of a place Ertlyngeleghe, in 1396, which may refer to Ardingly.

Kew's wild botanic garden, Wakehurst (previously known as Wakehurst Place) is about a mile and a half north of the village. It operates as a "seed bank".

Ardingly Reservoir is about a mile west of the village. The Big-Upon-Little rock formation is close to a footpath between Ardingly and West Hoathly.

Events

In June the South of England Show early in the month and the London to Brighton cycle event (usually held on Father's Day) attract visitors from a wide area. The South of England Showground hosts regular antiques fairs, some of which have featured on the BBC Television game show Bargain Hunt.

Every four years an international Scout camp is held on the showground, attended by about 3,000 Scouts and Girl Guides from Sussex and other areas at home and abroad.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Ardingly)

• Ardingly Village

References

• Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Sussex, 1965 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-09677-4
• A History of the County of Sussex - Volume 7 pp 127-132: The Rape of Lewes (Victoria County History)