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Location
50°52'N
0°16'E
BN27 |
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Hailsham
(Ropes and Napoleon)
Name Derivation
The name Hailsham is thought to come from the Saxon 'Haegels Ham'
meaning the clearing of Haegel or possibly even Aella's Ham the
clearing of Aella the Saxon. Its name has changed through the ages
to Hamelsham in the Domesday book, Aylesham in the 13th century,
to its present spelling in the late 1600's.
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General Details
The Domesday book records that William holds 2 hides from
the Count of Mortain, that the land supports 6 ploughs, and
5 villeins. There were also 17 salt workings nearby. This area
was badly affected by the Norman invasion, and was valued at
125 shillings before 1066 and 50 after.
In 1252, Henry III granted the right to hold a market. Some
of the tolls taken during the Hundred Years War with France
were used to pay for the garrison at Pevensey. This market
continued until 1639, when it was discontinued, but re-started
in the late 1700's. The market changed its focus to livestock
and it is known that welsh farmers brought their cattle for
selling at Hailsham.
The numbers of livestock in Hailsham together with the number
of local oak trees(tannin from the bark is used in the process)
provided tanners and leather workers with a great deal of wealth
The population increased to the 300 mark by the mid 1600's
but increased significantly from about 1000 in the early
1800's to 3500 by the 1890's. This was mostly due to the
manufacture of rope which was started in 1780 by
Thomas Burfield . The term rope walk comes from the spinning
process used in rope manufacture, where by Spinners would
walk down a straight path letting out hemp, which was spun
by wheelboys turning a wheel.
In 1803 Hailsham Barracks were built to quarter troops
intended to man the Martello towers which defend the
Pevensey area from Napoleon. The Barracks were closed
after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.
During the 1800's a wide range of rope related goods
were manufactured in the vicinity, including Hop Pockets
for the brewing industry, cloths, twine, mill sails and
whip cord, and ropes for the navy.
One example of the work of Jonathan Harmer of Heathfield
can be found in the churchyard, a large stone chest type
grave with a terracotta plaque attached. This example of
his craft comes from the early 1800's.
In 1849 a branch train line was built from Polegate
to Hailsham, then extended on to Eridge via Heathfield
in the 1880's, and was known as the Cuckoo Line from
the legend . The line was closed in 1965, and is now
the Cuckoo Trail , a footpath and bridleway running from
Polegate to Heathfield .
Hailsham also used to produce Sussex Trugs, now only
manufactured at nearby Herstmonceux .
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Services
 Hailsham is one of those small towns with a wide range of shops,
and is the centre for many villages surrounding.
The High Street is the main shopping area, with the precincts
of Vicarage Field, and Quintins providing additional shops
attached to the High Street.
Hailsham has its own Leisure Centre, the Lagoon with a swimming
pool, and other facilities.
Major supermarkets are to be found in Eastbourne about 5 miles
south. The nearest trains run from Westham to Hastings and Brighton .
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Page Last Updated: 2012-02-02 21:17:10
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The High Street has a natural charm, and if you walk down from
the northern part of the town, the church, especially on a
bright sunny day stands out in front of you.
