Fernhurst: History and Landscape in the South Downs National Park

Fernhurst combines the landscape of the South Downs National Park with an unusually tangible village and industrial history. The village lies among hills, on the edge of the once-wooded Weald and in a densely wooded valley with clay soil. Anyone planning a trip can combine nature, local history and living traditions in a variety of day-trip ideas here.

Discover the Village Character and Landscape

Fernhurst developed around a crossroads known as The Prayer Cross and its surviving village green, the historic village common. These two landmarks give the village a clearly recognisable, organically developed structure. The River Lod is also part of the landscape: the river is a tributary of the western Rother and drains the area around Fernhurst.

For nature-focused outings, Black Down is an important landscape area to explore. The land lies in the Civil Parish of Fernhurst and is owned by the National Trust. Black Down is managed for its internationally significant heathland and lies on the Serpent Trail. This walking trail is 65 miles, or 106 kilometres, long and is intended to highlight the landscape, wildlife and history of the Greensand Hills. The Haslemere to Fernhurst circular walk follows signposted paths and emerges in Fernhurst beside the Red Lion pub.

Church, Iron Industry and Early Traces

St Margaret’s Fernhurst offers a distinctive insight into the village’s history. The present church building has Norman origins and was built within fifty years of the Norman Conquest of England. Surviving features include the font, some ceiling beams and most of the north wall of the original building. These include two lancet windows, one in the chancel and one in the nave.

Another key site is North Park Furnace. The site dates from 1614 and is one of the earliest and best-preserved iron industry sites in the western Weald. It is considered to be of national importance for its type and date; North Park Furnace is also a Scheduled Monument. The monument includes a dam, a blast furnace with an associated wheel pit, water channels and a casting pit. Fernhurst was a centre of ironworking in the 17th and 18th centuries. Using local iron deposits, streams and charcoal from the surrounding forests, skilled workers produced cast-iron cannons as well as equipment for agriculture and household use.

Earlier periods are also represented in the village: remains from the Stone Age and the Roman period have been found in Fernhurst. Together with the church and the Furnace, they create a broad historical spectrum that is not limited to a single period.

Traditions and Trip Planning

The Fernhurst Revels is a village festival held every year in May or June; the tradition dates back around 80 years. The programme includes a May Queen procession, a performance of the legend of Saint George slaying the dragon, maypole dancing and a fancy-dress competition. Anyone travelling with children can combine the landscape, local history and this colourful festival tradition to suit different interests. Those wishing to experience the Revels should plan their trip for May or June.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Fernhurst, you can therefore decide on your preferred style of travel first: should the trip focus primarily on the heathland and the Serpent Trail, explore the history of the church and iron industry in greater depth, or include the Fernhurst Revels period?

Other Destinations Nearby

For further orientation, you can also visit the pages on Ardingly, Selsey, Coldwaltham, Rake, Stedham, Ford, Henfield and Plaistow.

For the overview of the wider travel area: West Sussex.