Etchingham Cottages

Late 14th Century church with axial tower, north and south aisles and short nave, very little altered from the original church built by Sir William De Etchyngham who died in 1389. His memorial brass is in pride of place in front of the altar. The tower has a rare 14th C. weather vane on top, depicting the arms of the De Etchingham family. There is one bell. 14th C. south porch and 13th C. font, which may pre-date the church, as a chapel stood on the site previously. Originally the De Etchingham's manor stood nearby (probably under the railway station) and traces of the moat can still be discerned in the churchyard. Lower part of the rood screen is original, as are the medieval encaustic floor tiles. There was once a chantry chapel or sacristy on the north side of the chancel, which is now gone, although a piscina and blocked door can still be seen. The choir stalls date from about 1375, and retain the original misericords, with matching designs on north and south sides. A series of vigorous carvings show dolphins, keys, lady's heads and a fox preaching to geese. The stalls are raised slightly on a stone platform. There is a fine triple sedilia on the south side of the chancel with the usual piscina. The chancel floor has several wonderful brasses - Sir William shown in armour with feet on a lion. His head and the escutcheons are missing. West of this is a fine triple canopied brass to Sir William's son - also William, his wife Joan and son Thomas, who died in 1444. The brasses were made in London. The church was carefully restored by William Slater around 1856, but by the early 20th C. the tower was in a perilous state, the inherent design of a central tower was always difficult, and subsidence had occurred. It was found there were virtually no foundations! In 1938 tower underpinning and tie-bars were used to stabilise the tower and walls. In 2000 the church was badly flooded as it stands near the Rother and Dudwell rivers. Water reached up to the base of the communion rail. Luckily insurance paid for much of the clean up and restoration.

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Top Etchingham Hotel Reviews

Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

10/10 Excellent

"What a beautiful and serene place Ashdown Park Hotel is. I’ve been waiting a while to stay here and the anticipation was totally fulfilled. The history, the scenery, the rooms and the food; everything is excellent. We came for a one night stay as a gift for my wife’s 40th birthday. The massage treatment she had in the spa was fantastic quality and we spent a long time in the spa just relaxing. All the staff were very friendly and dinner in the Anderida restaurant was absolutely sublime; mushroom bonbons, chateaux briande cooked to perfection. The Winnie the Pooh themed cocktails were a highlight and a lovely link to the surrounding woods. The room was a little bit of a walk from reception though I don’t mind that but it was spacious and the bed and pillows were perfect. We were also lucky enough to be here for the 100 year anniversary of the story books and a special ‘Honey Pot’ afternoon tea! We will definitely be back here in the future. Thanks Ashdown Park for a perfect night away and the much needed calm you’ve brought us! We cannot wait to come back. "