An early 12th-century parish church, a moat with a rectangular island and a broadleaved woodland designated as an SSSI give Mountfield several distinct points of interest. Added to these are wine growing on a south-facing slope, as well as Darwell Reservoir and Darwell Wood. When choosing a destination, you can first decide whether cultural history, wine or nature is most important to you. These themes lead to different details: a historical date, the measurable shape of an island, a vineyard site, and the connection between woodland and birdlife. This makes it possible to assess Mountfield in terms of specific interests.
Cultural history: church and moat
The parish church of All Saints in Mountfield dates from the early 12th century. This date provides a clear point of reference if you are interested in the village’s church history. At the moat of Glottenham Castle, by contrast, the focus is on its shape: it encloses a rectangular island 50 metres long and 35 metres wide. The island is therefore 15 metres longer than it is wide. An early century and measurable side lengths thus offer two different perspectives on Mountfield’s history.
Darwell Reservoir and Darwell Wood
Darwell Reservoir covers around 156 acres and is slightly more than a mile long. Its area and length describe two different dimensions of the same body of water; both figures are approximate. Darwell Wood is a broadleaved woodland beside Darwell Reservoir and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). SSSI stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest, a site of particular scientific interest. There is also a specific connection to birdlife: Darwell Wood is home to breeding birds such as woodcock, green woodpecker, sparrowhawk and tawny owl. Those interested in nature can consider the reservoir in terms of its extent and learn about the woodland through its designation and the species that breed there.
Wine growing and rail connections
The vineyard at Mountfield Winery lies on a south-facing slope at an altitude of 50 to 85 metres, a range of 35 metres. Mountfield Winery produces sparkling wines from classic Champagne grape varieties using the traditional method; the sparkling wines age on the lees for at least five years. For those interested in wine, the site and the production can be considered separately: the slope describes the vineyard, while the grape varieties, method and lees ageing describe the sparkling wine. If wine is one of your travel interests, you can consider Mountfield Winery alongside the village’s cultural and landscape attractions.
Robertsbridge railway station is near Mountfield Winery and on the line from London Charing Cross. This provides a specific reference point for planning rail travel. Check the current timetable for your travel date before deciding on departure times and journey durations.
Discover more destinations: East Hoathly, Piltdown, Polegate, Cross in Hand, Winchelsea, Eastbourne, Playden, Chiddingly
For the broader travel overview: East Sussex.
