Piltdown brings together an unusual scientific history, a listed clubhouse, a heath-fringed golf course and Piltdown Pond. These themes lead in different directions: the story of Piltdown Man concerns the discovery and scientific examination, while golf and a walk by the water appeal to other interests. If you are planning a stay, these can help you decide which focus will shape your trip.

A discovery story with several layers

Piltdown Man became known through finds in Pleistocene gravel deposits near the village of Piltdown in Sussex, England. A monolith monument on the grounds of Barkham Manor in Piltdown marks the spot where Charles Dawson found the fossil skull of Piltdown Man. A fluorine test found that the Piltdown fossils were only about 50,000 years old. Investigations also showed that the skull and jaw fragments came from two different species: a human and a presumably orangutan-like ape. The fossils had been boiled and stained to match the colour and age of the Piltdown gravel deposits. The case is known as the Piltdown Man hoax; its discovery story and the later scientific findings therefore belong together.

To understand the findings, it is useful to distinguish between the questions: the gravel deposits locate the discovery story, the fluorine test concerns the age, and the examination of the fragments concerns their origin. The treatment of the fossils also explains how they were made to look like the deposits.

At The Piltdown Man, visitors can read about the Piltdown Man hoax in the bookshelves. The Piltdown Man is on Goldbridge Road (A272) in Piltdown, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3XL. If this reading is important to your visit, check in advance whether the books are still available to read.

Piltdown II should be understood differently: the site was thought to be at Netherhall Farm, between Sheffield Park and Fletching, about two kilometres northwest of Barkham Manor. Its exact location was never fully disclosed. The location is therefore an approximate historical reference and should not be equated with the findspot marked by the monolith monument at Barkham Manor.

Clubhouse and heathland golf

Piltdown Golf Club House dates from the 17th century and is a Grade II listed building. Piltdown Golf Club has a challenging, heath-fringed 18-hole course, laid out in 1904 on an old heathland site in Sussex. This brings out two distinct historical connections: the Club House is part of the area’s architectural history, while 1904 marks the creation of the golf course. The heath links its landscape character with the history of the land from which the course was developed.

Piltdown Pond: nature by the water

At Piltdown Pond, the water takes centre stage. The pond is home to a variety of birds and aquatic life. A leisurely walk lets you experience the waterside surroundings; the scenic setting is also suitable for photography.

Discover more destinations

Polegate, Ewhurst Green, Peasmarsh, Robertsbridge, Mayfield, Winchelsea Beach, Hastings, Newick

For the overarching travel guide: East Sussex.