Erected in 1937, the village sign offers a vivid introduction to Kirdford’s local history: its materials and symbols refer to the landscape, crafts and former industries. Other features include the parish church of St John the Baptist, Brownings moated site and an easy, four-kilometre countryside route. For a stay, you can choose between architectural history, local heritage and time outdoors.
A village sign steeped in local history
The sign stands on slabs of locally quarried Winklestone. Its base is made of ferruginous sandstone from Bedham and bears a bronze plaque about the village’s history. An oak tree symbolises Wealden forestry. The openwork iron lettering spelling “Kirdford” was made in Horsham. Together with a diamond shape filled with glass, the iron refers to the glass and iron industries that flourished in the parish. The design thus brings together several specific clues: the materials used, where they came from and symbols of former trades.
Church and medieval water feature
At the parish church of St John the Baptist, the building history can be traced through its individual parts: the nave dates from the 12th century, the north aisle from the 13th, the chancel from the 14th, the west tower from the 15th and the west porch from the 19th century. The sequence therefore ranges from the Middle Ages to a much later addition; a single construction date would not reflect these distinct phases.
Brownings moated site is a medieval fortified water feature. Its elements include a moat, an island, inner and outer banks, and part of an inlet channel. In the north-western Low Weald of West Sussex, it is one of only two medieval water features. This regional rarity adds to the individual structural features an understanding of the site’s significance in its wider context.
A route through the countryside
The easy route, described in 2011, starts in Kirdford village and is 4 km (2.5 miles) long. It follows mostly flat ground and gradually climbs to the north-west. The route includes some livestock gates; sections on the northern bridleway can be muddy. Check path conditions and access before setting out.
According to the route description, the path follows a public footpath through Great Common and a marked, permitted circular route, described as a “conservation walk”, that goes around private Whithurst Park. On the return, the route passes through Great Common woodland again. Along the way, it passes a lake and offers views of colourful wildflower meadows. The old commons around Kirdford provide another connection to the landscape: former grazing land is now covered by regenerated woodland.
Local food and the history of fruit growing
The Foresters Arms serves traditional homemade food. Check the menu before your trip. The history of fruit growing is also part of the local picture: in 1928, six fruit growers founded Kirdford Growers Ltd. under the trading name “Kirdap”. The cooperative closed in 2000. This places a historical aspect of local food production alongside today’s pub offering as distinct features.
Discover more destinations: Rudgwick, East Grinstead, Amberley, Albourne, Funtington, West Chiltington, Ford, Pagham
For the wider travel overview: West Sussex.
