Turners Hill

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption=
latitude= 51.10368
longitude= -0.08519
official_name = Turners Hill
population =
civil_parish= Turners Hill
shire_district= Mid Sussex
shire_county= West Sussex
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Horsham
post_town= CRAWLEY
postcode_district =
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= TQ341355

Turners Hill is a village and civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. The civil parish covers an area of 1389.95 ha, and has a population of 1,849 (2001 census).

The village is located three miles (5 km) south-west of East Grinstead, four miles to the south-east of the Crawley New Town area and stands on a steep ridge line at one of the highest points (580 feet above sea level) of the High Weald, where two historically important routes, the B2110 and B2028, cross. There are impressive views from the centre of the village to both the North and South Downs and on a clear day from the top of St Leonards Church tower one can see the sun shine on the sea.

In the centre is the village green which, together with the shops and the "Crown" pub, form the focal point. The Church of St Leonard stands on a ridge of the hill. Bell-ringers from all over the county visit St Leonard's to ring its peal of eight bells. Although a compact village, it boasts three pubs, the "Crown", "Red Lion" and "Turners" (formerly the "Punch Bowl"). Facilities for football, netball, five-a-side and tennis are available on the large recreation ground while the cricket club now has its own ground. The village has two churches, St Leonard's Anglican church and Turners Hill Free Church. There is a Victorian primary school, Turners Hill Church of England primary school, which has recently been extended, and has a wind turbine. The headteacher is Ollie Burcombe. Pupils usually move to Imberhorne School after year six. A community centre, The Ark, and parish council facilities involving a village housing scheme (local homes for local people) has been built adjacent to the recreation ground.

The area to the north of the cross-roads represents the major residential development in recent years, and Clock Field was proposed to be built on, which would have seen the historic part of the older village changed forever, but a Planning Meeting by Mid Sussex District Council in December 2007 refused the planning application for several important reasons. The older parts of the village, and in particular Lion Lane, have retained their historic character. Many buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries and a number have been listed by the Department of the Environment. The village centre with its pubs and churches has been designated a conservation area, although a busy road through the middle detracts from its character.

port

Football (soccer) is a very popular sport in the village. There are two football teams; Turners Hill and Turners Hill reserves. Football is often played at the recreation ground (always called "the rec or the ark" by villagers) for fun as well as by all three teams. There is a traditional rivalry with the nearest village Crawley Down. The rec also holds events such as the annual village fair.

The village is known as one of the hardest sections of the London to Brighton bike ride, perhaps second only to Ditchling Beacon, and every year causes severe congestion.

Notable residents

Antiques appraiser David Battie, who is an expert on "Antiques Roadshow" and at Sotheby's. Olympic athlete Daley Thompson lived in the village for a short time.
Jimmy Page, guitarist for Led Zeppelin, owned a house in the village for several years after the break-up of the band.

Worth Abbey and Worth School are situated near the village.

External links

* [http://www.turnershill.w-sussex.sch.uk/ Turners Hill Primary School]
* [http://www.roughwood.net/ChurchAlbum/WestSussex/Worth/TurnersHillStLeonard2004.htm St Leonard's Church photos]