Westfield, East Sussex

Known as Westewelle in the Domesday survey, Westfield in the Rother District of East Sussex is one of the largest villages in the area with a population of around 2,750. The village lies five miles (8 km) north of Hastings. Carr-Taylor Vineyards is local. There is still a village shop, newsagents, butchers and hairdressers, although the post office closed in November 2000. There are two pubs: The Old Courthouse originally The New Inn and The Plough. Westfield Board School opened in 1877 and is a popular choice with parents within the surrounding areas

A prominent sight when entering the village from the south is the church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Its many features include extensive buttressing, a 12th-century porch and a 14th-century font with an elaborate 17th-century cover. Above the door to the tower there is carved a Royal Coat of Arms with the list of vicars since 1250 set below. Looking towards the nave there is a Norman arch with squint windows to the side, cut through the 32 inches of stone. Another feature at the road entrance is the lychgate, with its four carved angels; this was added in 1887. The history of Westfield has been extensively researched by a resident of Westfield descended from a family who appear in the records from 1552. Westfield Football Club play in the Sussex County League Division Two.

Landmarks
The parish contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest&mdash;Maplehurst Wood. This is a 78 acre ancient woodland containing a range of flora and avian fauna. It is the only East Sussex site for Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia).