Salehurst

Salehurst is a village in the Rother District of East Sussex, England, within the civil parish of Salehurst and Robertsbridge. It lies immediately to the north-east of the larger village of Robertsbridge, on a minor road; it is approximately thirteen miles (20.8 km) north of Hastings, just east of the A21 road.

In historical terms Salehurst is much older than its neighbour; before the bridge over the River Rother was built it already existed, and it is named in the Domesday Book. At the time the river crossing was by ford or ferry, but in the 12th century a newly-established order of Cistercian monks constructed the bridge, and the two settlements of Robertsbridge and Northbridge Street came into being; eventually - since the main road now bypassed the village - becoming much more important than Salehurst.

Salehurst lies approximately three miles from Bodiam, Sussex, site of Bodiam Castle. One owner of Bodiam Castle was the Levett family, who lived at Salehurst during their 'occupation' of the castle. In 1588 John Levett of Salehurst contributed to the Armada loan, and in 1607 his sons John and Thomas of Salehurst were regranted by the College of Arms their right to the Levett coat of arms issued to their Sussex ancestors.

The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. It is reputed to be the largest rural parish church in East Sussex. Rev. John Lord (1614–81) was rector from 1640 until his death. In 1937 his descendants donated to the church a portrait of him which had been owned by the family for generations.