Blackhouse Farm and Budlett’s Corner

Sussex has four moated buildings, Herstmonceux Castle, Bodiam Castle, Michelham Priory and the lesser known Plumpton Place.

Some two hundred years ago it was traditionally thought that there had in the past been a moated house on farmland at Blackhouse Farm, Budletts Common. The vanished house could perhaps have been the home of the Masters of the Forest or was it, as spoken locally, ‘John O’Gaunt’s Castle’?

Did Maresfield have the fifth moated house in Sussex?

A very early photograph of Budletts Corner, showing Blackhouse Farm and cottages with the unmade road and wooden signpost towards Five Ash Down and Buxted. These properties are in the main unchanged today, on the right hand side of London Road just after you cross the Budlett’s roundabout heading towards Ringles Cross.

Maresfield Mill Pond

The Mill Pond was situated at the bottom of School Hill. The reeds and most of the water are no more, as at this point the Budlett’s roundabout links the A22, A272 and A26 roads.

The Mill, said to be one of the finest flour mills in the area, was destroyed by fire in 1878 whilst in the ownership of John Hill and never rebuilt. The Mill House remains.