Robertsbridge

Robertsbridge is a large parish in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The early settlement of Robertsbridge was driven by its position as a good crossing point of the River Rother for people travelling from Hastings to London and from the foundation of Robertsbridge Abbey.

By the late middle ages Robertsbridge was clearly a fairly well-off place judging by the number of good quality timber-framed buildings that remain in the village from that era. Robertsbridge had a charter for a market and a thriving coaching trade.

Robertsbridge Abbey

There's little to be seen of Robertsbridge's 12th century Cistercian Abbey today - the abbey moved a short distance to nearby Salehurst in 1210.

It is reckoned that Robertsbridge gets its name from the abbey's first abbot - Robert de St Martin - and there's some documentary evidence to back this up.

Robertsbridge Bonfire

The Bonfire Society in Robertsbridge has been going strong since 1895 (with more than a few hiccups along the way) but its torch now burns brightly, organising events throughout the year and playing a full part in East Sussex's bonfire celebrations.

Places of interest around Robertsbridge

Interesting places in and around Robertsbridge include:

• Salehurst where the exceptionally large parish church of St Mary's is situated;
• Robertsbridge Aviation Museum which contains a real mixed bag of interesting aviation memorabilia. The Museum is run by volunteers from the Robertsbridge Aviation Society;

Robertsbridge Codex

Robertsbridge gives its name to the Robertsbridge Codex - the oldest manuscript in existence carrying music for keyboards. The Codex is tucked up safely in the British Library, however.

More about Robertsbridge

Sir John Pelham, who captured the King of France at the Battle of Poitiers, is buried in the parish of Robertsbridge.

Robertsbridge cricket bats manufactured by Gray-Nicholls have smacked fours and sixes all over the world, with a who's who of cricketing greats using the Sussex batmakers' equipment over the years. The company started making bats in Robertsbridge in 1876. You can tell a Gray-Nicholls by the distinctive red stripe down the back of the bat.

Like so many places in East Sussex, Robertsbridge has endured flooding several times, although improved flood defence work will hopefully make life a little less wet in the future.

Robertsbridge travel notes

Robertsbridge railway station is in the centre of the village. And the A21 road runs just past the outskirts of Robertsbridge.

The nearest big town to Robertsbridge is Hastings.