Welcome to our village. First you'll want to learn to pronounce Horsted Keynes properly so that the locals don't give you a funny look (or shoot you ;-)when you say Horsted Keenes! The correct way to say Horsted Kaynes is with an a as in say. The reason for this is because the village is named after a Frenchman who was given the land after that unpleasantness at Hastings in 1066. You can read about him here and of the area of his descendants in our twin village here.

You may only know of Horsted Keynes from The Bluebell Railway but there have been people living here for well over 1000 years. In fact St. Giles Church sits in the centre of a Dolman circle which some say has been here since pre-historic times. We would welcome a visit from the Channel 4 "Time Team" to find out more! Here is an ideal place for the Time Team crew to start digging. Just on the edge of the school playground is this ancient trackway unused for centuries.

If you want something to eat when you visit our village then there are two pubs  one either side of the village green, both serve food and coffee. There is also a British Legion Club just by the Post Office where members only can enjoy a drink or a game of snooker. With more time to spare there are a number of places to stay for a few days in our local accommodation guide.

We must be one of very few villages left in Sussex with both a Post Office and a garage on the village green. The Post Office has been saved from closure by local people buying it out. At the Crown Garage Dick can mend all makes of vehicle and supply you with petrol too.

Our village still has three churches with two still in full time use. The Parish Church of St. Giles is at the end of a lovely winding lane near the school, and St. Stephens Catholic Church is in Hamsland on the other side of the village. Finally, if you are in need of spiritual guidance do not go to the chapel on the green. Despite still having a sign listing its services this is now a beautifully converted private house!

A view from one end of the village green in July 2002. There is a shop, two pubs, a garage, and a Post Office all leading straight onto the green. In the immediate area are a British Legion Club, a playing field, the village cricket ground and tennis courts, with the church, school, and village hall a few yards away. Not bad for a small village!
(Return to top of page)