Perhaps it is a visitor’s mistake to treat the three separate locations of Guestling Green, Guestling and Guestling Thorn as one entity, but arriving for the first time it can be difficult to distinguish absolutely between the three.
All located along the busy A259, and too easy to motor through without consideration, the trio of settlings that we shall call “Guestling” make up a place that needs a little extra effort in order to uncover its secrets.
The junction of Chapel Lane to the south is most certainly Guestling Green, marked by a few cottages – including a wonderful thatched example. There used to be a pub here, and indeed the building still rather mournfully bears a sign reading “The Hope”, but that hope was extinguished at one point and it is now permanently closed.
Residents now have the choice of heading further south still to the White Hart, a Beefeater than is more suited to families on day trips to the coast, or heading instead to the eccentric Three Oaks Pub in nearby Three Oaks.
North of Guesting Green you pass the large primary school before reaching the isolated village hall. However, taking this opportunity to turn down Church Lane you are led to Guestling’s place of worship – St Laurence’s. Although generally closed unless there is a service (every Sunday morning) the graveyard is well worth a wander and it is also where a trio of popular footpaths set of to a number of destinations useful and attractive destinations.
One of these is Guestling Wood, managed by the Woodland Trust. Containing its own network of rides and paths, the wood has received special funding over the past fifteen years to develop a diverse environment which has subsequently attracted a wide range of wildlife. A favourite sanctuary amongst local residents, it is well worth seeking out for yourself.
Guestling is also home to Buckswood School, a sprawling country manor which every summer is transformed into the much-revered Buckswood Overseas Summer School (BOSS), a place for students from all over the world to come and learn not only the English language but the UK’s culture, too.
It is therefore worth considering that despite the trio of Guesting Green, Guestling and Guestling Thorn being places most might simply drive through, for thousands of people from all corners of the globe it is a place where BOSS ask them “Every summer has a story. What will yours be?,” and will remain their introduction to Britain.
Built in 1742, the elegant Georgian Town Hall in Rye is an ideal venue for your special day. A unique … more
Listed in: Town Halls
, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Downs Farm Community Centre, Ore
Category: Courses / Classes / Workshops
Hi we were wardens at this hostel from 1971 to 1975 and both of our children were born in Hastings … more
I don’t know how to start this so I will just give the facts. I am looking for my adopted … more
In the churchyard stands the memorial to the men of Rye Harbour who died when the Mary Stanford lifeboat sank in 1928. Services at Rye Harbour Church are usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 5pm for Evening … more
Pett Level beach is characterised by its pebble shoreline, which is typical of most beaches along the coast. One of the notable features of Pett Level is its exposure of prehistoric submerged forest remains during low tides. Ancient tree stumps … more
A cosy 2 bedroomed cottage in Rye Harbour. Offers Lounge, kitchen/dining room, shower room downstairs, with one double bedroom + one twin room upstairs. Well situated to access local places of interest and close to the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. … more
Enjoy stylish, romantic beamed surroundings in the heart of the historic walled Citadel of Medieval Rye. This unusual, converted Grade II listed two-storey apartment retains original features including an open log fire, original wooden floors & beams dating back to … more
Less than 2 miles from Rye and 5 miles from the English Channel, Kings Head Inn features a bar, restaurant and a garden.
A traditional but modern country inn located in the heart of Rye, just a couple of miles from the coast. Specialises in using fresh and local produce to create good innovative home cooked food from Field Farm Sea and offer … more
One of England’s oldest and loveliest inns, with Norman cellars dating from 1156, the Mermaid, rebuilt in 1420, offers tradition and charm in abundance. A jewel in the crown of Rye, the inn has a wide range of accommodation including … more