Hawkhurst Estate Agents

Hawkhurst is a village located in the borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent about 12 miles south-east of Tunbridge and close to the border with East Sussex.
Situated within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hawkhurst nestles within a landscape of ridges and gentle valleys between the North and South Downs.
Hawkhurst is a village of two parts. The Moor to the south is populated with pretty cottages all edging a large village green. Highgate to the north has a range of independent shops, several pubs, a cinema and two supermarkets.
The name Hawkhurst was once synonymous with violent crime due to the infamous Hawkhurst Gang of Smugglers who were active in the 1700s. Hawkhurst now forms part of the Smugglers Trail which runs from Goudhurst down to the Sussex coast. Home to the famous poet and author of the 'Jungle Book', Rudyard Kipling, even he captured the terror of the smugglers' reign in verse.
Famous for other more lawful reasons, Hawkhurst was home to Charles Gunther who invented the Oxo cube and Sir John Herschel, astronomer, chemist and experimental photographer who died in the 1870s.

Property Types in Hawkhurst

There are four designated conservation areas in Hawkhurst, one at Sawyers Green, two in Highgate and one at The Moor. There are over 200 listed buildings across the village and a vast range of property styles to tempt all buyers.
Period homes of all sizes abound, and virtually every era of property building is represented somewhere in the village, from timbered manor houses through to Victorian cottages, Arts and Crafts villas and cosy cottages right up to the present day. There are also dedicated retirement and age-specific complexes and small tasteful new builds.
Properties in Hawkhurst have an overall average price of £415,410* over the last year. The majority of sales in the previous twelve months were terraced homes reaching an average of £262,571. Detached properties sold for an average of £740,500 with semi-detached properties reaching £345,194. Overall, prices in Hawkhurst were 15% down on the previous year and 8% down on the 2017 peak of £449,692. The average monthly rental in Hawkhurst is £1,100**

Demographics in Hawkhurst

Hawkhurst has a population of slightly over 4,000.*** Just over half are between 18 and 64 with around 1,000 over 65 years old. Hawkhurst is a popular location to retire to as it is attractive and relatively self-contained. However, it is a thriving village with its primary school and a good mix of ages, creating a strong and active community.

Schools and Colleges in Hawkhurst

Hawkhurst has one primary school, Hawkhurst Church of England Primary School which is rated ‘Good’ by OFSTED. There are several other primary schools within a four-mile radius of Hawkhurst at Sandhurst, Etchingham and Bodiam.
Secondary education is well provided for with The High Weald Academy at Cranbrook which is under five miles away. The private sector is represented by Marlborough House Prep School and Benenden School also in Cranbrook.

Local Attractions near Hawkhurst

Hawkhurst is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and a 'must-see’ is Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. With three walking and three cycling trails, you will be spoilt for choice in this 2,000-acre area. The Pinetum has over 12,000 trees and makes a beautiful picnic stop, and there is a Planthunter themed play area for children plus a Go Ape course for the really adventurous.
Bodiam Castle located at Robertsbridge, four miles from Hawkhurst, is a picturesque ancient monument. This 14th-century fortress has everything no real castle should be without, battlements, a wooden portcullis and spiral staircases, there is even a moat. Costumed characters bring this piece of medieval history to life.
Bewl Water is the largest body of inland water in the south-east of England. It has a perimeter of 17 miles and sits within the High Weald AONB. With fabulous attractions for children, a waterside restaurant and endless walking and cycling routes, this peaceful haven is a popular destination all year round always with something to see and plenty of quiet spots to escape to.

Shopping Facilities and Leisure in Hawkhurst

Hawkhurst’s pretty colonnaded shops are nearly two hundred years old, and complete with their hanging baskets give a quaint and ‘olde worlde’ charm. Take your pick from boutiques, gift shops, interiors and crafts, there is even a local barber’s shop.
Hawkhurst has two supermarkets and a pharmacy in the colonnade and is self-contained with Tunbridge Wells 15 miles away and Cranbrook just four miles away for anything else.
Hawkhurst is home to the UK’s first digital cinema, the boutique Kino Digital Cinema, where you can relax with a drink and catch a movie in the historic Victoria Hall.
For a round of golf or two, there are three golf clubs nearby, Hawkhurst which also offers squash, Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club and a little further away is Rye Golf Club.

Pubs and Restaurants in Hawkhurst

Hawkhurst has several fine country pubs and restaurants including The Royal Oak and The Queen’s Inn. Try The Great House with exposed beams and lovely food served in a new orangery or the Eight Bells up on The Moor, a traditional tile-hung pub with a fine selection of wines and ales.
The area surrounding Hawkhurst is celebrated for its excellent dining with no shortage of charming country pubs and restaurants and most farm shops offering cafe facilities - where better to try the produce?
Upcoming Developments in Hawkhurst

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hawkhurst has four conservation areas and is vigorously protected from large developments. There are small pockets of tasteful new housing from housebuilders like McCarthy Stone who cater to retirement-aged buyers. Bellway has recently built a new development of mixed properties in a traditional style to appeal to professional purchasers and families.

Travel Connections from Hawkhurst

Just five miles from Hawkhurst is Etchingham Station which offers regular services to London Charing Cross via Tunbridge Wells which takes just over an hour and also to Hastings. There is a bus service network that covers the local area, and it’s under 15 miles to the South Coast.
Gatwick Airport is 47 miles away and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone just over 36 miles.

Wyatt Hughes are your local area property experts. Please contact us for more information and advice.

*https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/hawkhurst.html
**https://www.home.co.uk/for_rent/tonbridge/current_rents?location=tonbridge
***http://citypopulation.de/en/uk/southeastengland/kent/E34004276__hawkhurst/