Conservation Areas

There are 2 Conservation Areas in the Parish

The first is West Hoathly Village and extends from the cricket ground in Hook Lane along North Lane past the school to the junction with The Hollow. It also includes Chapel Row and the village end of Church Hill.

The southern part of West Hoathly was designated a Conservation Area in December 1972. This includes the area commonly known as Queen's Square based on St Margaret's Church, a Grade I Listed Building believed to have Norman origins, around which the village initially grew. Many of the Listed Buildings in the village date from the 14th to 16th centuries although West Hoathly is reputed to date from the 11th century. The Conservation Area includes such buildings as the Priest House dating from 1450 and the Cat Inn already known as the Ale House in 1615. North Lane is generally of more recent development and features tile hanging, horizontal boarding with roof slates or clay tiles varying in age from the 15th century to the Victorian era.

The following features contribute to the particular character of the Conservation Area:

• the lack of building line and pavement in North Lane which creates a semi rural feel;
• the age and variety of buildings, a number of which are Listed Buildings;
• the grass banks, groups of trees and ornamental hedges particularly those around the Manor House and Priest House;
• the views of St Margaret's Church spire;
• the unusual terraced churchyard with its magnificent views; and
• the extensive views of the countryside from the bowling and cricket green

Highbrook was designated a Conservation Area in 1990. At the northern end of Highbrook lies All Saints Church, built in 1884 in the Gothic revival style. There are a number of other listed buildings in the settlement including Battens, which is believed to date back to the late 13th or early 14th centuries.