Arlington, East Sussex

Coordinates: 50°50′N 0°11′E / 50.84°N 0.19°E / 50.84; 0.19

Arlington
Arlington Reservoir
Arlington  Arlington shown within East Sussex
Area	18.4 km2 (7.1 sq mi) [1]
Population	490  (2007) [1]
- Density	27 /km2 (70 /sq mi)
OS grid reference	TQ543072
- London	47 miles (76 km) NNW
District	Wealden
Shire county	East Sussex
Region	South East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	POLEGATE, HAILSHAM
Postcode district	BN26, BN27
Dialling code	01323
Police	Sussex
Fire	East Sussex
Ambulance	South East Coast
European Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Lewes
Website: http://www.arlington-parish-council.org.uk/
List of places: UK • England • East Sussex

Arlington is a village and civil parish ^[2] in the Wealden district of East Sussex. The parish is on the River Cuckmere, and is the location for a medieval priory, a reservoir and car racetrack.

History

The area has been settled since Anglo-Saxon times. The wooden church in Arlington built by them, having been destroyed by invaders, was later rebuilt, utilising bricks from the nearby Roman road; it was enlarged in the 13th century.^[3] Michelham Priory, at Upper Dicker, was founded by the Augustinians in 1229; today it is a tourist site.

Geography

Arlington village stands above the left bank of the River Cuckmere. The parish includes the two villages of Arlington and Upper Dicker. It is on a minor road leading north from the A27 road between Polegate and Lewes, and near Berwick railway station on the East Coastway Line. The village of Upper Dicker, the site of a medieval trade centre (Dicker = barter), is on the river, 1½ miles (2.4 km) to the north.

Arlington Reservoir, on the opposite side of the river, was opened in 1971, and supplies water to the local area, including Eastbourne. It is situated at the foot of the South Downs and is an award-winning conservation site,^[4] being both a local nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is an important site for bird life, with up to 170 species breeding in the area and 10,000 migrating birds using it each year ^[5] and is popular with walkers, and for horse riders and anglers.

Another SSSI within the parish is Lower Dicker, a disused quarry and an important site for the study of the palaeogeography of the Weald. Its geology of sand and sandstone indicating ancient river flows in the area.^[6]

Amenities

There are two village halls in the parish, at Arlington and Upper Dicker. That at Arlington holds a weekly Art Club and a village market. There are three public houses: The Yew Tree Inn situated near the church; The Old Oak Inn in Caneheath, a hamlet to the east of Arlington; and The Plough Inn at Upper Dicker. Education is provided at Park Mead Infants School; and at St Bede's Independent Boarding School, Upper Dicker. The post office at Upper Dicker (first mentioned in 1852, when a type of postmark known as an undated circle was issued), was closed in 2008.^[7]

Religion

Arlington parish church is dedicated to St Pancras.^[8] The church at Upper Dicker is dedicated to the Holy Trinity.^[9]

Raceway

Arlington Stadium, near Michelham Priory, used regularly in the summer for race meets. Usually of stock cars, "bangers" and motorbikes. The stadium is the home of speedway team the Eastbourne Eagles.^[10]

References