Introduction

Ashburnham Place lies deep in the High Weald near Battle, once home to one of Sussex’s oldest landed families. By mid-October the trees here turn gold and amber, and walking the lakeside paths offers a glimpse of both natural beauty and a long English lineage.

Watch the short video below:

A calm autumn morning among Capability Brown’s sweeping parkland and St Peter’s Church.

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The Ashburnham Legacy

The Ashburnham family took their name from the nearby village and rose to prominence through loyalty to the Crown and ownership of vast Sussex lands. John Ashburnham (1603–1671) served King Charles I during the Civil War and was later rewarded by Charles II, cementing the family’s wealth and influence.

Their estates extended across Sussex and into London, where the name still survives in Ashburnham Road and the Ashburnham Mansion Block in Chelsea.

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The Lost House

The grand mansion at Ashburnham Place once stood as one of the county’s finest houses. Most of it was demolished in the 1950s, leaving only the west wing—now called the Coachman’s House.

The surrounding park was landscaped in the 18th century by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, with the Broad Water lake as its centrepiece.

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Church and Landscape

Beside the lake stands St Peter’s Church, resting place of generations of the Ashburnham family. Inside are marble memorials and heraldic tablets that trace the family’s reach from medieval times to the 19th century. The church and lake remain the quiet heart of the estate, framed by autumn colours and Brown’s designed vistas.

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A Landed Family in Decline

Like many great estates, Ashburnham’s fortunes faded as agricultural income fell. Heavy maintenance costs and post-war taxes forced the sale and demolition of much of the house. The remaining property became a Christian retreat centre, preserving part of the grounds for public enjoyment.

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Practical Info

Location: Near Battle, East Sussex, on the High Weald. There is free parking and the Orangey café. No dog walking.
Access: Public footpaths lead around Broad Water and St Peter’s Church.
Best Time to Visit: Mid- to late autumn for colour, or spring for reflections on the lake.

Nearby: Battle Abbey – site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings; Penhurst Church – quiet Wealden village with medieval features; Bateman’s – Rudyard Kipling’s former home at Burwash.