Ashburnham

Ashburnham is so named for the country house Ashburnham Place whose name derived from a local stream named the Ashbourne. Ashburnham Place has since been turned into a Christian conference and prayer centre offering a restful retreat and the chance to connect with people from a variety of different walks of life. It rests in a beautiful setting of 220 acres of grounds and gardens with three lakes, greatly enhancing its soothing, restful nature.

In the 1600s John Ashburnham served King Charles I as his Groom of the Bedchamber and when the King was executed in 1649 he brought some of the clothes worn by the late King back to his country home in Ashburnham. The relics resided for a time in the village’s 14th century parish church, St Peters, as it was believed that the clothes would impart healing properties to anyone that touched them. They have since been moved back to Ashburnham Place where they can still be seen today.

Ashburnham has a stunning park spread over 249 acres which contains an ancient woodland and a medieval deer park, a lovely spot to go for a walk.  It was also home to the musician Tate Arguile, guitarist for Bexhill band Mumm-Ra until 2006.