Squatters and Chapels

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The Sussex iron industry, which had been a technological marvel in the late 1400s, was obsolete by the 1700s. At Ironbridge in Shropshire, iron was made successfully using coal rather than charcoal in 1709, leading to the transfer of the industry to the areas of the country where coal was available. The ironmasters may have moved to follow the work, but the substantial workforce could not and were forced to move to shanty settlements which grew up on former commons as people tried to scratch a living from the poor local soil. As time went on these settlements acquired their own chapels, independent from the established church.

Route Details 

LENGTH – 4 miles

TIME – 2.5 hours

START – Village Green, Marklye Lane, Rushlake Green, TN21 9QD, NGR 627 184.

PARKING – On street parking around village green.

TOILETS – No public toilets available. 

REFRESHMENTS –Pubs at Rushlake Green and Warbleton (½ mile off route). Village shop at Rushlake Green.  

CAUTION – Uneven ground in some parts of the walk.

This walk contains stiles.

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caution

Caution

cafe

Cafe

carpark

Car park

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Gradient

Picnic bench

Picnic area

pub

Pub

shop

Shop

start

Start point

wc

Toilet