Our village, its people, its heritage and its community

Peasmarsh parish lies 3 miles north west of Rye, on the A268 and stretches south from the border between Kent and East Sussex along the River Rother, to the River Tillingham which forms the southern boundary of the parish. The whole parish lies within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is in the administrative district of Rother and the county of East Sussex. Much of the the land between the two river valleys is typical of Wealden countryside having an abundance of small woods and pasture with some remaining orchards, drained by streams. The rest of the eastern boundary is defined by an extension of the Tillingham flood plain which separates Rye Foreign from Peasmarsh. Larger woods define the western boundary forming a clear separation  from the neighbouring village of Beckley.

The church lies separate from the village to the south. It is sited on one of the only two areas in the parish to rise above 65metres. It commands views over both river valleys which share their origins with Romney Marsh, east of Rye. Peasmarsh, known before the Conquest as Tetbald, began as a settlement around an Anglo Saxon Minster situated where the present church now stands, although evidence has recently come to light of Roman activity on the site suggesting much earlier occupation. Shortly after the new church was built in 1070 the village the village appears in a census and survey of land for tax purposes ordered by King William. I formed part of land already already in the ownership of William, Peasmarsh was a net receiver of taxes rather than a contributor, unlike villages listed in the Domesday Book. The reason for the village subsequently moving to its present site is unclear but a serious outbreak of plague in the 14th century may have been the cause.

There are 54 buildings in the parish listed by English Heritage, all grade 2 with the exception of the parish church of St peter and St Paul which is grade 1 listed, and Woodside and Flackley Ash House which are grade 2*

Peasmarsh has a thriving community with a population of 1,191 in 504 households (2011 census). The village benefits from a primary school, three pubs, a country hotel and an independent supermarket and petrol station.

The modern village has a Memorial Hall for community events and clubs, a playground, sports field and pavilion, a skate ramp, and allotments. Clubs and community groups include Hands of Hope Community Lunches, yoga, film club, football, and more.

Historical and geographical information source: Peasmarsh Parish Plan 2006