Having been born and raised in Hurstpierpoint, I cannot deny the picturesque village its beauty. From the outside, this may be the most obvious observation to make, but this is not all that makes Hurst a home.
‘Welly walks’ are one of my core memories. Usually spontaneous, my Nan, Great Nan, and Mum would round up my siblings and me for a village venture. We’d make our way through a tight footpath, leading to a bridge, and eventually find ourselves standing in woodlands covered in bluebells. I recall walking, running, and hiding throughout the woods, climbing trees that felt like they were the same height as houses. I would have considered myself a professional tree climber, but trees were taller when I was small. No doubt, we would come across other residents on these walks—always friendly, kind, and happy to see a family spend time with one another. If you walk through Hurstpierpoint, expect to be greeted. This may be my favourite aspect of the village community: the shared value of courtesy.
Living on the same street as my Great Nanny Patch was a huge privilege. Each morning after breakfast, before school, I would insist on going to see her. There was a reason for my persistence—the second breakfast she would always make me! My mother had to continue to reassure her that I had already eaten, but my Nan was a beautiful soul who would do anything for her Great-Grandchildren.
I spent the majority of my summer holidays and half-terms with my Nanny Max. We would catch the 33 bus from the bottom of the village, rarely having a plan but always ready for a spur-of-the-moment adventure. Shopping in local towns and cities was what we were good at, and I was always being spoiled by her. We explored the various cycle and walk routes that Hurstpierpoint had to offer, including the paths that would lead to the face of Wolstonbury, which continues to be a family favourite.
As a child, Fridays were my favourite day of the week, or as my mum called them, ‘treat days.’ The excitement of leaving school, knowing you were heading to Jantons, the local sweet shop, for your weekly dose of sugar, brought joy to us all. As I have grown up, my ‘treat day’ has been renamed ‘pay day.’ I still experience the same level of excitement to shop in Hurstpierpoint’s deli, bakery, and butchers that I did to shop at Jantons. The personalized experience you receive from businesses within the village further represents the community spirit that exists here.
Hurstpierpoint is more than just a picturesque village—it’s a collection of cherished memories, the people who make up our community, and the shared experiences that tie us all together.
Have you ever done a ‘Welly Walk’?
0%Yes
0%No
0%Planning to now
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