Milepost at Horse Bridge on the north side of the A271
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1408222
- Date first listed:
- 28-Mar-2012
- List Entry Name:
- Milepost at Horse Bridge on the north side of the A271
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Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1408222
- Date first listed:
- 28-Mar-2012
- List Entry Name:
- Milepost at Horse Bridge on the north side of the A271
- Location Description:
- Roadside verge on the north side of the A271 at the western edge of Horse Bridge.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- East Sussex
- District:
- Wealden (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Hellingly
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ5790811324
Summary
Milepost, circa 1754 for the Union Point to Hailsham Turnpike Trust.
Reasons for Designation
The cast iron milepost at Horse Bridge is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Design value: an unusually elaborate and visual design with bow and bells showing the distance from the church of St Mary-le-Bow in London;
* Early Date: an early example of a cast iron mile post; most survivals being C19 in date;
* Degree of survival: survives intact;
* Authenticity: shown in the same position on the 1875 Ordnance Survey map;
* Group value: one of a series of almost identical mile posts built for this turnpike trust, other examples of which have been listed elsewhere.
History
This is one of a series of mileposts erected by the Union Point to Hailsham Turnpike Trust circa 1754 between Hailsham and East Grinstead which shows the distance to St Mary-le-Bow Church in London. It is shown on the 1875 Ordnance Survey map in the same position.
These mile posts are known as 'rebus' or puzzle mile posts because of their visual reference to Bow Church, all having the relief of a bow with a string of bells dangling from it. This example has the figure 54 above the bow, the distance in mileage to Bow church, and above that is a relief of a buckle representing the Pelham family, prominent local landowners. The buckle represents the king's belt buckle, given to Sir John Pelham as a badge of honour following the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 when he and Sir Roger de la Warr captured John II King of France. Only the mile posts between 44 and 54 miles have this buckle.
Details
MATERIALS: wood with attached cast iron front.
DESCRIPTION: gabled wooden post 100 cm high, 30 cm wide and 15 cm deep with attached gabled cast iron plate depicting the buckle of the Pelham family at the top, the figure 54 below it, representing the number of miles between the mile post and St Mary-le-Bow Church, London followed sequentially by a stylised bow and five stylised bells. The background is painted white and all relief elements are painted black.
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 26-Jun-2026 at 00:55:06.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.