Tarring Neville


Seven cottages, two farms and a church with a total population (at the last count) of 27. Hardly big enough to be classified as a hamlet but a delight for those seeking peace and quiet. It is quite an occasion when a summertime artist sets up an easel here to capture the old buildings and downland beyond.

There used to be many more houses here and the depopulation has been put down to the Black Death, though at the end of the last century there were at least 80 inhabitants.

It is the only village in East Sussex with a truly double-barrelled name, thought to be some ancient connection with the Nevill family with lands and property throughout the county. Its relative proximity to the sea must account for the fact that the church has an iron chest from one of the ships in the Spanish Armada.