Blackham
Blackham is a village in the Wealden district of East Sussex. It lies within the Withyham civil parish. Its nearest town is Royal Tunbridge Wells, which lies approximately 5.3 miles (8.5 km) east from the village. The village is situated on the East Sussex-Kent border.
| Blackham | |
|---|---|
 Sussex Oak Public House, Blackham | |
  Blackham Location within East Sussex | |
| OS grid reference | TQ4993339506 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TUNBRIDGE WELLS |
| Postcode district | TN3 |
| Dialling code | 01892 |
| Police | Sussex |
| Fire | East Sussex |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| UK Parliament | |
The name Blackham (Black Hamlet) comes from the village being known as the resting place for smugglers returning from the coast with their booty as it was exactly one day's ride from Dover. At the time, it was described as a 'den of iniquity' due to the raucous and often violent behaviour of the smugglers.
Hever Castle (the childhood home of Anne Boleyn), Penshurst Place and Bolebroke Castle, all regularly frequented by Henry VIII are all within 4 miles of Blackham as is the village of Hartfield - the home of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, and the actual "Pooh Bridge" location in Ashdown Forest where people still play poohsticks.