# Frant

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Frant
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Frant.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frant
> Source revision: 1352145280
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Village and parish in East Sussex, England

Human settlement in England

Frant A view of Frant Frant Location within East Sussex Area 31.9 km2 (12.3 sq mi) [1] Population 1,645 (2011)[2] • Density 111/sq mi (43/km2) OS grid reference TQ590354 • London 33 miles (53 km) NNW District Wealden Shire county East Sussex Region South East 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 Sussex Weald Website http://www.frant.info/ List of places UK England East Sussex 51°05′46″N 0°16′16″E / 51.09611°N 0.27111°E / 51.09611; 0.27111

**Frant** is a village and [civil parish](/source/Civil_parish) in the [Wealden](/source/Wealden_District) District of [East Sussex](/source/East_Sussex), England, on the [Kentish](/source/Kent) border about three miles (5 km) south of [Royal Tunbridge Wells](/source/Royal_Tunbridge_Wells).

When the iron industry was at its height, much of the village was owned by ironmasters. [Smuggling](/source/Smuggling) occurred here in the 17th and 18th centuries, and one of the [turnpike roads](/source/Toll_road) (now the A267) came through here at that time.[3]

Frant church is dedicated to [St Alban](/source/St_Alban)[4] and there is a church school.[5] St Alban's Frant was a major surveying point for the [Anglo-French Survey (1784–1790)](/source/Anglo-French_Survey_(1784%E2%80%931790)) calculating the precise distance and relationship between the [Paris Observatory](/source/Paris_Observatory) and the [Royal Greenwich Observatory](/source/Royal_Greenwich_Observatory), undertaken by General [William Roy](/source/William_Roy).

There are three public houses in the parish: the Abergavenny Arms on the A267 in Frant, the George Inn in the High Street and the Brecknock Arms at Bells Yew Green. The George Inn plays host to the Sloe Gin World Championships each December, attracting entries from around the globe.[6]

Lieutenant-Colonel [John By](/source/John_By), the Royal Engineer who headed the [Rideau Canal](/source/Rideau_Canal) project in [Ottawa](/source/Ottawa), 1826–1832, is buried here. He was also the builder of [Bytown](/source/Bytown), which became Ottawa, the capital of Canada.

## History

Frant is an ancient village and some of its Victorian buildings (the old Frant Church of England Primary School and other High Street buildings) still stand. Although it was not mentioned in the [Domesday Book](/source/Domesday_Book) of 1086, a settlement certainly predates the [Norman Conquest](/source/Norman_Conquest); indeed, excavations in 1929 by [S. E. Winbolt](/source/S._E._Winbolt) uncovered pottery fragments and ironworkings that indicated the presence of a settlement dating back to 100 BC.[7] There is also evidence that a pre-Norman road, with military posts, ran from Frant to [Crowborough](/source/Crowborough).[8]

The first mention of an area within the parish was in 742, when the [Saxon](/source/Anglo-Saxons) chief [Æðelberht](/source/%C3%86thelbert_of_Sussex) granted the [manor](/source/Manorialism) of Ridrefelde (Rotherfield) and Ramslye to the Abbey of [St Denis](/source/Saint_Denis_of_Paris) in France; though part of [Royal Tunbridge Wells](/source/Royal_Tunbridge_Wells) today, Ramslye was at the time part of the parish of Frant.[8]

Broadwater Down was part of Frant parish until 1894, when it became part of Tunbridge Wells in Kent.[9]

The village was within the [Rape of Pevensey](/source/Rape_of_Pevensey) and the [hundred](/source/Hundred_(division)) of [Rotherfield](/source/Rotherfield).[10]

### Toponymy

From the 12th century onwards Frant appears in charters and records, in as diverse spellings as Fernet, Fernthe, Fernth, Ferthe, Ferring, Vernthe, Franthe, Fraunte, Feruthe, Frenthe and Fant; these variations notwithstanding, the [etymology](/source/Etymology) of the name has its roots in the [Anglo-Saxon](/source/Anglo-Saxon) meaning "place of the fern" or "place of the bracken", a reflection of the verdant countryside around the settlement.[7]

### Research institute

The [Wellcome Veterinary Research Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wellcome_Veterinary_Research_Station&action=edit&redlink=1) was established in the 1940s, and conducted important work during the war, for the Far East campaign. It made the vaccine for [Scrub typhus](/source/Scrub_typhus).

The site was 325 acres. It was set up by Sam Hignett,[11] who died in March 1994, aged 85.[12] It was on the Ely Grange Estate, owned by George Gee. George Gee (1888-1943) was managing director and chairman of the Derbyshire construction company [Gee, Walker & Slater Ltd](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gee,_Walker_%26_Slater_Ltd&action=edit&redlink=1). He died at [Little Horwood](/source/Little_Horwood) in Buckinghamshire on February 24 1943, aged 55. He was a millionaire. His company built the neighbouring [RAF Little Horwood](/source/RAF_Little_Horwood).[13][14][15] Wellcome bought the site in November 1943. [16]

Robert Francis Montgomerie (1898- December 14 1968)[17] was educated at [Rothesay Academy](/source/Rothesay_Academy), and was the head of veterinary research at Wellcome.[18] Wellcome sold the site in 1973, and it became a site for racing greyhound kennels. Research of Wellcome moved to the Cooper Research Station in [Dacorum](/source/Dacorum) in [Hertfordshire](/source/Hertfordshire).

## Governance

Frant is part of [Wealden District](/source/Wealden_District) and, along with [Withyham](/source/Withyham), makes up one of the District's 35 [wards](/source/Wards_of_the_United_Kingdom). The population of this ward (called Frant/Withyham) at the 2011 census was 5,274.[19] The ward contributes two of the District's 55 Councillors.[20]

The Member of Parliament for Wealden is the [Conservative](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK)) [Nus Ghani](/source/Nus_Ghani). She was elected in 2015 with a majority of 22,967.

## Geography

Frant is just inside the border of East Sussex with Kent, about three miles (5 km) south of Tunbridge Wells and 36 miles (58 km) south of London.

The village is at the northern edge of the [High Weald](/source/Weald), a ridge of hard [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) that runs across southern England from [Hampshire](/source/Hampshire) along the borders of [Surrey](/source/Surrey), West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent. The [River Teise](/source/River_Teise), a tributary of the [Medway](/source/River_Medway), runs through the parish.

There are a number of [Sites of Special Scientific Interest](/source/Site_of_Special_Scientific_Interest) within the parish. [Eridge Park](/source/Eridge_Park) is a site of biological interest, consisting of park and ancient woodland, hosting a wide variety of flora and fauna.[21] The site encloses the [National Trust](/source/National_Trust_for_Places_of_Historic_Interest_or_Natural_Beauty) reserve known as Nap Wood. [Eridge Green](/source/Eridge_Green) is an area of ancient woodland with outcrops of sandstone that hosts some unusual fauna.[22] Another site is [High Rocks](/source/High_Rocks), an area of geological interest due to the weathering patterns of the local sandstone.[23]

Path in Whitehill Wood, Eridge Park

Neighbouring towns, villages and places Langton Green (village) Royal Tunbridge Wells (town) Bells Yew Green (hamlet) Eridge (hamlet) Frant Bayham Abbey (ruined abbey) Crowborough (town) Mark Cross (village) Wadhurst (village)

## Demography

The population of Frant rose steadily from just under 1,100 in 1801 to a peak in 1891 of around 3,500.[24] The records show a marked drop to 1,692 in 1901, but this is due to the transfer of the Broadwater Down parish to Tunbridge Wells that took place in 1894.[10] Over the course of the 20th century the number of people living in the parish has declined slowly, and a 2007 estimate by [East Sussex County Council](/source/East_Sussex_County_Council) put the population of Frant at 1,367.[25]

Population of Frant[25][24][26] Year 1801 1811 1821 1831 1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 Population 1090 1439 1727 2071 2280 2447 2469 3263 3481 3565 Year 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 Population 1692 1671 1621 1604 ? 1513 1445 1403 ? ? Year 2001 2007 Population 1387 1367

## Transport

Frant is on the [A267](/source/A267_road), which runs south from Tunbridge Wells to [Hailsham](/source/Hailsham). The B2099, which branches off the A267 just south of the village, runs south east to Wadhurst.

The village is served by [Frant railway station](/source/Frant_railway_station) which is located on the [Hastings Line](/source/Hastings_Line) in the hamlet of Bells Yew Green, approximately 1.2 miles from the village. The station is served by hourly [Southeastern](/source/Southeastern_(train_operating_company)) services (half-hourly during the peak hours) between [Hastings](/source/Hastings_railway_station) and [London Charing Cross](/source/Charing_Cross_railway_station).[27]

The village is also served by the [Stagecoach South East](/source/Stagecoach_South_East) bus routes 51 and 254. These buses provide connections to [Tunbridge Wells](/source/Royal_Tunbridge_Wells), [Heathfield](/source/Heathfield%2C_East_Sussex) and [Hawkhurst](/source/Hawkhurst).[28]

## See also

[Listed buildings in Frant](/source/Listed_buildings_in_Frant)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ESiF_1-0)** ["East Sussex in Figures"](http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/). East Sussex County Council. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121228085807/http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/welcome.html) from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Civil Parish population 2011"](http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11123584&c=Frant&d=16&e=62&g=6421856&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1444401372506&enc=1). Retrieved 9 October 2015.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Frant history"](https://web.archive.org/web/20051215103546/http://thesussexweald.org/P5.asp?PId=5347Frant). Archived from [the original](http://thesussexweald.org/P5.asp?PId=5347Frant) on 15 December 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [St Albans church](https://web.archive.org/web/20070219092220/http://www.frant.info/church/albans1.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Frant Church of England Primary School - Home"](https://www.frantcep.e-sussex.sch.uk/esussex/primary/frant). *www.frantcep.e-sussex.sch.uk*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230609180102/https://www.frantcep.e-sussex.sch.uk/esussex/primary/frant) from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Sloe Ginster World Championships: Makers compete for title"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-35104674). *BBC News*. 16 December 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181026002807/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-35104674) from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Eeles_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Eeles_7-1) Eeles, Henry S. (1947). [*Frant – A Parish History*](http://theweald.org/bk.asp?BookId=eeles018). Tunbridge Wells: Courier Co., Ltd.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pearce_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pearce_8-1) Pearce, Luke (1912). [*Historical Associations of Frant*](http://www.thesussexweald.org/bk.asp?BookId=frant12004&Xid=A&xnm=1). Tunbridge Wells: Pearce & Co. p. 4. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231110004715/https://thesussexweald.org/) from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Vision of Britain"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170807074031/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10098270). Archived from [the original](http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10098270) on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Weald_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Weald_10-1) ["Frant"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080826104742/http://theweald.org/P5.asp?PId=PSx.Ft). The Weald. 15 July 2008. Archived from [the original](http://theweald.org/P5.asp?PId=PSx.Ft) on 26 August 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *Times* Saturday March 19 1994, page 21

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** *Shropshire Star* Tuesday 29 March 1994, page 33

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** *Derby Evening Telegraph* Wednesday 24 February 1943, page 8

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** *Kent & Sussex Courier* Friday 26 February 1943, page 5

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** *Buckinghamshire Advertiser* Saturday 27 February 1943, page 4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** *Birmingham Daily Post* Monday 29 November 1943, page 2

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Robert Francis Montgomerie](https://www.clark-debisschop.co.uk/tng/getperson.php?personID=I2506&tree=Clark)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** *The Scotsman* Tuesday 17 December 1968, page 6

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Frant/Withyham ward population 2011"](http://www.ukcensusdata.com/frantwithyham-e05003999#sthash.NF7qrS0O.Bz8B3SLi.dpbs). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041004/http://www.ukcensusdata.com/frantwithyham-e05003999#sthash.NF7qrS0O.Bz8B3SLi.dpbs) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Wealden_Council_20-0)** ["Your Councillors"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090525070731/http://www.wealden.gov.uk/moderngov/mgMemberIndex.asp?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0). Wealden District Council. Archived from [the original](http://www.wealden.gov.uk/moderngov/mgMemberIndex.asp?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0) on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Natural England – SSSI (Eridge Park)"](http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1003196). English Nature. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110525080034/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1003196) from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Natural England – SSSI (Eridge Green)"](http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002853). English Nature. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110525080046/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002853) from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Natural England – SSSI (High Rocks)"](http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002928). English Nature. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110525080013/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002928) from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Histpop_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Histpop_24-1) ["Frant CP/AP: Total Population"](http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10098397&c_id=10001043&add=N). *Great Britain Historical GIS Project*. University of Portsmouth. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121022203936/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10098397&c_id=10001043&add=N) from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Currentpop_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Currentpop_25-1) ["Population and households profile for Frant (parish) – Wealden"](http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/velocity?catalog=http%3A%2F%2F10.128.25.249%3A80%2Fobj%2FfCatalog%2FCatalog153&areaname=frant&areatype=PA&mode=area&submode=replay&geoid=21UH016). *East Sussex in Figures*. East Sussex County Council. 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231110004725/https://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/velocity?catalog=http%3A%2F%2F10.128.25.249%3A80%2Fobj%2FfCatalog%2FCatalog153&areaname=frant&areatype=PA&mode=area&submode=replay&geoid=21UH016) from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2001pop_26-0)** Wealden District Council Policy and Review team. ["Population and Demographic Data for Wealden"](http://www.wealdencommunitystrategy.co.uk/LDF_Toolkit/KnowYourArea/Demographic%20Information.pdf) (PDF). Wealden District Council. Retrieved 29 August 2008. {{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: |author= has generic name ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#generic_name))[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Frant railway station information"](https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/more-travel-help/station-information/stations/frant). *[Southeastern](/source/Southeastern_(train_operating_company))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211116204353/https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/more-travel-help/station-information/stations/frant) from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Tunbridge Wells bus services"](https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/south-east/tunbridge-wells). *[Stagecoach South East](/source/Stagecoach_South_East)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211116182836/https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/south-east/tunbridge-wells) from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.

## External links

- Media related to [Frant](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Frant) at Wikimedia Commons

v t e Towns, villages and hamlets in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England Alciston Alfriston Arlington Berwick Best Beech Hill Birling Gap Blackboys Blackham Bodle Street Green Boreham Street Broad Oak Burlow Buxted Chalvington Chelwood Gate Chiddingly Coleman's Hatch Cooper's Green Cousley Wood Cowbeech Cross-in-Hand Crowborough Danehill Duddleswell East Dean East Hoathly Eridge Green Etchingwood Exceat Fairwarp Five Ash Down Five Ashes Fletching Folkington Forest Row Framfield Frant Friston Furner's Green Golden Cross Groombridge Gun Hill Hadlow Down Hailsham Halland Hammerwood Hankham Hartfield Heathfield Hellingly Heron's Ghyll Herstmonceux High Hurstwood Holtye Hooe Hooe Common Horam Horney Common Isfield Jarvis Brook Jevington Laughton Litlington Little Horsted Little London Lower Dicker Lower Horsebridge Lullington Magham Down Maresfield Mark Cross Mayfield Maynard's Green Milton Street Muddles Green Ninfield Nutley Old Heathfield Pevensey Pevensey Bay Polegate Poundgate Punnett's Town Rickney Ripe Roser's Cross Rotherfield Rushlake Green Selmeston Sparrow's Green Stone Cross Stunts Green Tidebrook Three Cups Corner Uckfield Upper Dicker Upper Hartfield Vines Cross Wadhurst Waldron Warbleton Wartling Westdean Westham Whitesmith Willingdon Wilmington Windmill Hill Winton Withyham Wych Cross

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Frant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frant) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frant?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.