A265
A265 | ||||||||||||||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||||||||||||||
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From: | Hurst Green (TQ732273) | |||||||||||||||
To: | Heathfield (TQ570219) | |||||||||||||||
Distance: | 11.3 miles (18.2 km) | |||||||||||||||
Meets: | A21, A267 | |||||||||||||||
Old route now: | A229, B2102, B2192 | |||||||||||||||
Highway Authorities | ||||||||||||||||
Traditional Counties | ||||||||||||||||
Route outline (key) | ||||||||||||||||
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Route
The A265 is a rural A-road in east Sussex, cut back at both ends from in its heyday.
Its route used to start in Hawkhurst and, even further back, it used to run all the way to Lewes. One could argue that its present trimmed-back form may as well be redesignated as the end of the A272. It is nevertheless a pretty route.
Hurst Green - Heathfield
Leaving the A21 at a T-junction, the road leaves the village of Hurst Green and winds furiously through the trees as it descends to the level crossing beside Etchingham Station. Beyond this, we climb through the main street of the small village of the same name. The road runs along a ridge of hills for the rest of its duration, with great views of the rolling Weald on either side. The road is generally tree-lined and fairly straight, although the width can make overtaking a little hair-raising! Burwash manages to bend the road sharply, luring it into its pretty High Street. A little further is Burwash Weald, which only merits a 50mph limit.
Approaching Heathfield, you will observe the television mast, located here due to the height advantage. We descend in a straight line right through the town centre. Having passed a single pub at the outskirts, it is almost surreal not to pass another alehouse right the way through the town's ample High Street. Soon we out of the other side and before you know it, you are on the A267 courtesy of a TOTSO.
Original Author(s): Adam Colton
History
The original start in Hawkhurst moved when the A229 was re-routed to meet the A21 at Hurst Green instead of its former route towards Sedlescombe.
The western end used to run on the B2102 to Blackboys and then on the B2192 all the way down to the A26 on the northern fringes of Lewes, terminating the (former) A273 near Ringmer. This section was downgraded in the 1960s.