A brief history of Warninglid Village
Warninglid is a small village located in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. The village has a rich history dating back to the medieval period. It has had many changes of name going from Warlinglithe in the 1300s to Warnyngled in the 1400s, and through the next five centuries gradually changing to Warninglid.
The name Warlinglithe is believed to have come from the Old English words "warling" which means "a little stream" and "lithe" which means "a slope". This is a reference to the sloping land of the High Weald on which the village is built and the nearby stream, Iron Gill, which is one of the sources of the Arun River. Another theory is that it derives from WernaGelad, Werna being a Saxon leader and Gelad meaning road or path. When the village sign was being planned, it was this latter name that was accepted. Warninglid was the first village in Mid Sussex to have a Conservation Area.
In the 19th century, the village of Warninglid began to grow and prosper as new businesses and industries were established in the area. The opening of the Croydon to Haywards Heath railway line on 12th July 1841 brought increased trade and commerce to the village, with new shops, a pub, and other businesses opening up to cater to the needs of the local population. The railway also brought new residents to the area, including many wealthy families who built large country estates in the village and surrounding countryside. The postal service also came from Haywards Heath, by foot, until a generous village benefactor presented the postman with a pony and cart for his delivery rounds.
Img: This is the first hand-coloured photo of Warninglid showing Plumtree Cottages (now Nos 5 and 6) on the right and Polestupps delivery cart.
The village was home to the church of St Andrew, which was dedicated and had its first service on 30th November 1935 with much ado but there was no heating or electricity till 1938! The land was donated by Major Lister of Warninglid Grange and his sister started the fundraising with a £300 donation. The altar, pews, pulpit, font and bell were all donated by residents of the village. The stained glass windows were also donated by the Listers and at the time were some of the finest examples of modern stained glass in the south of England. The front triple stained glass windows were added later by Hollingbury School as a memorial to their 8 fallen pupils of World War II. The windows are dedicated to the three Forces, Air, Army and Navy. The church closed in 2006 and has now been converted into a home.
During World War II, Warninglid played an important role in the defence of Britain. The village was home to a radar station that was used to detect incoming enemy aircraft. The surrounding countryside was used for military training and manoeuvres. The village served as a base for the Home Guard, a volunteer force responsible for defending Britain against invasion.
The Warninglid Platoon, 26th Battalion Sussex Home Guard was commanded by Captain S. R. Walker, seated in the centre front row. There were 22 privates, 4 corporals, 4 sergeants and Lieutenant W. F. Munn. It was Lieutenant Munn who “cycled round and collected names of volunteers, mostly World War I veterans” that set the stage for the platoon. Warninglid Home Guard was disbanded June 1946 at which time King George VI stated that all Home Guard officers should retain their ranks permanently in appreciation for services rendered.
The old Rifleman Inn in Warninglid was at the south end of The Street. The original building was demolished in 1906 and rebuilt. It was reopened prior to the Great War. However, right up until 1960, The Rifleman only had gas lighting and was only licenced to sell beer and cider. However the village thrived with these two pubs for many years and after getting electricity and an extended licence, The Rifleman became a restaurant called “Solomons”. It finally closed in 1996 and is now a family home.
Img: This wonderful postcard shows the previous building of The Rifleman and dates to 1904. The car was owned and driven by Mr Kensil of Slaugham. The horse and carriage owner is unknown but the owner was wealthy enough to afford a carriage driver in uniform!
Warninglid has a long and rich history of pubs, dating back to at least the 17th century. The village was an important stopping point for travellers between London and the south coast of England, and pubs played a vital role in providing refreshments and lodging for these travellers. The original Half Moon pub was at the end of The Street and is now called Old Post. You can still see the original half-moon window facing south and the building still has the original cellar hatch at the front.
When the current Half Moon public house (shown here) was built, the former pub became the village post office hence its present name. The Half Moon stands prominently at the village crossroads within the Conservation area. It has a traditional English feel with a warm and cosy interior, complete with low ceilings, exposed beams, and an open fireplace. Visitors can still see remnants of its past, such as the old well that is now in the main dining room.
The Warninglid Sign was unveiled in August 1967 and was one of the initiatives of the Warninglid Residents’ Society which had been formed eight years previously. The unveiling was tasked to Sir Jack Hayward of Lydhurst and Mr George Backhouse, who was founder and chairman of the WRS. The top of the sign reads WERNA GELAD and the sign itself shows an interpretation of the Saxon leader Werna.
Today, Warninglid is a thriving village with a strong sense of community and a rich cultural heritage that is celebrated by residents and visitors alike. The surrounding countryside is a popular destination for walkers and nature lovers, with miles of footpaths and bridleways winding through fields, woods, and hills. Despite its small size, Warninglid has a long and fascinating history that reflects the changing fortunes of Britain over the centuries.
All Photos are from the Warninglid Residents’ Society (WRS) Archives.
