Heathfield is a modest market town in East Sussex, England. The town lies near the crossroads of two main roads: the A267 between Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne; and the A265 from Hawkhurst. It is nearly equidistant from Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne: about 16 mi (26 kilometres). Historically, Heathfield lay on an ancient trackway (The Ridgeway), connecting the South Downs with the Weald. Its market charter was given in February 1316 during the reign of Edward II. The Wealden iron brought prosperity to the town during the 16th and 17th centuries; the arrival of the train (the Cuckoo Line) in 1880 offered it another new lease of life. The latter was not a financial success and the branch line between Eridge and Polegate closed in 1968. The trackbed is now named the Cuckoo Trail, part of the National Cycle Network. The original village, referred to as Old Heathfield, is now only part of the town, which has developed with time. The town holds an annual fair named the Heffle Cuckoo Fair each April, and the annual Heathfield show takes place each May in the summertime. There is an Anglo/French market called Le Marché held annually on the August Bank Vacation and a fair that visits through the Summer. There is a fairly large football field and a little play ground. At Cross-in-Hand there is a rugby club for adults and kids. Within the town, there are 2 flower designers, a number of churches, a few hair and beauty salons, 2 boutiques, an electrical shop, 2 bookshops, 2 ironmongers, 5 charity shops, 2 clubs, a green grocer, a butcher, a baker, 2 antique shops, a grocery store, and a range of banks, estate agents, and restaurants. For all your home improvements, be sure to find respected specialists in Heathfield to make certain of quality.