HAYWARDS HEATH

Referred to in the 19th century as the 'Metropolis of Mid Sussex', Haywards Heath officially became a town in 1862 but its roots go much further back.  Part of Cuckfield Parish until 1894, its name, meaning 'hedge enclosure', has evolved from the earliest, 13th century, form of Hayworth, through the 1504 Haywyrddsyhoth and various incarnations until its present form emerged in 1569.  Legend has it that the town took its name 'Hayward' from the highwayman, Jack Hayward, who chose to stage many of his audacious raids on the heath.