Did you know that...
Headley is recorded in the 11th century in the Domesday Book as Hallega. The name means “clearing in a heather”. The name derives from the village’s placement on a patch of acidic topsoil. In the 11th century, the settlement was led by someone named Radulfus de Felgeres. There are no mentions of a church in the area before the Norman conquest. The Roman road which is now known as Stane Street passes just 2 km from this KT18 village. The Roman villa unearthed in the nearby village is a scheduled ancient monument. Headley was in the ancient hundred of Copthorne.
In 1880, Walter Cunliffe, 1st Baron Cunliffe received Headley Court farmhouse estate from his father. His father’s condition was that Walter became a banker, not a farmer. Walter Cunliffe was the Governor of the Bank of England. The family owns its fortune to Walter’s grandfather, James Cunliffe, who is associated with the development of the North Eastern Railway. Headley Heath is marked as a site of special scientific interest. In World War II, the heath was used as training grounds by the Canadian troops.
St Mary’s church in Headley dates from the 19th century. It was built using local flint rubble. Architect Anthony Salvin designed the church building. The tower was built in 1859 by architect G.E. Street. The church is a Grade II listed construction. The grotto near St Mary’s church is made with materials from a 15th-century church. Headley does not have a railway station. Residents use the nearby station at Betchworth. The parish council hall hosts several local clubs such as the gardening club, computer club, cricket club, and a few others. The Cock Inn is the local pub. It was called the Cock Horse. This area has an RAF club. Headley Cricket Club was established in 1893. The club plays in the Surrey Downs League since 2002.