The Tanyard

A Tanyard existed in Henfield from Tudor times to 1844, turning cattle hides into leather. All that remains is the name, a tree-lined field and a pond which was used to soak the animal hides in urine and dung as part of the tanning process.

The Tanyard Field is located at the end of Cagefoot Lane and covers 1.2 hectares. Back in the 17th century it would have been a hive of activity, covered in sheds and pits where the cattle hides were scraped, cleaned and soaked.  It smells a lot better now than it would have done 250 years ago!

Today the field is a wildlife meadow managed by the Henfield Conservation Volunteers. To mark the Millennium, a Black Poplar was planted beside one of the ponds. Although native to Britain, the Black Poplar is now relatively rare because it hybridises so readily. The field is opened once a year for a circular walk during the annual Henfield Gardens and Arts Festival.