Town Pop. 3,727

Living in Forest Row: Liveability Score 36/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Forest Row is 36/100, built from 9 categories. Furthest below the national norm is safety, at 44/100 against a town median of 88/100. Of the 3 places sharing the RH18 postcode district, Forest Row scores lowest.

Against the wider RH18 district average of 42/100, that is 6 points below. That sits 14 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the bottom quarter of the towns and villages we score. Below 30/100: transport (14), schools (15), bills (23), healthcare (27) and lifestyle (29). For the surrounding area, see RH18 postcode district.

36
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Forest Row scores 36 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Forest Row.
Or compare:
RH18 5AA RH18 TN7

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
44
159.1 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Shoplifting 216 crimes
↑ 644% above national average
Violence and sexual offences 130 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Anti-social behaviour 86 crimes
↑ 52% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 36 crimes
↑ 43% above national average
Other theft 35 crimes
↑ 52% above national average
other 90 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Supermarket 235 crimes
  2. 2 Hartfield Road 20 crimes
  3. 3 Lewes Road 16 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
75
Air Quality NO₂ 5.9 · PM2.5 6.5 · PM10 10.2 µg/m³
74
Green Space 78
Parks Some 1
Sports Pitches Adequate 4
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses Adequate 2
Tennis Courts Ample 8
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
15
1 school in area · 2 within 4km
1Good
  • Forest Row Church of England Primary School and NurseryPrimary · inspected 2024
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
27
A&E departmentsTunbridge Wells Nuffield Hospital9.6 mi
Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury11.3 mi
East Surrey Hospital11.6 mi
Hospital waitsEast Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust0.7 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks66.3%
A&E seen within 4 hrs70.9%
1 GP surgery in area best 'Good'
GP capacity1,409 patients per GP
2dentists1pharmacy

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
37
Full fibre (FTTP)68.6%
available across Wealden
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
74.5%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
74.5%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.9%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 109 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
73
Employment rate57.6%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed57.6%Unemployed2.5%Retired26.7%Student4.5%Other inactive8.7%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial49.7%Skilled & technical36.3%Routine & elementary14%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications10.3%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)7.7%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.2%Level 3 (A levels)17.8%Level 4+ (degree & above)45%Apprenticeship4.2%Other (incl. vocational)1.8%
Home ownership72.6%
Among the least-deprived 32% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
23
Council tax Wealden · 2026-27
A £1,819
B £2,122
C £2,425
D £2,728
E £3,334
F £3,940
G £4,547
H £5,456
Energy South East England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Southern Water
Average bill regional £683/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
14
East Grinstead 3.4 mi
Dormans 4.8 mi
Cowden 5.3 mi
J10A M23 8 mi
J10 M23 8.3 mi
J10 M23 8.4 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
29
Pubs & Bars Some 1
Restaurants & Cafes Adequate 10
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 2
Retail Shopping Ample 32
Takeaways Some 2
Fitness Ample 14

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £537,500 22
Detached £860,000 10
5-year monthly trend
All Detached
£400k £570k £744k £914k 2022 2023 2024 2025

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Nearby places

Ashurst Wood 48 1.5 mi away ⇄
Upper Hartfield 37 2.4 mi away ⇄
Chelwood Gate 38 3.1 mi away ⇄
Hartfield 37 3.2 mi away ⇄
Sharpthorne 42 3.3 mi away ⇄
East Grinstead 64 3.3 mi away ⇄
Chelwood Common 38 3.8 mi away ⇄
Cowden 37 4.2 mi away ⇄
West Hoathly 39 4.3 mi away ⇄
Nutley 36 4.3 mi away ⇄
Dormans Park 47 4.4 mi away ⇄
Duddleswell 0 4.4 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Forest Row a nice place to live?

Forest Row has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Forest Row is 36/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Forest Row?

Forest Row has above-average crime levels. Our safety score is 44/100. There were 593 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Forest Row?

Among the top-rated schools in Forest Row is Forest Row Church of England Primary School and Nursery, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 1 rated schools in Forest Row in total.

What are house prices like in Forest Row?

The current median house price in Forest Row is £537,500, around 89% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £860,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 13%. There were 22 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Forest Row in context

See where Forest Row ranks among the best places to live in East Sussex

Postcode districts in Forest Row

RH18 42 ⇄
TN7 44 ⇄

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