Forest Row vs Wadhurst
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.9 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Forest Row is about 6% cheaper on average. Forest Row has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Forest Row edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Forest Row
£526,850
Wadhurst
£562,722
Crime Rate
Forest Row
40.7
Wadhurst
41.1
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Forest Row
100.0%
Wadhurst
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Forest Row
388.1
Wadhurst
342.7
EPC Rating
Forest Row
71.4
Wadhurst
70
Median Income
Forest Row
£32,873
Wadhurst
£32,793
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastBuyers will find Forest Row more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £526,850 versus £562,722 in Wadhurst. The most affordable entry point in Forest Row is a flat at £228,167, while in Wadhurst it is a flat at £288,700.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 21% pricier in Wadhurst (£288,700 vs £228,167).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Wadhurst prices grew faster — 16% vs 5%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastWith 40.7 offences per 1,000 people, Forest Row is the safer of the two – 1% lower than Wadhurst's 41.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Forest Row is violent-crime, while in Wadhurst it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South EastSchool quality favours Forest Row: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 100% in Wadhurst.
Forest Row School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Wadhurst School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Forest Row | Wadhurst |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 1 |
| Secondary | 0 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Forest Row enjoy 388.1 Mbps on average, while Wadhurst lags behind at 342.7 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.1% of premises in Forest Row and 89.7% in Wadhurst. Gigabit availability stands at 73.9% in Forest Row and 63.9% in Wadhurst.
Forest Row is the faster of the two by 13% on average download speed (388 vs 343 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Forest Row is band C (score 71.4), ahead of Wadhurst's band C (score 70). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,236 in Forest Row and £1,281 in Wadhurst. 63.6% of homes in Forest Row have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.2% in Wadhurst.
Forest Row has more energy-efficient housing — 63.6% reach band C or above, vs 60.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Forest Row has a population of 3,881 while Wadhurst has 3,408. Median household income is £32,873 in Forest Row and £32,792.5 in Wadhurst. The median age is 46.9 in Forest Row and 47.4 in Wadhurst. Employment rates stand at 59% in Forest Row and 56.3% in Wadhurst.
| Indicator | Forest Row | Wadhurst |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,881 | 3,408 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 47.4 |
| Median Household Income | £32,873 | £32,792.5 |
| Employment Rate | 59% | 56.3% |
| Owner Occupied | 74.8% | 71.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.7% | 34% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Forest Row and Wadhurst?
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