Terrible Down on the map

Location in East SussexTerrible Down sits where the marker shows within the county.

17,326
Population
6,542
Households
7 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£63,871
Avg. household income
1,051
Businesses
106
People per km²
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About Terrible Down

Terrible Down is a small village located in East Sussex, England, within the BN8 postcode area. The village is primarily residential, featuring a mix of traditional and modern homes. It is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sussex countryside, which offers opportunities for walking and enjoying the outdoors.

Local amenities are limited, but nearby towns provide essential services and shops. The village is well-connected by road, making it easy to reach larger towns and cities in the region. The landscape around Terrible Down is characterised by rolling hills and fields, typical of East Sussex, providing a peaceful setting for residents and visitors alike.

School Ratings in Terrible Down

There are 17 schools in and around Terrible Down. Chailey Heritage School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 6 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Terrible Down

The average property price is £577K, with detached homes making up the majority of the housing stock at around £738K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Terrible Down

Recorded crime levels are lower than the national average. Anti-social behaviour is prevalent across Terrible Down, with 8 recorded incidents in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Terrible Down

Terrible Down sits around the middle of the national deprivation scale, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment levels are broadly typical for the area, sitting close to the national average. Household incomes are broadly in line with the national average.

Property Prices 2,055 sales

Average Price £577K
£3K , £5.6M
Detached £738K 824
Semi £441K 583
Terraced £359K 343
Flat £298K 149

Household Income in Terrible Down ONS 2023

The average total household income in Terrible Down is approximately £63,871 a year before tax, 15% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £46,103. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Terrible Down £63,871
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £46,103.

Businesses in Terrible Down ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,051 active businesses based in Terrible Down, around 61 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 91% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 18 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,051 Total businesses
61 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 91%
Small, 10-49 7%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Terrible Down IMD 2025

Terrible Down sits around the national average for deprivation according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment and income levels are broadly typical, reflecting a mixed local economy. The area offers a balance of residential and commercial activity common to most parts of England.

Overall Deprivation
7/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
7/10
Health
8/10
Housing
3/10
Living Environment
4/10
Children 0-15 17%
Working age 57%
Older 65+ 26%
2,969 Children (0-15) 17%
9,790 Working Age 57%
4,557 Older (65+) 26%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 22% of children in income-deprived families
Above Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 9.8% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Terrible Down 31 crimes · May 2026

Low Crime Area

Terrible Down records relatively low levels of reported crime compared to national averages. Violence & sexual offences is the most commonly logged offence type, though overall numbers remain modest. The area is generally considered a safe and settled small town with a strong sense of community.

Violence & Sexual Offences 12
Anti-Social Behaviour 8
Public Order 4
Criminal Damage & Arson 2
Burglary 1
Drugs 1
Other Theft 1
Weapons 1
Other Crime 1
Local Policing
Sussex Chiddingly and East Hoathly
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Uckfield Train Station 4.1 miles
Buxted Train Station 4.9 miles
Glynde Train Station 4.9 miles
Berwick (Sussex) Train Station 5.6 miles
Lewes Train Station 6 miles
Cooksbridge Train Station 6.2 miles

Location

Local Government

District Lewes
County East Sussex
Ward Chailey, Barcombe & Hamsey
Constituency Lewes
Parish Chailey
Region South East

Home Ownership in Terrible Down

Of the 7,209 households in and around Terrible Down, 73% are owned, 11% are socially rented and 16% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 73% Social rented 11% Private rented 16%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Terrible Down.

Frequently Asked Questions about Terrible Down

What is the population of Terrible Down?
Terrible Down has a population of approximately 17,326 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Terrible Down?
The average property in and around Terrible Down sold for about £576,960, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 65% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Terrible Down a deprived area?
Terrible Down sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 7 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Terrible Down?
Terrible Down is covered by the BN8 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Terrible Down?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Terrible Down, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Terrible Down?
The nearest railway station to Terrible Down is Uckfield Train Station, about 4.1 miles away.