A small village, with its origins at the northern edge of St. Leonards Forest, it has no shops or retail facilities.

There is a pub "The Dragon", and a church and a small primary school, which in 2012 received a Good report rating from OFSTED.

The area is associated with the Wealden iron industry, and Col possibly refers to charcoal burners.

Over the road to the north was Black Hill wood, part of the traditional St Leonards Forest that no longer exists.

Furthermore, five deaths occurred during the conflict among villagers serving in the Civil Defences that would have included the Home Guard.