Since then it has had some importance for hop-growing; been a weekend home to Margaret Thatcher; been controversially by-passed; and played a major role in English wine production.

[4] The redrawing of the county boundary included transferring part of Bayham Lake so its entirety was in Kent.

To the west of the high street, The Broadway, are the ruins of Bayham Old Abbey, owned by English Heritage, and its replacement listed gardens and house,[7][8] while to the east is the 14th-century Scotney Castle, a property of the National Trust.

The decision caused some controversy due to its location in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The closest railway stations (both about 3 miles (4.8 km) distant) are Frant and Wadhurst on the north-south London to Hastings line.