About Us
“Holdenhurst provides affordable housing in a thriving community”
Abbeyfield South Downs
The development of Holdenhurst marks a new chapter for Abbeyfield South Downs, providing exceptional Care Enabled housing for the local community. We are incredibly proud to have obtained funding and support to build a development that is somewhat unique in our region.
“Holdenhurst provides affordable housing in a thriving community. With support from Homes England, we are proud to offer a full rental development. This makes it special as it enables people to enjoy the beautiful homes we are offering, at a price that is within reach for everyone.”
Nolan Taylor Chief Executive
We are a registered charity and operate on a not-for-profit basis. We share fundamental principles with the national Abbeyfield Society, revolving around the support, care, lifestyle and wellbeing of older people.

The Abbeyfield ethos
The Abbeyfield Society was founded by Richard Carr-Gomm in 1956 to alleviate loneliness among older people who were living unsupported and with little contact with others. Today, there are hundreds of Abbeyfield properties nationwide, some managed centrally by the National Society, but most are managed by individual independent Abbeyfield members.
Abbeyfield houses maintain a fundamental purpose which reflects Richard Carr-Gomm’s original approach. Our services are designed to alleviate loneliness, by providing contact with others in a partly-shared environment.
Our History
In addition to Holdenhurst, we have six supported living houses for older people, located in Alfriston, Eastbourne (two houses), Hove, St Leonards-on-Sea and Tunbridge Wells.
Abbeyfield South Downs came into existence in 2011 and was a merger of the then Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne and Sussex Weald Abbeyfields. An integral part of the process was the support of the national Abbeyfield Society, which included the donation of their only East Sussex property in St Leonards-on-Sea. In 2016, Abbeyfield Tunbridge Wells joined and then in 2017, the Alfriston and District Abbeyfield passed their house to Abbeyfield South Downs.
To find out more about our houses, please visit abbsd.co.uk
Latest news & events
- 22nd January 2020A move to Holdenhurst will see you living in the small market town of Heathfield as the development is just a short walk from the centre of town. A...
- 14th January 2021Holdenhurst is a new development of 48 affordable, rental apartments offering 'extra care' sheltered housing. This means that you live independently, but with the option of taking additional services,...
- 7th January 2021Think you’re too young to experience what life has to offer at Holdenhurst? Here's why it may be your dream home, whatever your age. Holdenhurst is Abbeyfield South Downs’ flagship...