East Grinstead Town Tour Preview

On a sandstone ridge beside the Ashdown Forest, East Grinstead is capital of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Come and explore our ancient market town with its Medieval High Street, discover its fascinating history and the people who shaped it.

This tour will take you from the railway station to the historic High Street. If you are at the Bluebell Railway station, walk north for around 200m towards the National Railway station to start the tour.

The first railway in East Grinstead was a branch line from Three Bridges which was opened in 1855. The station was divided into two levels, a lower level serving Oxted and Lewes and a higher level serving Three Bridges and Tunbridge Wells.

As you leave the station, cross over onto the right side of Railway Approach, on your right you will see the site of the Union Workhouse which is now the St Leonard’s Park Estate.

Conditions in the Workhouse were meant to act as a deterrent and were made worse than the poorest life outside. Any able-bodied person who wanted help would have to live in the workhouse to receive it. Husbands, wives and children were separated.

Workhouses soon became symbols of degradation and the ‘respectable’ poor would do almost anything to avoid being put into them.

The East Grinstead Union, which consisted of the parishes of East Grinstead, West Hoathly, Worth, Crawley, Hartfield, Withyham and Lingfield, served a population of nearly 12,000. East Grinstead workhouse took the able bodied with any overflow going to Withyham. Worth took the aged and infirm, Hartfield the girls and Lingfield the boys. Inmates were put to work spinning and weaving, making shoes, hats and bonnets, knitting stockings and making moleskin waistcoats. It was also common practice for children to be placed out as servants or apprentices.

From 1840 there were ‘Casual wards’ and nursing care. These were the forerunners of today’s Accident and Emergency in hospitals. This system was replaced in 1920 when local authorities took over, renaming them Public Assistance Institutions. When the NHS was created in 1948, many workhouses became public hospitals including East Grinstead which became St Leonard’s Hospital until 1982.

Continue up Railway Approach, passing The Railway Tavern on your left. This pub has been open since 1856 as was originally known as The Station Inn and provided hospitality for travellers arriving at the station. Now turn right onto London Road.

This is the main road through town. It leads up to the ancient High Street. In the 15th century it was part of the longest and oldest coaching route from London to Brighton via Lewes. As you continue up the road on your right you will see what remains of The Old Fire station above Tim Ley. The top window was the original ‘look out’ post.

Now, looking left, look up and you will see the building with blue roof tiles. This 1930’s building was built in the art deco style and these tiles were very popular at the time although, some thought it garish, and worried it would attract unwanted attention during the second world war.

Continue up the street taking in the bend to the right and cross on the pedestrian crossing. In front of you is Judges Terrace which combines Clarendon House and Old Stone House. These buildings date to 1500 and 1630 respectively and up until the 19th century were the accommodation for Judges and the location of the Sussex Winter Assizes (travelling regional courts). It is said that punishments were administered outside their doors.

You are now entering the Historic High Street of East Grinstead renowned for having one of the longest unbroken run of timber-framed buildings in England dating back to the 14th century and is now a conservation area. It was planned and built in medieval times with a wide road area which could accommodate fairs and markets. It was granted a charter to hold markets by King Henry III in 1247. It was lined on both sides with timber framed houses or burgages which had 22 meter long gardens known as portlands. These allowed homeowners to keep a few animals and grow their own food. Thirty-two of these houses survive meaning some have been occupied for 600 years.

East Grinstead High Street is a lovely place to stop for lunch or a coffee and contemplate all the people who have gone before or just people watch.

This timber-framed building was once one of East Grinstead’s many coaching houses and for 200 years was known as The Bull Inn. If you look to the right of the building you can see the original coach entrance.

The Bookshop building, also known as the Tudor House is Grade II listed and is a 15th century hall house, the cork bark on the upper parts of the building are a later addition and were installed by a 19th century owner. Pop in and have a look round this amazing building and book shop.

You are now entering Middle Row which is an island between the two rows of shops. Originally this area was for market traders who, over the years became more permanent and were eventually replaced by the existing buildings. As you walk along, you can almost imagine what it was like back then.

Number 78-80 High Street is Cromwell House, a privately owned residence. Many of the original features remain although the height of the building has been reduced over time. The brick flue stack is original.

The Porch House 82-84 High Street is also privately owned. Its earliest parts date to around 1550. It has a timber frame which is now encased in stone and was extended in the 17th century.

Moving towards the end of the road you will see The Old Lock Up, 90 High Street on your right. This privately owned residence was once a purpose built town gaol which doubled as the home of the Town Constable. It was built around 1830 with the first floor being built later. The holding cell was originally on the right hand side with its unusual diamond shaped window.

As you come to the end of the road you will see a large building on your right which is now RH & RW Clutton Land Agent but originally called Poynders. It was built around 1900 in the Arts and Crafts style.

Now, taking care, cross the road.

The statue in front of you is dedicated to Sir Archibald McIndoe. McIndoe was a brilliant surgeon who worked for the Royal Air Force during World War II at the Queen Victoria Hospital here in East Grinstead. He developed new techniques for treating badly burned hands and faces but also recognised the importance of the rehabilitation and social reintegration of his patients. So much so, that East Grinstead became known as ‘the town that did not stare’ More information is available at East Grinstead Museum.

Continue down the road until you come to Church Lane, walk down Church Lane and take the entrance to the grade II listed St Swithun’s. A church has existed on the present site for over 1000 years. The present church was built in the ‘Gothic’ style and opened in 1813. It is the only church in Sussex with 13 bells.

Take a walk inside the building and enjoy the magnificent architecture and then, as you walk round the building, look for a pair of doors on your right. See if you can spot the two carved mice running in opposite directions.

In the church yard you will see the tomb of the previously mentioned Reverend John Mason Neale and memorials to the three East Grinstead Martyrs.

The Martyrs, Thomas Dunngate, Anne Tree and John Forman all lived in or near East Grinstead during the reign of ‘Bloody’ Queen Mary I, daughter of King Henry VIII. Mary was a staunch catholic and the three were arrested in 1556 for refusing to abandon Protestantism. They met their deaths at the stake somewhere outside what was the Broadleys building.

Leave the church through the small alley opposite the front of the church and turn right. Soon you will come to The Crown Inn. This is the oldest pub in East Grinstead. The original building was timber framed and built around 1800 and was the first inn to have electric light installed in1885.