Tourism
With a diversity of activities in the area East Grinstead is an ideal place for people with different tastes, walkers, history buffs, racegoers, steam railway enthusiasts and many more.
Attractions
Worth Way – A 7 mile footpath & bridleway
Lingfield Park Racecourse
Standen – National Trust arts & crafts country house
Bluebell Railway (Preserved Heritage Line) – Kingscote station is just south west of the town
Transport
Road – The town lies on the A22, the London to Eastbourne Trunk Road.
Rail – The line is termination of the Oxted Branch Line, the town has 1 station.
Brief History
East Grinstead began as a Saxon village. Its name means green place. By the time of the Domesday Book (1086) it was quite a large village. In 1247 East Grinstead was given a charter and became a town This document granted the people certain rights. The charter confirmed the right to hold weekly markets and an annual fair. From the mid-18th century East Grinstead became a stagecoach town. Many stagecoaches passed through on their way to and from the growing resort of Brighton. The railway arrived in 1855 and made it possible for middle class commuters to live in East Grinstead and so, in the late 19th century, the population of the town grew rapidly.
Famous People
Dr Richard Beeching – Prepared a report which led to closure of many railway lines in the 1960’s.
Sir Patrick Moore – Astronomer. Lived here from 1929 -1965
W H Davies – Welsh poet, lived in the town later in life
Jane Leeves – Film & TV actress (Frasier, Sienfeild, Benny Hill Show and many more)
Sir Archibald McIndoe – Pioneering plastic surgeon
Approximate Population
The current population is approximately 26,000
Nearest Tourist Information Centre
Horsham
9 The Causeway, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1HE
Tel: 01403 211661
Email: tourist.information@horsham.gov.uk
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