Welcome to East Grinstead
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.
The town has something for every visitor – the ancient buildings are now home to a variety of friendly independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants – including a historic coaching inn. For lovers of the great outdoors, the town has a wealth of waymarked paths and a national long distance trail runs through the town on the Greenwich Meridian.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our special town…
Latest News
East Grinstead Sports Club Announcement
The Trustees of East Grinstead Sports Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Acorn Health and Leisure as their new operating partner from January 1st, 2023. The Acorns team have been running their club, [...]
East Grinstead Town FC Pre-Season Friendlies
The first Team play in the Isthmian League Division South East at the OHOB Community Stadium at East Court, home to the club since 1967. Our Under 18s play in the Bostik Youth East League [...]
Bluebell Railway celebrate 150 years of ‘Terrier’ Locomotives. 29th – 31st July
The Bluebell Railway in Sussex is celebrating the 150th birthday of their ‘Terrier’ Class locomotive no’ 72 Fenchurch. The celebrations kick-start with a special birthday bash event that celebrates the history of transport across the [...]
Introduction of flexible season ticket offer and changes to parking charges to come into effect
From 28 March Mid Sussex District Council will implement a new flexible season ticket offer and increase car parking charges in line with inflation. Changes to car park season tickets, which are mainly used by [...]
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POPULAR TOURIST HOT SPOTS
Hammerwood Park
Located 3½ miles east of East Grinstead, Hammerwood Park was built in 1792 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1764 – 1820), architect of the White House and US Capitol Building in Washington D.C...
Chequer Mead
CHEQUER MEAD Chequer Mead is fast becoming one of the best entertainment venues in the South East. With a programme offering something for everyone, you may be pleasantly surprised [...]
St Swithun’s Church
ST. SWITHUN'S CHURCH St. Swithun’s is a Grade II listed building. The site had a church since the 11th century. It was struck by lightning in 1772 and after [...]
Weir Wood Reservoir Nature Reserve
WEIR WOOD RESERVOIR Weir Wood Reservoir in the Ashdown Forest is mostly water, surrounded by strips of open grassland, scrub and woodland. Low lying meadows also form part of [...]
THE TOWN’S HISTORY
East Grinstead has a long tradition of weekly markets. It’s broad High Street is testimony to this. Even before a town existed, several ancient tracks converged on this area and people would probably have met to transact their business. Possibly in goods and animals.
The town was given a charter by Henry III in 1247 to have a weekly Monday market and an annual fair. In 1655 the market moved from Monday to Thursday predominately for the sales of corn, but joined in 1703 by cattle sales. Thursday has remained the day of the popular farmer’s market ever since. The cattle market thrived until December 1970 when the last ‘Fat Stock Show’ was held.
