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
SGN are upgrading gas network in Holtye Road, East Grinstead
SGN are writing to let you know about our upcoming project to upgrade our gas network in Holtye Road, East Grinstead. We are replacing our old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipe. [...]
Sunday 15 August – “Essential travel only” warning due to emergency work on the Brighton Main Line
Emergency work to replace two damaged rails on the Brighton Main Line this coming Sunday means passengers on the route are being urged to only travel only if absolutely essential this Sunday morning. Engineers will [...]
Charity Golf Day – Slip! Slap! Swing! in September
Slip! Slap! Swing! this September at the most entertaining charity golf day of the year, featuring Ryder Cup star Paul Way, and trick shot legend Jeremy Dale, PLUS a day of fantastic golf. The Melanoma [...]
Donate Your Surplus Food
You Can Help! 9.5 million tonnes of food goes to waste in the UK every year, contributing to 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions! You can fight this waste and help your community by [...]
Tune in to the local radio station
Click on Meridian logo if you want to listen through another browser tab
Website managed in association with
and
POPULAR TOURIST HOT SPOTS
Standen House
STANDEN HOUSE & GARDENS Arts and Crafts family home with William Morris interiors, set in a beautiful hillside garden. Come and see this National Trust family home and garden [...]
Sackville College
The College has been a functioning almshouse for almost 400 years, built with a bequest from the will of Robert Sackville, Earl of Dorset...
Bluebell Railway
Since March 2013, East Grinstead has become the northern terminus of the prestigious Bluebell Railway, the UK’s premier restored railway...
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 [...]
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.
