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
Flying Scotsman to visit Bluebell Railway
Iconic Flying Scotsman Locomotive to ‘fly south’ to the historic Bluebell Railway this August Beloved of enthusiasts and the general public alike, Flying Scotsman means so much to so many. At 100 years old, this [...]
East Grinstead Sports Club – Explore Our Current Job Vacancies
Our company, Acorn Health & Leisure Ltd, took over the management and running of the East Grinstead Sports Club with effect Feb 1st 2023. Having settled in we are now actively looking to staff up [...]
Acorns Leisure have taken over the running of East Grinstead Sports Club
East Grinstead Sports Club is delighted to announce that as from February 1st, 2023, Acorns Leisure have taken over the running of the sports club. This is a very exciting time for both organisations as [...]
DEMU 1305 Press Release
The Bluebell Railway is pleased to announce the purchase of former Southern Region DEMU No. 1305, which will become part of the Bluebell Railway fleet. No. 1305 has been owned and cared for by the [...]
Tune in to the local radio station
Click on Meridian logo if you want to listen through another browser tab
Website managed by
POPULAR TOURIST HOT SPOTS
Gravetye Estate
Built about 1520, this is a substantial timber-framed house with rooms of wood and lime plaster and the patina of centuries past...
Kingscote Valley
KINGSCOTE VALLEY Kingscote Valley is an exciting new tourism destination consisting of 2000 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside nestled in a hidden valley surrounding East Grinstead in West Sussex. [...]
Millennium Stone & Meridian Line
The Millennium Year 2000 was marked by the placing of a beacon just near East Court Mansion and by the installation, on the Meridian Line...
Sackville House
Built about 1520, this is a substantial timber-framed house with rooms of wood and lime plaster and the patina of centuries past...
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.
