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
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 [...]
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 [...]
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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 [...]
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...
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 [...]
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 [...]
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.
