Also of interest is the former obvious importance of the footpath going from the Seven Dials, along what is now Prestonville Road and then Stanford Road and finally Lovers Walk to Preston Road.

Where do the railway lines lead to?

The railway line heading towards the top left of the picture is the London to Brighton railway. The one leading to the right is the Lewes Railway, I am not sure of the one leading to the direct left of the picture.

The map is correct for 1850 and correctly does not show the Cliftonville loop (Hove curve) which I believe opened ca.1860. The line to the top left is London/Brighton - top is Lewes - left is the coast line to Shoreham/Worthing and beyond. Holland Road Halt can be seen, the Cliftonville Loop joined just west of Holland Road Halt, however it curved in from the east. Had it been built at the time of the map, it would have just been possible to see it leaving the London line, left hand side of the map, but not the actual position it joined the coast line.

I have a map of Brightelmston dated 1799 by Edward Cobby. I showed it to an antique dealer who told me it was a pen and ink map and I should get it checked to see if it is of the right date. Can you tell me where I might go with it to find out.

Hi Paul. if your map by Edward Cobby is rendered in pen and ink, it is either very rare original or a more recent hand reproduced copy. The map was used in his directory of 1799/1800 and has been reprinted in numerous other works. I suspect that what you have is a print of the map. That said, if it is the genuine Cobby original for the map, I suggest you contact Brighton Museum or ESRO.

Is there any record of the work put in by William Hallett on the building of the railway?

A 19th Century street called Model Dwelling Street in the Pavilion Ward has since disappeared. Has anyone come across this street in 19th Century Brighton maps?

Can anyone tell me whereabouts in Brighton Nottingham Street was, as I can't see it on any old maps?

Nottingham Street became Spa street, then later Tillstone street, which runs parallel with Leicester street which is part of the Queen's Park conservation area.

I took my 1799 map of Brighton to the map room in London, they told me it was the a pen and ink map of Brightthelmston and the right age but could tell me no more . Where is the best place to take it to?

I took my map to be looked at and was told it is the right date but they did not know if it was done by Edward Cobby but it as a pen and ink map. It has published by ED Cobby, Brighthelmston, 1799 on the bottom . Would he have written this if it was by him?

A message for Alan Keay re Model Dwelling Street in the Pavilion Ward. There were two Model Dwellings in Brighton which were blocks of flats built for housing the poor, rather like early council houses but with private funding. Brighton had less Model Dwellings than many other towns and only one block remains - in Jew Street on the corner of Church Street. This may possible be the source of the street name.

I have found a map of Brighton and I am trying to date it. It is on fine linen. On the map it has Hove Drove instead of Hove Street, and West Brighton station instead of Hove Station. Can anyone explain this?

The original station opened on the site of the current Hove Station was called Cliftonville and West Brighton, it opened on 1st October 1865. The name was changed to Hove and West Brighton in 1893. Finally in 1895 the name Hove Station was adopted. This would date the map at somewhere between 1865 and 1895! To add to the confusion, there was an earlier Hove Station, on the site of Wicks, adjacent to Holland/Davigdore Road. This opened with the line in 1840 and closed in 1880. Close by, 50mts to the west, Holland Road Halt was opened in 1905. The relative position of West Brighton Station on the map may help? If it is on the site of the current Hove Station then between 1865 - 1895 is correct.

Does anyone know of the whereabouts of a Chalk Farm in Brighton in the mid 1800s?

I don't know if this helps but in the 70's I used to ride a trails bike on chalk pits just past the A23 pylons western side. It is the northbound carriageway now!

Does anyone remember Jean Bennet who lived in Elder Street off New England?

Durf! I can't read the street names! I am writing a book that takes place in 19th Century Brighton and I need street names. Do you have some maps with street names on it? I would love to know. Thank you.
[Editor: You may want to try the Brighton Museum. I'm sure they will be able to help you.]