Ditchling Road

Notes & Queries: Old Boat Corner

Query sent to My Brighton and Hove website, 11/7/2001:
"Do you have any historical information on Old Boat Corner in Brighton? I am writing a screenplay based on this site and would appreciate any further information I can acquire. Thanks! Sam Taylor"

Response 1 - Old Boat Corner
From Jan Hill, My Brighton and Hove volunteer, 13/7/2001
"Old Boat Corner is at the junction between Ditchling Road and Coldean Lane (South West corner of the Stanmer estate). The name originates from an upturned boat there which was used as a shepherd's hut. (Info from Encyclopedia of Brighton by Tim Carder)"

Response 2 - Old Boat Corner
From Geoffrey Mead, My Brighton and Hove volunteer and local historian, 16/7/2001
"Old Boat Corner is the area at the north end of Ditchling Road where it meets Coldean Lane and is in essence the NW corner of Stanmer Park. Before the realignment of the road junction with the building of the by-pass it was almost a crossroads, and there was reputedly a toll keeper's cottage or bothy made out of an up-ended boat.

"Similar structures can be seen outside the Brighton Fishing Museum, although on a much smaller scale. Because of their weather proof qualities, old boat hulls were much in use for dwellings (see David Copperfield), or as storage for nets etc..."