Falmer Road

Please note that this text is an extract from a reference work written in 1990.  As a result, some of the content may not reflect recent research, changes and events.

z) FALMER ROAD: Opened as a coaching road from Falmer to Rottingdean in 1822. The first group of houses on the western side are Northgate Cottages, small, cobble-fronted, listed houses of the eighteenth century with an addition of 1881. The adjacent Challoners Cottages are a group of four, late-nineteenth-century, knapped-flint and red-brick houses.
Falmer Road then continues past The Rotyngs, the site of Rottingdean School from 1893 until 1962, towards Woodingdean . It passes Court Ord Cottages at Meadow Close, a group of late-nineteenth-century knapped-flint and red-brick houses, and also the New Barn, an eighteenth-century listed building with an adjoining stable, both in knapped flint. New Barn actually stood within the former parish of Ovingdean , as did Rottingdean Place. This development was originally erected as St Mary’s Home for Female Penitents (i.e. ex-prostitutes) by F.T.Cawthorn in 1912. It later became old people’s home, but closed in 1977 and was used as an international school until 1980. It was then taken by the Scientology sect, but was converted in 1984-7 into flats. (For full details on St Mary’s Home see “Queen Square”.)

Any numerical cross-references in the text above refer to resources in the Sources and Bibliography section of the Encyclopaedia of Brighton by Tim Carder.

Comments about this page

  • I moved from Woodingdean to Rottingdean in 1975, after marrying Maureen Grigg. For a while we lived in Ely Drive while our bungalow was being built in Falmer Road next to Meadow Parade. Maureen’s grandfather Mr Painter developed the estates around Brighton, Portslade, Mile Oak as well as Ely Drive, Ely Crescent, Meadow Close, and Meadow Parade. Mr Painter actually lived in Mile Oak. Maureen and I were married in St Margaret’s Church, Rottingdean on June 15, 1957 and caused a minor stir by walking to the Plough Inn for our wedding breakfast, rather than taking the car laid on for us. That day the weather was very, very hot with very bright sunshine. A better day we could not have wished for. MORE TO COME . . . .

    By Robert Coe (09/06/2011)
  • As an 8 year old immediately prior to World War II, I used to milk cows in the left hand barn. On the other side of that barn was a waggon shed; two of the waggons had been made by my great grandfather, who was the village waggonwright. I believe the farm was owned by Percy Filkins, who was later C.O. of the local Homeguard

    By Peter Titchener (07/04/2014)

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