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� The Green & village pondThe Green, in front of St Margaret’sChurch has been the focus of villageactivities since the Stone Age. The pond,once fed by a spring, provided the onlysource of drinking water during Neolithicand Saxon times both for humans andlivestock. It is a place for calm reflectionand enjoyment.

� The Old Customs HouseDuring the heyday of smuggling in the 17th and18th centuries the Rottingdean Gang wasactive. The customs house in the High Street,opposite the Trellis restaurant, was establishedin 1760 to help prevent further smuggling.

� Rottingdean TerracesRottingdean terraces, situated betweenthe White Horse Hotel and the seafronthave recently been converted into amulti-purpose outdoor performancestage and auditorium. For forthcomingperformances go to www.rottingdeanarts.org.uk

�The long undercliff walk from Black Rock toSaltdean was built between 1930 and 1935 aspart of the sea defences to reduce the erosionof the chalk cliffs. The Gap is a natural valleyin the cliffs allowing access to the village.

� Beach & SeaThe beach is backed by chalk cliffs and a lifeguard service operates in summer. Thereare rock pools to explore and the remains oftracks for Magnus Volk’s extraordinary‘Daddy Longlegs’ Railway can be seen. Theonly train ever to have a lifeboat attached, itran from 1896-1901. There is a recentlyrestored building containing public toiletsand a cafe. www.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk/around-about/history-environment

� The Elms & Kipling GardensRudyard Kipling wrote some of his mostfamous works whilst living at The Elmsbetween 1897 and 1902. Formerly withinthe grounds of The Elms, Kipling Gardensare open every dayto the public andcontain a walledrose garden, anarea of ornamentalgrasses, a

chalkland wild area and a croquet lawn.The gardens have been awarded theprestigious Green Flag for many years and a Gold for the smallparks, in the S&SE In-Bloom competition.www.rottingdeanpreservationsociety.org.uk

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� Challoners and Little ChallonersThe old manor house of Rottingdean dates back to 1450 butonly the cellars remain of the original building. Thomas

Challoner built the manor but itlater passed into the hands of theBeard family. Extensions werebuilt right up to the 19th centuryand one distinctive feature is theSolarium window, often referred toas the ‘Trafalgar’. Legend has it

that this was added so that the mistress of the house couldsee her naval husband at sea or that a light in the window wasa guide for the smugglers. The present building, with itshidden smugglers tunnels, dates back to the late 16th century.

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There is plenty to do and see inRottingdean with its beach and seafront, picturesque villagegreen, gardens and pond as well as the iconic windmill. Thethriving High Street has many new businesses, shops, cafes,restaurants and public houses. www.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk

Famous residentsAt the end of the 19th century, writers, artistsand public figures began tosettle here. Residents haveincluded Sir Edward Burne-

Jones, William Black, LordCarson, Rudyard Kipling, Lady Baldwin, SirWilliam Nicholson, Sir Roderick Jones, AlfredNoyes, Enid Bagnold, Angela Thirkell, Fred Perryand the contemporary, famed folk singing family, the Coppers.

� The WindmillThe windmill is situated on Beacon Hill. It is open to the public on National Milldays and every 3rd Sunday from May toSeptember between 2.00-4.30pm. TheWindmill is maintained by the RottingdeanPreservation Society.

� Beacon Hill Nature ReserveAdjacent to the Windmill is a Neolithic long barrow dating backto at least 4000 years BC, discovered in 1995 by an aerialsurvey. The Local Nature Reserve on Beacon Hill is looked after

by a Working Group to preserve the flora,fauna and ecology of the Downs. It offerswonderful views of the South Downs, villageand sea. This too has received Gold Awardsfrom the S&SE in Bloom Competition.www.rottingdean-pc.gov.uk/beacon_hill

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Village historyThe village developed from neolithic times around the pondopposite the church as a small farming community. Thevillage’s name translates as ‘the valley of Rota’s people’. Afterthe Battle of Hastings, Rottingdean was given as a reward toWilliam de Warenne, the Lord of Lewes in acknowledgement ofhis support to William the Conqueror.

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12Originally the Vicarage and renamed by Sir William Nicholson, The Grange nowcontains a PublicLibrary and an ArtGallery. There is apermanent Museumof the history ofRottingdean and its

famous residents and a garden café.

� Our Lady of Lourdes ChurchOur Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church,consecrated in 1958, is situated inWhiteway Lane. The catholic presencein the village began with the arrival ofthe dispossessed Sisters of St.Marthafrom France in 1903 who established theconvent of Our Lady of Lourdes, now situated on the west sideof the Green. www.ourladyoflourdesandstpatricks.co.uk

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� St Margaret’s ChurchThe Parish Church was originally built duringthe Saxon era with a tower being added bythe Normans. In 1377 villagers sought refugefrom French pirates and some died when thechurch was torched. It contains many

stained glass windows from the 19thcentury including 7 designed by Burne-Jones and made by the firmMorris & Co. www.stmargaret.org.uk

10� North End HouseA blue plaque identifiesthe former holidayhome of Sir EdwardBurne-Jones. Laterresidents included theauthor of National

Velvet, Enid Bagnold and her husband, head ofReuters, Sir Roderick Jones. www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk

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The Gap, Cliffs & Undercliff

www.rottingdeanpreservationsociety.org.uk

www.rottingdeanpreservationsociety.org.uk

� The Grange, Gallery, Museum & Library6

A fascinating Sussex village by the sea

Visit historic

www.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk

Near the City of Brighton and HoveOnce visited - never forgotten

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Places to stay in RottingdeanA list of places to stay in Rottingdean is atwww.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk/accommodation

Eating & drinkingThere are numerous interesting places to eat & drink in thevillage, including cafes, restaurants, public houses and anhotel. There are also many beautiful spots to picnic on TheDowns, The Green, Kipling Gardens, cliff top or beaches. www.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk/eating-drinking

ShoppingA mixed array of independent shops serve locals and visitorswith antique curios, bakers, butchers, charity goods, fashion,florists, greengrocers, gifts & cards, hardware, pet supplies,jewellery & accessories, chemist, picture framing, tailoring &alterations and wedding wear. There are also conveniencestores, galleries, hairdressers, beauty salons, health club,gym, a veterinary, natural health clinics and dentists.www.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk/shopping

ServicesThe village provides the visitor with a range of services, ATMs,Bank, Building Society, Post Office etc. For further details visitwww.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk/directory

The artsRottingdean has long been associated with the arts and stillhas a thriving and vibrant artistic community. Venues includeThe Terraces Stage, the Village Public Hall, The WilliamNicholson Gallery at the Grange, St.Margaret’s Church, theWhiteway Centre, and the Bistro Gourmand cafe. For information visit www.rottingdeanarts.org.uk,www.rwc.org.uk

Rottingdean Parish CouncilRPC, the only Parish Council in the city, meets monthly.www.rottingdean-pc.gov.uk

LocationRottingdean is situated in East Sussex on the south coast ofEngland between Brighton and Newhaven.

HOW TO FIND US - A few minutes from Brighton city centre,just over 45 minutes from Gatwick Airport and 90 minutes fromLondon by road.

BUSES - Frequent buses along the A259 coast road fromBrighton, Newhaven, Seaford and Eastbourne serveRottingdean. The Coaster 12 route runs up to every 10 minutesbetween Brighton and Eastbourne. Routes 12/12A. 13X, 14/14c,27 and 47 link Rottingdean with Brighton Station. The 2/2Atake a scenic route from the city over The Downs at Brighton’sRace Course and Woodingdean terminating in Rottingdean.www.buses.co.uk/travel/services.aspx

BY TRAIN - Brighton Station has regular trains to London andall other major towns in the region www.nationalrail.co.uk

CARS - From Brighton follow the coast road east past the Marinaand Roedean. From the A23, take the A27 towards Lewes, exitat Sussex University for Falmer following B2123 south towardsthe A259. There are 3 Pay & Display Car Parks (see map).

CYCLISTS & WALKERS - Access Rottingdean from the coast onthe undercliff or the picturesque cliff top path, which is Route 2of the National Cycle Network www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/rottingdean-to-shoreham-port

Annual Key EventsJanuary • Drama Society Pantomime – Village Hall –

8 performances over 2 weeksFebruary • Rottingdean Arts opening concert – Village HallMarch • Rottingdean Arts Spring Music Festival April • Drama Society play – 5 performances – Village HallMay • St. Margaret’s Church Fair – early May Bank Holiday

• The Windmill – open every third Sunday, May toSeptember inclusive plus National Mills days.

• Brighton Festival – Artists Open Houses • Cricket Club Car Boot sale – late May Bank Holiday

June • Rottingdean & Saltdean Lions Club Fayre – VillageGreen, Saturday after second Monday

• Our Lady of Lourdes Church Summer Fair – church grounds

• Rottingdean Arts weekend performances to mid August – Terraces Stage

• Kipling Festival – mid June to early JulyJuly • Drama Society play – 5 performances – Village Hall

• Summer Smugglers Events – The lower Terraces andUndercliff Walk

August • Village Fair – 1st Saturday – Village Green • Cricket Week – Village Cricket Ground• Rottingdean Jazz Festival – Bank Holiday weekend –various venues

• Cricket Club Car Boot Sale – Bank Holiday MondaySeptember • South & South East in Bloom and

Brighton in Bloom AwardsOctober • Drama Society play – 5 performances – Village HallNovember • Remembrance Day services at the War Memorials

• St. Margaret’s Church Market – Village Hall• Rottingdean Arts closing concert – Village Hall• Christmas Craft & Gift Fair – Village Hall

December • Smuggler’s Night – 1st Saturday also• Lions Club Evening Auction• Inter ‘Pubs’ Sporting Trophy – Boxing Day – outsideYe Olde Black Horse and at the village pond

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Further informationFor up to date information on village events and activities visitwww.rottingdeanvillage.org.uk/diary

All listed buildings in the village can be found atwww.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/brighton+and+hove/rottingdean

The Whiteway CentreThe community centre provides a range of daytime andevening Adult Education and Leisure classes. All rooms areavailable for hire, including birthday parties and weddingreceptions. For information visit www.rwc.org.uk