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
Four Mid Sussex District Council parks receive coveted Green Flag Award
Mid Sussex District Council announces that four parks in the District have received Green Flag Awards after achieving an international quality mark for parks and green spaces. East Court and Ashplats Park in East [...]
Contemporary creativity meets Arts and Crafts heritage at Standen
This summer, Standen launches a vibrant new partnership with Sussex Contemporary, bringing an ambitious exhibition and programme of events that celebrate the enduring influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. Inspired by Standen: The [...]
Meridian Rotary reaches £25,000 target for cancer equipment
Fantastic news from East Grinstead Meridian Rotary. Following conversations with many East Grinstead residents who have been treated for cancer at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford, fundraising efforts to raise money for new [...]
East Grinstead UK Town of Culture Update
East Grinstead Town Council has today learned that the town has not been shortlisted in the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 competition. With an incredible 398 expressions of interest submitted [...]
WHATS ON IN EAST GRINSTEAD
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POPULAR TOURIST HOT SPOTS
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 [...]
Jubilee Drinking Water Fountain
The Jubilee Drinking Water Fountain The Jubilee drinking water fountain in East Grinstead High Street was a gift from Rev. C H Payne Crawfurd and was erected in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden [...]
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 [...]
McIndoe Memorial Statue
On Monday 9 June 2014, after 3 years of hard work and fundraising by the Steering Committee, Martin Jennings’ statue in memorial to Sir Archibald McIndoe...
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.
