London Road (Patcham)

James Gray: This [the Preston horse-bus] operated from Castle Square along London Road and Preston Circus until just short of Clermont Road, then the northern boundary of Brighton. Here the bus is at rest facing south. It is standing outside the present 247 and 249 Preston Road, while the house with the tall chimneys is clearly identifiable as 251. Period about 1908. jgc_18_223

James Gray: Fitzherbert Lodge – Number 257. jgc_18_245

2018: 257 Preston Road today. The right-hand gate has been removed, widening the entrance to the driveway. Apart from that, there is very little change to the exterior of the building.  (Photographer: Jane Jordan)

James Gray: Continuing this sequence, here are the last four houses before reaching the pre 1928 northern boundary of Brighton. This photograph shows Tower House, since 1928  within Brighton. Tower House, an elegant mansion, was built in 1902 and in recent years has been converted to flats. It stands still at the start of London Road, Patcham. jgc_18_247

James Gray: Tivoli was a large Edwardian House, lately used as a Residential Home for Brighton Corporation but demolished in 1988. The Towergate redevelopment is taking place over this extensive area. Both Tower House and Tivoli were built in the site of Tivoli Gardens. jgc_18_248

James Gray: This photograph of about 1920 shows Patcham Fountain and the bus terminus with a large house beyond partly hidden by the trees. In those days the open Tilling bus ran straight from Patcham to Castle Square but no further. jgc_35_013

James Gray: Taken from west of the village, in 1921, this photograph shows in the foreground the walled gardens that were swept away when the bypass road was driven through here in 1925. The houses in London Road facing the camera are little changed to this day. The large house to the right of the church is Churchfields, and bungalows have only recently been built in the meadow below. jgc_35_042

James Gray: This photograph of 9 February 1936, looks from Patcham Place across London Road to the vacant land on which later were built the houses of Court Close. Note the cottages of Church Hill and Patcham Court Farm. jgc_35_057

James Gray: As is well known this fine house was erected in the early part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and was for long the residence of the Stapley family. Famous for its black mathematical tiles, it was acquired by Brighton Council in 1926 for only £6600, surely one of the best bargains ever made by the Corporation. I have no idea when the photographs were taken, but as there is no sign of the high wall which formerly enclosed the estate, doubtless both are of recent origin. jgc_35_072

James Gray: As is well known this fine house was erected in the early part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and was for long the residence of the Stapley family. Famous for its black mathematical tiles, it was acquired by Brighton Council in 1926 for only £6600, surely one of the best bargains ever made by the Corporation. I have no idea when the photographs were taken, but as there is no sign of the high wall which formerly enclosed the estate, doubtless both are of recent origin. jgc_35_073

James Gray: Not an uncommon photograph but one that clearly shows the large house which preceded the Black Lion Hotel and which remained until 1928. jgc_35_074

2019: The house on the original image was converted into the Black Lion Hotel when the first Patcham bypass was constructed in 1926.

James Gray: The Old Tollgate House, of which another and older view (jgc_35_077) is on an adjoining page. This fine building finished its life as the mortuary and was removed in 1934. Date of photograph – 28 May 1933. To the right, London Road. To the left, Waterhall Road leads to the railway arch. jgc_35_076

James Gray: Looking south towards Patcham Village. Period about 1870. On the left can be seen Patcham Church and the hedgerow from the gate is roughly the site of the present Vale Avenue. The house on the right was the old Toll Gate House, though there is no record of when the toll gate was removed. A large private house then stood where the Black Lion Hotel is now. Additional Information: Horse and carriage with passengers. jgc_35_077

James Gray: London Road, at the Vale Avenue – Mill Road crossing at the comparatively recent year of 1956! It is hard to recall that there was so little traffic about then. The view is southwards towards Brighton. jgc_35_080

2019: The original image was impossible to recreate.

James Gray: At the time of this photograph, taken in 1966, there was still no talk of a bypass. Now (1990) this is a scene of desolation, the houses have gone and road works abound. jgc_35_082

2019: The scene is much the same now.

James Gray: Believe it or not this is where the Mill Road traffic lights are today. The photograph shows the country road and footpath in 1900, quite wide enough then for the limited horse traffic of the period. The cottage was for many years the tollgate keeper’s cottage. jgc_35_084

2019: The original image was impossible to recreate.

James Gray: The scene during the widening on the east side, by East Sussex County Council, in 1921. The road was not then within the Borough boundaries. jgc_35_085

James Gray: No comment on this photograph, as it is merely a copy of the sepia original seen on another page.(jgc_35_077). jgc_35_087

2019: No comment. (Photographer: Chris Nichols)

James Gray: The view north along London Road, Patcham, from the corner of Waterhall Road, about 1930. Brighton Corporation had recently halted sporadic development along this busy road after this area was absorbed into the Borough in 1928. jgc_35_088

James Gray: The view southwards along a very narrow London Road outside Patcham, in 1914. Taken on the straight stretch of road between the Pylons and Braypool playing field. On the skyline, farm buildings on Sweet Hill. jgc_35_090

James Gray: A private coach and four headed north along a very narrow London Road Patcham, just south of the present Pylons, about 1910. Driving the team was Mr Harry Young, the owner of Withdean Grange. jgc_35_100

2019: A view of a much busier road today, taken from the lay-by south of the Pylons marking the borough boundary. (Photographer: Chris Nichols)