James Gray: This gives a glimpse of the large house, Withdean Court, standing well back from the road. This is one of the oldest houses in this district, having been built in the 1860s. It was occupied for many years by Lady Ogle and her family and the grounds extended to the south over Withdean Court Avenue and to the north as far as Tongdean Lane. We now know it as Pantzer Mansions. The other two houses are modern and were built in 1930. jgc_18_231
James Gray: During the closing years of the last century several large houses were built along Preston Road, between Clermont Road and Withdean Farm. They stood in extensive grounds, with wide frontages and long back gardens reaching back almost to the railway line. Some have been demolished, but several still remain. Here are photographs of two such houses, since removed.
James Gray: Looking north from the corner of Peacock Lane in 1966 before the rash of flats had obliterated the attractive bungalows that lined this stretch of road. jgc_34_016
2018: Nineteenth century houses and twentieth century bungalows have given way to blocks of flats. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: The entrance gates to Beechwood. jgc_34_018
2018: What a contrast. Apart from the base of the original wall with its brick piers still showing (one can be seen on the other side of the crossing), there is very little to connect the two images. Beechwood was demolished to make way for this estates of flats adorned with a row of communal rubbish bins. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: The entrance gates to Leahurst. This and the previous photograph [jgc_34_018] date from the late 1950s. jgc_34_019
2018: All that is left of the Victorian house and gardens is the base of the wall with its brick piers. Elms Hurst, formerly The Laurels, stood between Withdean Grange (see jgc_24_022) to the north and Beechwood (see jgc_34_005, 007, 018 and 020) to the south. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: Yet another of the large private houses in this part of London Road which have now passed into oblivion. This was Tramore, a house that stood between Leahurst and Withdean Grange, on the west side. As its appearance suggests, it was built more recently than its neighbours, in the 1890s in fact, and with its extremely narrow frontage, no doubt in land taken from one of the adjoining gardens. Formerly hidden from view from London Road by high trees, it is shown here from the main drive of the Leahurst Court Flats, on 2 March 1969. It has since been demolished. jgc_34_028
James Gray: These two photographs [jgc_34_030 and jgc_34_031] show quite clearly the effect of the widening of the roadway in this area. This view shows the road further north, approaching Withdean Hall. 12 June 1978. jgc_34_031
2018: The sign for the The Approach that leads to Withdean Hall is on the right.
James Gray: Originally called Hartford Lodge, it was built during the 1860s. Like all the neighbouring villas, it stood well back from the London Road and had a lengthy back garden that ended in a tennis court. In recent years the name was changed to Cliveden, and in 1935 when London Road was widened, the pavement was brought up almost to the Lodge, as seen here. jgc_34_035
James Gray: Originally called Hartford Villa, it was built during the 1860s. Like all the neighbouring villas, it stood well back from the London Road and had a lengthy back garden that ended in a tennis court. In recent years the name was changed to Cliveden, and in 1935, when London Road was widened, the pavement was brought up almost to the Lodge, as seen here. jgc_34_036
James Gray: A view of the Lodge and gardens. jgc_34_009
2018: Five blocks of flats known as Cliveden Court were built on the extensive site of Withdean Lodge and the adjacent Cliveden. The house stood roughly where the garages that serve Cliveden Court now stand. In fact the unusual superstructure on the gatehouse remains as a room (not a greenhouse).
James Gray: This view was taken between 1933 and 1935, shortly before the widening. The entrance to the grounds [of Cliveden] was through the second pair of gates on the right and the Lodge was well back hidden among the trees. jgc_34_037
2019: The lodge to Hartford Villa (Cliveden) on the far right of the 2019 image (see also jgc_34_035) became exposed to what is now a very busy road following road widening. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: This in turn was about 75 yards to the north of Effingham Lodge, and was the last of the three large houses and gardens purchased by Brighton Council so that the whole area could be redeveloped as a single entity. From 1954 onwards the Corporation gradually acquired these houses and spare land behind, at a reputed cost in total of £131,850. They are said to have sold the entire site for more than a million pounds, so it is no wonder that these are known as the ‘Golden Acres.’ The small lodge stood within a few yards of the main London Road. jgc_34_082
James Gray: Withdean Grange, the north façade. Formerly called Terrick Cottage, built in the 1870s and now demolished. Replaced by the building – Post Office Telecommunications Centre. jgc_34_022
2018: The site is still occupied by BT (British Telecom) and so it is difficult to replicate the location of Gray’s image without gaining full access to the complex. The arrow on the accompanying map shows the former location of Withdean Grange. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: Looking from the London Road towards the corner house on the south side of Tongdean Lane, 29 October 1967. This house originally called Four Gables, but latterly 1 Tongdean Lane, was built in 1927, when the area was outside Brighton Borough. Land then being cheap it had an extensive garden on which after the removal of the house in 1968 a large block of flats is now being built. Incidentally the first house to be built in Tongdean Lane below the railway line was Bankside, in 1925, now No 9. jgc_34_111
James Gray: Two photographs [see also jgc_34_113 above] of 1960 showing buildings associated with the main house. Above, the Lodge situated near the entrance gate, which can just be seen in a previous photograph [jgc_34_107 below]. jgc_34_112
James Gray: This large house [Withdean Court] was for many years the home of Lady Ogle, who inherited the Withdean Estates from her parents, the Roe family. It was built about 1860. In Lady Ogle’s time there was a school and a chapel in an adjoining field. jgc_34_107
James Gray: The Model T Ford was standing at the foot of Surrenden Crescent, at the junction with London Road, in 1924. At this time there were just eight houses in the Crescent, midway on the north side, one of which dated from before 1914. The white gate gave access to the large field seen in the other photographs. This field is now the public open space between Surrenden Crescent and Peacock Lane. jgc_34_105
2019: Surrenden Crescent is now built up, apart from the field to the left which is now known as Surrenden Field. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: Copies of photographs at least 100 years old and therefore somewhat blemished. The pond seen above left is that shown in the photograph [jgc_34_115] on the previous page. In this photograph is the barn and other buildings of Withdean Home Farm which were not removed until 1961 and are seen on many more modern photographs. jgc_34_116
2019: Tongdean Lane can be seen coming in from the left of the original James Gray picture. London Road has been widened and the pond on the right, not left, is now under the road. The Park Apartments stand on the site of Withdean Home Farm, while the west side of London Road beyond has also seen the development of more blocks of flats. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: A recent photograph of the original Tongdean Lane, but which is now just a track leading to a pair of houses. jgc_34_122
2019: The original Tongdean Lane, the right hand gateway, is the access road to The Park Mews, behind The Park Apartments on the left of the new picture. The house on the right, Karibu, is just visible through the now mature trees. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: The narrow road in 1912, at the spot where Tongdean Lane now joins the busy London Road. See succeeding pages for a more detailed explanation. jgc_34_125
2019: This view was taken north of the junction of Tongdean Lane. The pre-railway junction was by the lamp post in the middle distance. The telegraph pole stands at the bottom of Peacock Lane. London Road has been widened and the wall on the right has gone. The Park Apartments stand on the site of Withdean Home Farm, the barn of which is visible on the left. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: Two old houses in London Road, one of which has gone though the other remains. The Priory, built in 1882. Photographed in 1971 and since removed as part of a large flats development scheme. jgc_34_134
2020: The block of flats on the site today is called The Priory. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: A much older house, Karibu. With adjoining house, Tabora, both dating from the eighteenth century, it had been threatened with demolition, but wiser counsels have prevailed and for the time being the houses have been spared. Date of photograph – January 1969. jgc_34_135
James Gray: Described as ‘Cottage formerly Grove Lodge, Withdean 1950.’ I am a little bemused by this as a similar building still stands facing Clermont Road. jgc_34_017
2019: This house, seen in jgc_34_135 and jgc_34_17, is Karibu, not Grove Lodge. Identical details include the twisted tree trunk in front and the windows. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: The conversion of this area from one of small houses and bungalows to large flats had proceeded apace when these photographs [jgc_34_146 and jgc_34_147] were taken on 18 May 1974. Developers had bought the three bungalows, but the owner of the house would not sell, so that flats across the entire frontage could not be built. Since then the bungalows to the right have been demolished, but the house and the other bungalows remain. A smaller block of flats will be built on the cleared site. jgc_34_146
James Gray: These are some of the last photographs of the farm buildings and cottages that stood for nearly two centuries at the junction of Tongdean Lane and London Road [see also jgc_34_131 on the Tongdean Lane page]. The main area of the farm was beyond the railway on the ground sloping up towards Patcham Windmill. The cottages shown were known as Western Withdean Cottages. The buildings were last used as farm buildings by Belgravia Dairy Company. jgc_34_130
James Gray: View across London Road, toward Tongdean Lane, and showing the cleared site of the old barn, and farm cottages, in 1961. The block of flats known as Tongdean Court now covers this empty site. jgc_34_136
2019: The flats on the site are now called The Park Apartments. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: Another view up the London Road at about the same date [as jgc_34_096]. This photograph looks north along the old London Road, from the entrance to Withdean Hall. Across the road, the house still standing was then the Lodge of Miramichi, by the access road to the present Cedars Gardens. jgc_34_097
James Gray: The Lodge of Withdean Hall. This house still stands (1978), as does the Lodge, seen in this photograph taken on 25 June 1978. jgc_34_098
James Gray: The entrance gates to the Lodge of Withdean Hall. This house still stands (1978), as does the Lodge, seen in photograph jgc_34_098 taken on 25 June 1978. The chief difference is the width of London Road. Originally the road was about two thirds of its present width. Widening, during the 1920s and early 1930s, took place on the east side, resulting in the loss of several feet from the garden frontage. jgc_34_096
James Gray: 100 yards further north and hidden behind the trees on the right stood this old barn with its outside staircase. It was a few yards beyond Withdean Drove (Peacock Lane). Under the tree to the left is the railway embankment. Photographed March 1931. Demolished 1936. Additional Information: Note the two old farm wagons. jgc_34_126
James Gray: The conversion of this area from one of small houses and bungalows to large flats had proceeded apace when these photographs [jgc_34_146 and 147] were taken on 18 May 1974. Developers had bought the three bungalows, but the owner of the house would not sell, so that flats across the entire frontage could not be built. Since then the bungalows to the right have been demolished, but the house and the other bungalows remain. A smaller block of flats will be built on the cleared site. jgc_34_147
James Gray: See caption for jgc_34_147 above.This photograph shows the rear view from the railway, which was taken in November 1958. jgc_34_148
2019: All these buildings have now been replaced by blocks of flats including Lilac Court, The Excelsior and Mandalay Court. The block under construction is Mandalay Court. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: Old cottages, and behind them, farm buildings stretching back to the railway embankment. The farmlands extended westwards from the railway to the Dyke Road. For many years in the occupation of Hole’s Dairies, the buildings were derelict when these photographs were taken on 24 September 1961. They were demolished at the end of 1963 and flats are to be built on the cleared site. jgc_34_149, jgc_34_150 and jgc_34_151
James Gray: Farm buildings which were hidden from view by the cottages seen on the previous page [jgc_34_149, 150 and 151], photographed in 1934. They ran from west to east, the building at the extreme right being hard up against the railway embankment. jgc_34_152
James Gray: Four more photographs of the cottages and farm buildings taken during 1960 [jgc_34_153, 154, 155, 156]. The following corrections and additions to the information given on previous pages should be made. There were three, not two houses, the largest being the farmhouse and the others workers’ cottages. In the last years, the area was occupied by Sidney Holes Electric Vehicles Ltd. (Withdean Works). Bourne Court Flats now stand there. Withdean farmhouse and cottages seen from front and rear. It can be seen that the house was much larger than the cottages and may even have been a later addition. Certainly the rooves were quite dissimilar. jgc_34_153 and jgc_34_154
James Gray: This is one of the most remarkable photographs in my collection. It might have been taken in the heart of the country. In fact, Mr W Cornish, the photographer, described it as ‘lane scene near Brighton’. After some research I realised that the pond was that which adjoined the main London Road at Withdean, about 70 yards south of Withdean Drove (now Peacock Lane). When considered with the photographs on the following page, showing the barns and the significant bend in the road, it is established that the pond faced the existing Tongdean Lane and is on the spot where the fountain stood from 1897 until the 1920s (see views on nearby pages). The year 1897 may be when the wall was built to screen the pond from the road as traffic increased, but this is mere speculation. Through the trees there is a glimpse of the wall at the rear of the farmhouse. Period of photograph – 1860s. Additional Information: The original stereoscopic view by William Cornish. jgc_34_115
James Gray: [See jgc_34_115 above] Additional Information: This is a copy of the [following] stereoscopic view. jgc_34_114
James Gray: Western Withdean cottages photographed from the foot of Peacock Lane, at some time in the 1930s. jgc_34_128
2020: The site is now occupied by The Park Apartments. (Photographer: Helen Glass)
James Gray: Two photographs of London Road, Withdean [and following]. Taken at almost the same spot, they date from Summer 1907, and Winter 1910, respectively. On the right can be seen the entrances to houses then known as Hatch Beauchamp and Fircroft, just beyond Varndean Road. jgc_34_046
James Gray: Two photographs of London Road, Withdean [and previous]. Taken at almost the same spot, they date from summer 1907, and winter 1910, respectively. On the right can be seen the entrances to houses then known as Hatch Beauchamp and Fircroft, just beyond Varndean Road. Widening carried out here in the mid 1920s has altered this road out of all recognition. jgc_34_047
2020: The road has changed from a quiet leafy lane to the busy A23 we know today. Hatch Beauchamp and Fir Croft have been demolished. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: In the late 1850s, or early 1860s, three large houses were built lying well back from the main London Road, and to the north of Varndean Road. They were named Fircroft, Effingham Lodge and Laine House and are still called these today, a century later. Two of the houses are now owned by Brighton Corporation, Fircroft being empty and very dilapidated. Effingham Lodge is let on a short lease but Laine House is still in private occupation though the Corporation has an option to purchase it later when available. All three houses have extensive gardens both at front and rear while behind is a stretch of land, three and a half acres in all, bought by the Corporation in 1954. jgc_34_048
James Gray: Close up view of the entrance to the driveway [of Fir Croft] and the unoccupied lodge. jgc_34_050
2020: This entrance and lodge have been removed. The other lodge remains to the south. The tree is the one on the left of the new photo. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)
James Gray: This is the most interesting of these three photographs. It dates from about 1907, and shows the narrow road just where the turn into the broad Carden Avenue is today. The two large houses, at the right, Herons Croft and Devonia are still there, now used for social services purposes, as is the tree just by the children which was by the entrance to the Priory, a house now demolished, seen on another page. jgc_34_207
2022: Herons Croft and Devonia were replaced by Maycroft Manor care home in the late 1980s. The Priory has been replaced by the block of flats of the same name.
James Gray: The others are only incidental, taken on 11 February 1973. Homeleigh, which can just be seen in the older view, was formerly called Sunnyside, and occupied by author Jeffery Farnol, for many years. jgc_34_208
2022: Homeleigh has been replaced by the block of flats of the same name.
James Gray: This view shows the former Police Cottages, built by Steyning East Rural District Council in the early years of this century. Additional Information: It is more likely that these buildings date from the 1870s. jgc_34_209
2022: The former Police Cottages have been replaced by Brangwyn Court flats.
James Gray: This and the previous photograph, jgc_34_006, taken from the extensive garden of Beechwood show the large area, which was available for the flats, which were later built here to replace the mansions. jgc_34_007
James Gray: Three of the Victorian houses which were a feature of Withdean in the days of not so long ago. Beechwood, of which full details are given with previous photographs. Period 1st World War. Additional Information: “Mrs Vokins entertains our brave wounded at Beechwood.” jgc_ 34_020
2019: Curwen Place was most likely driven along the east-west boundary between Leahurst and Beechwood. (Photographer: Bill Kocher)