Varndean Drive

James Gray: The stables, at the rear of the house [Effingham Lodge].  jgc_34_075

2019: See jgc_34_076 below. (Photographer: Jane Southern)

James Gray: The stables, at the rear of the house [Effingham Lodge]. jgc_34_076

2019: The site of the stable behind Effingham Lodge is to the north (left) of Varndean Drive, behind the red car seen in the 2019 image. The houses facing the photographer are in Walnut Close. (Photographer: Jane Southern)

James Gray: This photograph shows the entrance to the large garden of Effingham Lodge. At the period of the photograph it was badly neglected and overgrown. From the east, looking down the garden to the back of the house, with the houses of Withdean on the skyline. jgc_34_077

James Gray: This photograph shows the entrance to the large garden of Effingham Lodge. At the period of the photograph it was badly neglected and overgrown. Looking north to the boundary wall, with the adjoining house, Laine House beyond. jgc_34_078

James Gray: The entrance to the large garden [of Effingham Lodge]. At the period of the photograph it was badly neglected and overgrown. jgc_34_079

2019: The flint wall in the 1969 image was along the boundary of an orchard which was east of Effingham Lodge and Laine House. In 2019 Nos 2-10 (evens) Holly Close are just west of the site of the wall. To take the 2019 image the photographer stood where the path around the orchard appears from the 1952 OS map to have ended, which is a few yards east of the junction of Varndean Drive, Holly Close and Walnut Close, and looked north west. The backs of Nos 7, 5, 3 and 1 (from left to right) Walnut Close can be seen across Varndean Drive. (Photographer: Jane Southern) 

James Gray: Laine House 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 south side of the house, looking from rear to front. jgc_34_081

James Gray: Laine House 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.’ Another view of the front of the house. jgc_34_083

James Gray: Behind, that is, to the east of Fircroft, Effingham Lodge and Laine House was a large tract of land, heavily wooded. As it was completely enclosed by the gardens of houses in London Road, Varndean Road, Surrenden Road and Varndean Gardens, it was virtually unknown and inaccessible to Brightonians generally, though they might have caught a glimpse of it in winter from high ground across the Withdean valley.

James Gray: It is not known by the layman to whom this large and valuable area of land belonged and why it was left in this virgin state for a full century after the three houses were built. What seems to be generally accepted is that at the turn of the century the three owners shared the meadowland for grazing their cattle. At that time it was common for a house owner of this station to keep cows to supply the family with milk. The old derelict cowstalls building is seen on the previous page [see jgc_34_089 above]. If the entire area was in single ownership, it most probably belonged to Fircroft as Fircroft Cottage stood on this land. The other meadow, with the trees, was more to the north, separated by a line of trees from the open meadow. jgc_34_092

James Gray: The view towards the south-eastern corner of the land. Hidden behind the trees is Varndean Road and at the extreme right is Fircroft Cottage. jgc_34_093

2019: Seen from the north in the 2019 image, Varndean Drive forks before it meets Varndean Road. Fircoft Cottage stood across the branch seen here on the right. The road in the background is Varndean Road. To the left of the 2019 image the ground has been terraced.  Monterey Court now stands there, which restricts the view to the east. (Photographer: Jane Southern) 

James Gray: Among the trees and shrubs in this same corner was this ornamental lily pool. Although it was in a state of extreme dilapidation when photographed it showed enough of the grace it once must have. jgc_34_094

2019: The site of the pond which used to be in the paddock behind Fircroft House is just behind Monterey Court, Varndean Drive.

James Gray: Looking east through the top end of the long back garden [of Fircroft] to the greenhouse which adjoined the rear boundary wall. Behind this wall, where the tall tree stands, was the spare land [mentioned in my introduction] which extended back for 150 yards. jgc_34_065

2019: The 2019 photograph also faces east. In the long back garden of Fircroft, two blocks of town houses have been built, one either side of Varndean Drive.  (Photographer: Michael Doodson)

James Gray: Close up of the greenhouse, looking south. Within was quite an old established fig tree. jgc_34_066

2019: Varndean Drive goes uphill and then turns abruptly south (see left-hand side of 2019 image) on the approximate spot where the greenhouse stood. (Photographer: Michael Doodson)

James Gray: Two photographs, looking west, from high up in the long back garden about 50 yards beyond the arbour, the wall enclosing which can be seen in both views. On the right was still another glasshouse. There were so many of these to be found in all parts of the garden each serving its own particular area. jgc_34_067

2019: The 2019 photo was taken from the far east end of Varndean Drive, looking west towards London Road. (Photographer: Michael Doodson) 

James Gray: See jgc_34_067. jgc_34_068

2019: For 2019 caption, see jgc_34_067. (Photographer: Michael Doodson) 

James Gray: Photographs of Fircroft Cottage taken on 26 October 1969. The cottage as seen from Varndean Road and its entrance gate. It was separated from Fircroft by about 100 yards and adjoined the large area of vacant ground which ran from south to north behind all three houses. This ground may well have been part of the Fircroft Estate at one time. Access could be gained to it through a gate at the far end of the Fircroft garden. On the other hand I was told that at the turn of the century the three owners of the houses grazed their respective cattle on this land, then mostly meadows and not so wooded as it was later. jgc_34_069

James Gray: Photographs of Fircroft Cottage taken on 26 October 1969. The reverse view. The cottage seen from within the vacant ground and looking towards Varndean Road. The cottage was enclosed in a very small garden behind the high fence. There was no vehicular access between here and Fircroft through this ground so the assumption must be that this was originally the gardener’s cottage since doubtless the house domestic staff lived in. Now, in 1970, the cottage seems to be doomed as the present tenants of the Corporation are under notice and it is likely it will be demolished and a road driven through when comprehensive redevelopment of the whole area of 10 acres takes place in the future. jgc_34_070