Saltdean
Encyclopedia
Saltdean is a residential district located on the chalk cliffs of the south coast of England
in East Sussex
, United Kingdom
. It is situated on the eastern edge of the city of Brighton and Hove, with part (known as East Saltdean) outside the city boundary in Lewes
district. Saltdean is approximately 5 miles east of central Brighton
, 5 miles west of Newhaven
, and 6 miles south of Lewes
.
, and almost uninhabited, until the 1920s, when land was sold off for speculative building. Some of this was promoted by Charles W. Neville, who also masterminded development at nearby Peacehaven
. It has a mainly shingle beach, fronted by a promenade, the Undercliff Walk, which can be reached by steps from the clifftop. The buildings nearest the coastline are architecturally varied, and include some influenced by international trends of the inter-war years, e.g. Bauhaus
and Cubism
, and there are some which are Spanish-influenced. The most famous building is the Saltdean Lido
or swimming-pool, whose architect was R.W.H. Jones
, and the former Ocean Hotel, once part of Butlins
, based on the appearance of mid-20th century ocean liners, is also noteworthy. Saltdean is now a prosperous village suburb of the city of Brighton and Hove, though its eastern fringe is administratively part of the neighbouring Lewes District Council.
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is situated on the eastern edge of the city of Brighton and Hove, with part (known as East Saltdean) outside the city boundary in Lewes
Lewes (district)
Lewes is a local government district in East Sussex in southern England covering an area of , with of coastline. It is named after its administrative centre, Lewes. Other towns in the district include Newhaven, Peacehaven, and Seaford. Plumpton racecourse is within the district...
district. Saltdean is approximately 5 miles east of central Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, 5 miles west of Newhaven
Newhaven, East Sussex
Newhaven is a town in the Lewes District of East Sussex in England. It lies at the mouth of the River Ouse, on the English Channel coast, and is a ferry port for services to France.-Origins:...
, and 6 miles south of Lewes
Lewes
Lewes is the county town of East Sussex, England and historically of all of Sussex. It is a civil parish and is the centre of the Lewes local government district. The settlement has a history as a bridging point and as a market town, and today as a communications hub and tourist-oriented town...
.
Brief history and description
Saltdean was open farmland belonging to the village of RottingdeanRottingdean
Rottingdean is a coastal village next to the town of Brighton and technically within the city of Brighton and Hove, in East Sussex, on the south coast of England...
, and almost uninhabited, until the 1920s, when land was sold off for speculative building. Some of this was promoted by Charles W. Neville, who also masterminded development at nearby Peacehaven
Peacehaven
Peacehaven is a town and civil parish in the Lewes district of East Sussex, England. It is located above the chalk cliffs of the South Downs approximately six miles east of Brighton city centre, on the A259 road...
. It has a mainly shingle beach, fronted by a promenade, the Undercliff Walk, which can be reached by steps from the clifftop. The buildings nearest the coastline are architecturally varied, and include some influenced by international trends of the inter-war years, e.g. Bauhaus
Bauhaus
', commonly known simply as Bauhaus, was a school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts, and was famous for the approach to design that it publicized and taught. It operated from 1919 to 1933. At that time the German term stood for "School of Building".The Bauhaus school was founded by...
and Cubism
Cubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
, and there are some which are Spanish-influenced. The most famous building is the Saltdean Lido
Saltdean Lido
Saltdean Lido at Saltdean Park Road, Saltdean, in the city of Brighton and Hove, is an Art Deco Lido designed by architect R.W.H. Jones. Originally listed at Grade II by English Heritage for its architectural and historical importance, its status was upgraded further to Grade II* on 18 March...
or swimming-pool, whose architect was R.W.H. Jones
R.W.H. Jones
Richard William Herbert Jones was the architect responsible for the design of the Art Deco Saltdean Lido and the Saltdean Grand Ocean Hotel.In addition, he was responsible for the design of residential properties in Saltdean including:...
, and the former Ocean Hotel, once part of Butlins
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
, based on the appearance of mid-20th century ocean liners, is also noteworthy. Saltdean is now a prosperous village suburb of the city of Brighton and Hove, though its eastern fringe is administratively part of the neighbouring Lewes District Council.
Cultural references
Saltdean is referenced in the chapter "The Sensational Sage of the Saltdean Stallion" of the fantasy novel The BrightonomiconThe Brightonomicon
The Brightonomicon is a novel by British Fantasy author Robert Rankin, the title parodying that of the fictional grimoire the Necronomicon from the Cthulhu Mythos. The author lives in Brighton and the book is set in an accurate depiction of the city...
.
Notable People
- Glenn FabryGlenn FabryGlenn Fabry is an Eisner Award-winning British comics artist known for his detailed, realistic work in both ink and painted colour.-Biography:...
, comics artist. - John AvonJohn AvonJohn Avon is a fantasy and science fiction illustrator. His work has been used for book covers, CD covers, games, toys and advertising campaigns.. He is best known for his artworks for the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, of which he has produced over 200 paintings.-Biography:Jonathan...
, illustrator. - George RobeyGeorge RobeySir George Edward Wade , better known by his stage name, George Robey, was an English music hall comedian and star. He was marketed as the "Prime Minister of Mirth".-Early life:...
, music hall comedian
External links
- Saltdean Community Centre - information and resources website
- Community information website
- Parish Church of St Nicholas
- Aerial photographs of Saltdean
- Guide to Saltdean House Prices in The ArgusThe Argus (Brighton)The Argus is a local newspaper based in Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, with editions serving the city of Brighton and Hove and the other parts of both East and West Sussex.-History:...