Saltdean

Saltdean

Looking towards Saltdean from the cliff top
Saltdean
 Saltdean shown within East Sussex
DistrictLewes (East Saltdean), Brighton and Hove (West Saltdean)
Unitary authorityLewes (East Saltdean), Brighton and Hove (West Saltdean)
Ceremonial countyEast Sussex
RegionSouth East
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town BRIGHTON
Postcode district BN2
Dialling code 01273
Police Sussex
Fire East Sussex
Ambulance South East Coast
EU Parliament South East England
UK ParliamentBrighton Kemptown
List of places
UK
England
East Sussex

Coordinates: 50°48′11″N 0°02′28″W / 50.8030°N 0.0411°W / 50.8030; -0.0411

Saltdean is a coastal village and 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. It is bordered by farmland and the South Downs National Park.

History

Saltdean was open farmland, originally a part of the village of Rottingdean, and almost uninhabited until 1924 when land was sold off for speculative housing and property development. Some of this was promoted by entrepreneur Charles W. Neville, who had set up a company to develop the site (he also eventually built nearby towns Peacehaven and parts of Rottingdean).[1]

Saltdean has a mainly shingle beach, fronted by a promenade, the Undercliff Walk, which can be reached directly from the cliff top, by steps from the coast road, or by a subway tunnel from the nearby Lido. The buildings nearest the beach are the most 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 community centre, which includes a public library and iconic open air swimming-pool, designed by architect R.W.H. Jones. He also designed other buildings in the area, including the former Grand Ocean Hotel, built using Art Deco 'ocean liner' architecture.[2]

Saltdean is now a prosperous village suburb of the city of Brighton and Hove, whilst its eastern side is administratively part of the neighbouring Lewes District Council.

Geography

Saltdean is situated by the sea in a 'Dean' (Saxon/Old English for 'dry valley'), with the surrounding hills of the South Downs National Park forming a large central dip and valley where the oval shaped Saltdean Park and Lido are located, looking out over the nearby sea.

The roads and avenues radiate out in wide oval curves from the park in order to follow the contours of the local topography. The plan of the village was designed from inception to vary considerably from neighbouring Peacehaven's more grid-like system.

Education

Saltdean Primary School is the only school. There is a library in the Lido building.

Sport and leisure

Saltdean has a Non-League football club Saltdean United F.C. who play at Hill Park. It also has tennis courts, outdoor bowls green and skate park all situated on Saltdean Oval. A sea swimming group meets weekly on the beach and holds traditional Boxing Day and New Year's Day swims.

Cultural references

Saltdean is referenced in the chapter "The Sensational Sage of the Saltdean Stallion" of the fantasy novel The Brightonomicon.The book "Poems from a Cave in Saltdean" (2010) makes reference to local geography.

The changing landscape of Saltdean in the 20th century is referenced in the song "'Ouses, 'Ouses, 'Ouses" on the album "The Imagined Village" on Real World Records. The song was co-written by John Copper, the sixth generation of his family to sing songs about Sussex, and reminisces about his grandfather's experience as a shepherd in the area.

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "Beginning of Saltdean Today". Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  2. ↑ Douglas D'Enno (1985). The Saltdean story. Phillimore. ISBN 0-85033-573-6.
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