# Polegate

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Town in East Sussex, England

Town in England

Polegate Town St John's Church Polegate Location within East Sussex Area 7.3 km2 (2.8 sq mi) [1] Population 9,300 (2021)[1] • Density 2,853/sq mi (1,102/km2) OS grid reference TQ587058 • London 49 miles (79 km) NNW Civil parish Polegate District Wealden Shire county East Sussex Region South East Country England Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town POLEGATE Postcode district BN26 Dialling code 01323 Police Sussex Fire East Sussex Ambulance South East Coast UK Parliament Lewes Website http://www.polegate-tc.co.uk/ List of places UK England East Sussex 50°49′18″N 0°14′39″E / 50.8216°N 0.2442°E / 50.8216; 0.2442

**Polegate** is a town and [civil parish](/source/Civil_parishes_in_England) in the [Wealden](/source/Wealden_District) District of [East Sussex](/source/East_Sussex), England, United Kingdom.[2] It is part of the greater area of [Eastbourne](/source/Eastbourne), which is located around four miles (7 km) south. The 2011 census put the civil parish of Polegate at a population of 8,586, with 41.2% aged 65 and over.[1]

## History

Until the coming of the railways in the 1840s, Polegate was a small settlement within the parish of [Hailsham](/source/Hailsham). The [Roman road](/source/Roman_road) from [Pevensey](/source/Pevensey) to [Lewes](/source/Lewes) passed through here, and the [turnpike](/source/Toll_road) between London and Eastbourne was developed in the 18th century; but it was the opening of the railway between Lewes and [Hastings](/source/Hastings), with later branches to Eastbourne and Hailsham, that meant growth for Polegate. It became a significant junction, with a freight terminal serving both the nearby [market town](/source/Market_town) of [Hailsham](/source/Hailsham) and the local brick making industry. The town grew partly to accommodate the railway employees.

In the 12th century, the [Premonstratensian](/source/Premonstratensian) order of monks occupied [Otham Abbey](/source/Otham_Abbey) in the parish, before relocating around 1208 to [Bayham Abbey](/source/Bayham_Abbey), near Lamberhurst.[3] Two buildings remain of that time, Otteham Court[3] and its Chapel.[4]

In 1851 a church school was established in Polegate.

St John's Church was opened on 10 November 1876. The site of the church and the parsonage was donated by Mr Fuller-Meyrick, owner of the [Brightling Park Estate](/source/Brightling_Park). The separate parish of St John's was formed on 26 October 1937, with the first vicar being Rev. John Catterall Salisbury (he had been curate since 1933). In 2013 the Parsonage building in Church Road was sold by the Diocese.

In the 21st century, with the closure of the line to Hailsham and the once direct route to Hastings, its importance as a railway hub has gone. It remains a road junction, with the erstwhile turnpike now being the [A22 road](/source/A22_road); the junction with the [A27](/source/A27_road) lies within the town boundary.

There are four streets in today's Polegate named for the [Levett](/source/Levett) family (Levett Close, Levett Road, Levett Avenue and Levett Way). The [Anglo-Norman](/source/Anglo-Normans) family were early Sussex landowners, and held manors and lands across the county, including [Firle](/source/Firle), [Bodiam](/source/Bodiam), [Hollington](/source/Hollington%2C_East_Sussex) and elsewhere. The family's lands were carried into the families of Gildredge (and then to the [Davies-Gilbert](/source/Davies-Gilbert) family of Eastbourne), the Eversfields of [St. Leonards-on-Sea](/source/St._Leonards-on-Sea), the Ashburnhams, the Chaloners and others.

## Geography

South Downs to the south of the town

Polegate is located on a ridge in the gap between the [Weald](/source/Weald) to the north and the [South Downs](/source/South_Downs). To the east lie the [Pevensey Levels](/source/Pevensey_Levels), the onetime bay now converted into farmland with the buildup of the coastal shingle bank during the early Middle Ages. Both the roads and the railway use the gap.

The town is gradually becoming part of the greater Eastbourne conurbation, connecting with [Willingdon](/source/Willingdon_and_Jevington) to the south. Many of the town's working population work away: either in Eastbourne or Willingdon.[5] Due to its location situated on the corner of the A27 and A22, it allows easy access to larger cities like [Brighton](/source/Brighton) and [Hastings](/source/Hastings) in less than an hour.

### Climate

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The [Köppen Climate Classification](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_Climate_Classification) subtype for this climate is "[Cfb](/source/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification#Group_C:_Temperate/mesothermal_climates)" (Marine West Coast Climate/[Oceanic climate](/source/Oceanic_climate)).

Climate data for Polegate, UK Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8 (46) 8 (46) 9 (48) 11 (52) 15 (59) 17 (63) 19 (66) 20 (68) 18 (64) 14 (57) 11 (52) 8 (46) 13 (55) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 5 (41) 4 (39) 6 (43) 7 (45) 10 (50) 12 (54) 15 (59) 15 (59) 13 (55) 10 (50) 7 (45) 5 (41) 9 (48) Average precipitation days 7 13 14 13 9 11 9 9 13 14 15 17 154 Source: Weatherbase[6]

## Governance

Polegate Town Hall and Council offices

Polegate is split into two wards for local elections, North and South Polegate. North Polegate with 4000 electors is twice the size of South Polegate's 2000 electors, returning twice as many councillors.[7] The Parish is represented at the lowest tier by Polegate Town Council. Fifteen councillors are elected from the two wards every four years. Public meetings are held monthly at the council chambers in Polegate. The 2007 election returned twelve councillors representing the Polegate residents association, two Liberal Democrats and an Independent.[8]

The district council for Polegate is Wealden District Council. [District council elections](/source/Wealden_local_elections) are held every four years. Fifty-five councillors in total are elected, three of these from the Polegate wards. The [May 2007 election](/source/2007_Wealden_Council_election) returned 34 Conservative, 12 Liberal Democrat, 3 Independent Democrat, 3 Wealden Independent, 2 Green Party and 1 no party allegiance.[9] The Polegate councillors parties were 2 Liberal Democrats and 1 Independent Democrat.[7]

The next tier of government is the [East Sussex](/source/East_Sussex) [County Council](/source/County_Council) with responsibility for education, libraries, social services, civil registration, trading standards and transport. Elections for the County Council are held every four years. For these elections Polegate is combined with [Willingdon](/source/Willingdon_and_Jevington) and [East Dean](/source/East_Dean_and_Friston) to return two seats.[10] The 2009 East Sussex County Council election resulted in 29 Conservatives, 13 Liberal Democrats, 4 Labour and 3 Independent, of which the Polegate, Willingdon and East Dean ward provided two Independent councillors.[10]

Polegate is represented in the UK Parliament by the [Lewes](/source/Lewes_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) constituency. The current serving MP is the Liberal Democrat [James MacCleary](/source/James_MacCleary) who won the seat in the [2024 general election](/source/2024_United_Kingdom_general_election).

Prior to [Brexit](/source/Brexit) in 2020, the village was part of the [South East England](/source/South_East_England_(European_Parliament_constituency)) constituency in the [European Parliament](/source/European_Parliament).

## Economy

High Street in Polegate

Chaucer Industrial Business Park Estate is located on Dittons Road where the major part of Polegate's industrial businesses are located.[11] A number of small-town shops and businesses occupy the High Street, including a supermarket, hair dressers and convenience store, as well a [Premier Inn](/source/Premier_Inn) hotel to the north of the town.

## Attractions

Polegate Windmill

The [tower windmill](/source/Ovenden's_Mill%2C_Polegate) was built in 1817. It is now a working museum.[12]

Old Polegate Station before it was demolished in 2017

Polegate crossroads, Horse and Groom pub and Polegate annual carnival procession

## Sport and leisure

### Recreation

There are two recreation grounds in Polegate, The Brightling Road Recreation Ground to the east of the town and The War Memorial Recreation Ground so the south of the town in Wannock Road.

- The Brightling Road Recreation Ground, also known as the William Daily Recreation Ground, has a [BMX](/source/BMX) track, a [skate park](/source/Skate_park) and a woodland area with open ground for sports.

- The War Memorial Recreation Ground is an open field with a basketball hoop and a playground for children.

There are also two [Sustrans](/source/Sustrans) cycle paths on the [National Cycle Network](/source/National_Cycle_Network): [route 2](/source/National_Cycle_Route_2) between Dover and St Austell, and [route 21](/source/National_Cycle_Route_21) between [Greenwich](/source/Greenwich) and [Eastbourne](/source/Eastbourne).

### Sports clubs

The local football team, Polegate Town FC, plays each Saturday at the War Memorial Recreational Ground. The club has two teams, with the first team playing in the [Mid Sussex League](/source/Mid-Sussex_Football_League) Championship Division, and the second team in Division 5. The club reformed in 2006 after an absence of five years without a Polegate team. In 2008, the club moved back to the recreation ground, having played its first two seasons on Eastbourne Council pitches. The club have enjoyed various successes since reforming, most recently winning the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup. In 2015 the club celebrated its centenary, as the earliest known Polegate team was first established in 1915: a photo of this team can be seen in the pavilion at the War Memorial Recreational Ground.

Polegate also have a successful cricket team, Polegate and Stone Cross Cricket Club, which uses the same pitch during the summer months.

## Transport

### Rail

The railway arrived in [Polegate](/source/Polegate_railway_station) in 1846, built by the [London Brighton and South Coast Railway](/source/London_Brighton_and_South_Coast_Railway) on the extension from Brighton to Hastings. In 1849 branches extended to Eastbourne and Hailsham (later to Eridge). The line to [Hailsham](/source/Hailsham) was nicknamed the [Cuckoo Line](/source/Cuckoo_Line) by railway workers. Both that and the direct link to Hastings are now closed. The present [Polegate railway station](/source/Polegate_railway_station) is served by [Southern](/source/Southern_(Govia_Thameslink_Railway)), with regular train services to London, Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings.

### Buses

Both local and long distance bus services serve Polegate, all originating from Eastbourne and expanding to destinations such as Pevensey, Lewes, Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield and Gatwick Airport. Bus services are provided by

- [Brighton & Hove](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_(bus_company)): 11X and [28](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Bus_Regency_Route)

- Compass Travel: Route 125

- Cuckmere Buses: Routes 24, 25, 26, 43, 44 and 48

- [Metrobus](/source/Metrobus_(South_East_England)): 500

- [Stagecoach South East](/source/Stagecoach_South_East): Routes 6, 51, 52 and 53

### Other

Cuckoo Trail between Polegate and [Hailsham](/source/Hailsham)

The [long-distance footpath](/source/Long-distance_footpath), the [Cuckoo Trail](/source/Cuckoo_Trail) passes through the parish which forms part of the [Sustrans](/source/Sustrans) [National Cycle Route 21](/source/National_Cycle_Route_21) between [Pevensey](/source/Pevensey) and [Greenwich](/source/Greenwich), as does the [National Cycle Route 2](/source/National_Cycle_Route_2) between [Dover](/source/Dover) and [St Austell](/source/St_Austell). Both routes form part of the [Avenue Verte](/source/Avenue_Verte) cycle route between [London](/source/London) and [Paris](/source/Paris).

## Education

State primary education is served by Polegate Primary School.[13]

## Religion

Main article: [List of current places of worship in Wealden](/source/List_of_current_places_of_worship_in_Wealden)

There are four churches in Polegate: the [Church of England](/source/Church_of_England) parish church, dedicated to St John;[14] the [Roman Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholic) church of [St George](/source/St_George's_Church%2C_Polegate); a [Seventh-day Adventist Church](/source/Seventh-day_Adventist_Church); and a [United Reformed Church](/source/United_Reformed_Church). Quakers also meet at the Bernard Baron Homes.

## Media

Polegate is covered by [BBC Sussex](/source/BBC_Sussex), [Seahaven FM](/source/Seahaven_FM), [More Radio Eastbourne](/source/More_Radio_Eastbourne) and [Heart South](/source/Heart_South). Local newspapers include the *Eastbourne Herald*, *Eastbourne Gazette*, *Hailsham Gazette* and the *Sussex Express*; all published by Beckett Newspapers. Local television news programmes are [BBC South East Today](/source/BBC_South_East_Today) and [ITV News Meridian](/source/ITV_News_Meridian).

## Twinnings

Polegate formed a twinning association in 1981 and is [twinned](/source/Sister_city) with two towns:[15]

- [Saintry-sur-Seine](/source/Saintry-sur-Seine), France (1991)

- [Appen](/source/Appen), Germany (1981)

## Notable residents

See also: [Category:People from Polegate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:People_from_Polegate)

- [David Dimbleby](/source/David_Dimbleby), television commentator, who included the town as a destination in his 2007 television series *[How We Built Britain](/source/How_We_Built_Britain)*

- [Denis Healey](/source/Denis_Healey), politician and writer

- [Tim Rice-Oxley](/source/Tim_Rice-Oxley) from the band [Keane](/source/Keane_(band))

- [Trevor Geer](/source/Trevor_Geer), speedway rider and manager for the [Eastbourne Eagles](/source/Eastbourne_Eagles) Speedway team

## External links

[Polegate Town Council](https://polegatetowncouncil.gov.uk/)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ESiF_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ESiF_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ESiF_1-2) ["East Sussex in Figures"](http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/). East Sussex County Council. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121228085807/http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/welcome.html) from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-EX123_2-0)** OS Explorer map Eastbourne and Beachy Head Scale: 1:25 000. Publisher:Ordnance Survey – Southampton B2 edition. Publishing Date:2009. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978 0319240823](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978_0319240823)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ioe_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ioe_3-1) [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Otteham Court (1353410)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1353410?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 19 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["The chapel at Otteham Court (1182639)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1182639?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 19 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/wealden/text/17polegt.htm](http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/wealden/text/17polegt.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070209223748/http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/wealden/text/17polegt.htm) 9 February 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Draft Wealden Local Plan Review

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Weatherbase_6-0)** ["Weatherbase.com"](http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591222&cityname=Polegate-England). Weatherbase. 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210123090553/http://www.weatherbase.com/) from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2013. Retrieved on 9 July 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-district2007_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-district2007_7-1) ["District Council Elections"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081031131720/http://www.wealden.gov.uk/council/electoral_services/Results/documents/DistrictResults2007.PDF) (PDF). Wealden District Council. 3 May 2007. p. 4. Archived from [the original](http://www.wealden.gov.uk/council/electoral_services/Results/documents/DistrictResults2007.PDF) (PDF) on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-parish2007_8-0)** ["Parish Council Elections"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081031131717/http://www.wealden.gov.uk/council/electoral_services/Results/documents/ParishResults2007.PDF) (PDF). Wealden District Council. 3 May 2007. pp. 13–14. Archived from [the original](http://www.wealden.gov.uk/council/electoral_services/Results/documents/ParishResults2007.PDF) (PDF) on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Your Councillors"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090806060326/http://www.wealden.gov.uk/moderngov/mgMemberIndex.asp?FN=PARTY&VW=TABLE&PIC=1&J=3). Wealden District Council. Archived from [the original](http://www.wealden.gov.uk/moderngov/mgMemberIndex.asp?FN=PARTY&VW=TABLE&PIC=1&J=3) on 6 August 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-councilelection_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-councilelection_10-1) ["County Council Election, 4 June 2009"](http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/localelections/electionmap/default.aspx). East Sussex County Council. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090604041105/http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/localelections/electionmap/default.aspx) from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Draft Wealden Local Plan Review"](http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/wealden/text/17polegt.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070209223748/http://www.cartoplus.co.uk/wealden/text/17polegt.htm) from the original on 9 February 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-windmill_12-0)** ["Notes including the windmill"](http://www.polegate-tc.co.uk/pages/useful_info.asp). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080215210255/http://www.polegate-tc.co.uk/pages/useful_info.asp) from the original on 15 February 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Polegate School](https://web.archive.org/web/20040513035206/http://www.polegate.e-sussex.sch.uk/index.htm)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["St John's Church"](http://www.polegate.org.uk/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080224042306/http://www.polegate.org.uk/) from the original on 24 February 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Polegate Twinning Association](http://www.twinningpolegate.co.uk/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130725094345/http://twinningpolegate.co.uk/) 25 July 2013 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

v t e Towns, villages and hamlets in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England Alciston Alfriston Arlington Berwick Best Beech Hill Birling Gap Blackboys Blackham Bodle Street Green Boreham Street Broad Oak Burlow Buxted Chalvington Chelwood Gate Chiddingly Coleman's Hatch Cooper's Green Cousley Wood Cowbeech Cross-in-Hand Crowborough Danehill Duddleswell East Dean East Hoathly Eridge Green Etchingwood Exceat Fairwarp Five Ash Down Five Ashes Fletching Folkington Forest Row Framfield Frant Friston Furner's Green Golden Cross Groombridge Gun Hill Hadlow Down Hailsham Halland Hammerwood Hankham Hartfield Heathfield Hellingly Heron's Ghyll Herstmonceux High Hurstwood Holtye Hooe Hooe Common Horam Horney Common Isfield Jarvis Brook Jevington Laughton Litlington Little Horsted Little London Lower Dicker Lower Horsebridge Lullington Magham Down Maresfield Mark Cross Mayfield Maynard's Green Milton Street Muddles Green Ninfield Nutley Old Heathfield Pevensey Pevensey Bay Polegate Poundgate Punnett's Town Rickney Ripe Roser's Cross Rotherfield Rushlake Green Selmeston Sparrow's Green Stone Cross Stunts Green Tidebrook Three Cups Corner Uckfield Upper Dicker Upper Hartfield Vines Cross Wadhurst Waldron Warbleton Wartling Westdean Westham Whitesmith Willingdon Wilmington Windmill Hill Winton Withyham Wych Cross

v t e Ceremonial county of East Sussex East Sussex Portal Unitary authorities City of Brighton and Hove Boroughs or districts Eastbourne Hastings Lewes Rother Wealden Major settlements (cities in italics) Battle Bexhill-on-Sea Brighton Crowborough Eastbourne Hailsham Hastings Heathfield Hove Lewes Newhaven Peacehaven Rottingdean Rye Seaford St Leonards-on-Sea Telscombe Uckfield Wadhurst Winchelsea See also: List of civil parishes in East Sussex Rivers Cuckmere Rother Tillingham Topics Geography Parliamentary constituencies Places Population of major settlements History Museums Schools SSSIs Country houses Grade I listed buildings Grade II* listed buildings Scheduled monuments Lord Lieutenants High Sheriffs Transport South Coast Plain South Downs Beachy Head High Weald Long Man of Wilmington

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Polegate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polegate) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polegate?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.