Secret East Grinstead

Explore East Grinstead’s secret history through a fascinating selection of stories, facts and photographs.

There is a history of East Grinstead that is hidden from view, lost under the modern town’s bustling surface. The town’s High Street is dominated by one of the longest continuous runs of fourteenth-century timber-framed houses in England, houses that have witnessed many of the secrets contained in this book. Many famous faces have resided in the town over the years, from Patrick Moore to Neil Gaiman, and many surprising individuals have had brief encounters with the town, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh and John F. Kennedy. St Swithun resided in the town, and his story, which has become English lore, can all be traced back to events within the town.Featuring photographs, anecdotes and places to visit, Secret East Grinstead goes behind the façades of the familiar to discover the lesser-known artefacts of East Grinstead’s fascinating history. Its markets, buildings and churches each have a tale to tell, and its proximity to London has meant the town has received a whole host of interesting events. Join authors Dorothy Hatswell and Simon Kerr on a journey off the beaten track, and discover the real East Grinstead.