The Victorian and Edwardian leisure estate in the Sussex Weald c.1850-1914

West Sussex Record Office

Join Dr Sue Berry for a fascinating talk hosted by West Sussex Record Office

During the Victorian and Edwardian periods, small estates were established in the Weald by wealthy families from a wide range of backgrounds. They did not want large agricultural estates. These were increasingly under threat from economic, social and political changes. The new estates were for leisure and entertainment and the pursuit of a wide range of hobbies. Most had lavish country houses, either newly built or refurbished and enlarged old ones. The capital to buy the estates and for expenditure on them came from new banks, engineering firms, shipping companies and overseas trade in Europe with, for example, Russia, and selling the latest fashion accoutrements such as ostrich feathers. Some of the newcomers invested in breeding rare plants and supporting plant hunters; the Loders fall into this group. Others, such as the Huth brothers, collected works of art. Most of the families invested in the local community. Some paid for village halls, others for the repair or embellishment of churches; most allowed access to their grounds for events, and their gardeners and other staff to compete in flower shows and other public events.

Within this framework, the talk will concentrate on some of the houses and grounds to which there is access such as South Lodge in Horsham (now a hotel) and Leonardslee, but others will also be discussed. The development of such houses was not unique to Sussex, but the number probably is.

Dr Sue Berry FSA, FRHistS has published on a range of themes for which she has used examples in Sussex for her case studies. She has published in Sussex Archaeological Society Collections, The Journal of the Georgian Group, Agricultural History Review, Exhibition catalogues and books. She wrote &#x27;Georgian Brighton and Country Houses of the Sussex Downs&#x27;. She has also published on heritage tourism.

The talk will last up to an hour, with an opportunity to ask questions (via the chat box for our remote audience).

Please note: if you book here on Eventbrite, you will be joining us online and will not be able to attend the event in person at the Record Office. If you would prefer to attend in person, please book instead on 01243 753602 (tickets £8).

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The Victorian and Edwardian leisure estate in the Sussex Weald c.1850-1914

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The Victorian and Edwardian leisure estate in the Sussex Weald c.1850-1914

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