Hailsham Grange

History and Architecture of Hailsham Grange - Bed and Breakfast Hailsham, East Sussex

The main house was built 1701 – 1705 for the Rev. Thomas Hooper as a vicarage for the adjacent church. The architectural style of the house exemplifies what many refer to as the Mary-Anne style which reflect the Dutch domesticity of the William and Mary period combined with the more grand and formal style of the Queen Anne period. Known locally in 18th and 19th centuries as the Vicarage House neither the architect nor the builder are known. Like numerous period houses in this part of East Sussex the materials used are a mixture of red and grey bricks laid in the Flemish bond manner giving a chequered effect which is in contrast to the rubbed brick dressings.

The formal entrance facade comprises of five bays with a square pilaster at each end. The central doorway has a wooden surround of Ionic pilasters against a rusticated background with a bolection frieze and pediment over. The middle window on the floor above a brick Gibbs surround.

The interior has some fine examples of wood the carvers skills. The dining hall has a screen of ionic columns while the staircase has a wide moulded oak handrail supported by finely twisted balusters with the end treads having classical scroll and acanthus leaf ornament.

In the 1830’s the house underwent major refurbishment. The new vicar of the day altered the upper floor to provide accommodation for his family of ten children. To achieve this he created the existing mansard roof which enabled him to increase the second floor accommodation from four to six rooms. He also provided a false floor to be installed presumably to make the pitter-patter of tiny feet less intrusive upon the adult members of the household. At the same time a service wing was added to the North facade of the house and the present drawing room with its Regency circular bow was created from two ground floor rooms.

In the mid 1950’s a newvicarage was built in the former kitchen garden and orchard. At that time the house ceased to have its ecclesiastical association and was renamed Hailsham Grange.

In the late 1970’s the service wing of 1830’s was truncated and at the same time the Adam marble chimneypiece was installed in the drawing room. The chimneypiece was designed by Robert Adam C. 1773 for Derby House, Grosvenor House London.

The Coach House is some fifteen to twenty years later in date from the main house. Dating from the early 1720’s it is believed to have been built by Arthur Morris of Lewes who is responsible for the stables at Compton Place,

Eastbourne, subsequently the summer home of the Dukes of Devonshire. Originally the building provided stabling for up to six horses on the ground floor together with  tack room and housing for a coach. 

The upper floor comprised of a hay loft and accommodation for the groom and his family. In the early 20th century with the advent of the motorcar the building ceased to be used for its original purpose. The stables on the ground floor and the whole of the first floor were converted to provide social rooms for church activities and numerous town organisations such as the Red Cross and the Tennis Club. During the 1930’s and 40’s the premises housed a youth club which was popular with both locals and soldiers (including the late Spike Milligan) posted in the area.