Peacehaven

A town and civil parish in the Lewes district of East Sussex, England. It is located above the chalk cliffs of the South Downs approximately six miles east of Brighton's city centre on the main Newhaven to Brighton road. (A259) The town's population in 2001 was over 13,000. Peacehaven is twinned with the French town of Epinay-Sous-Senart and the German town of Isernhagen.

There is a Bronze Age burial mound currently under investigation by local societies very close to the cliff top thus representing evidence of the occupation of Peacehaven at least 3,500 years ago. However, Peacehaven has only existed as a settlement since 1916, after its founder, Charles Neville purchased land in the parish of Piddinghoe and then set up a company to develop the site. He advertised it by setting up a competition to name the development, however, the newspaper concerned, the Daily Express, sued Neville over the competition, holding that it was a scam, since he was offering "free" plots of land in the town as runner-up prizes, and yet issuing them only on the payment of a conveyance fee. The newspaper won its case, but the publicity brought the scheme to a large audience. 'New Anzac-on-Sea' the chosen name lasted less than a year, for with the heavy losses of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli the name was considered inappropriate. Neville renamed his development Peacehaven and by 1924 there were 3,000 inhabitants.

Although Peacehaven is an independent town, it relies heavily on the bordering city of Brighton & Hove. Many local residents commute to work via regular bus links supplied by Brighton & Hove Buses, with most travelling into the city for shopping and other leisure activities. Peacehaven has grown considerably since the 1960's with the town centre development in 1979 and the building of the industrial estate in the early 80's providing much needed employment. Today Peacehaven is home to The Meridian Shopping Centre, The Peacehaven Leisure Centre, four schools, four churches and along with local amenities there is a plentiful supply of pubs and restaurants located throughout the town. There are two dance schools, Harlequin and Studio 54 as well as numerous football and martial arts clubs. The town’s main claim to fame is that Peacehaven stands on the Prime Meridian (0% Longitude) with the Meridian Monument, a focal point above the cliffs marking the exact spot. The monument is dedicated to the late King George V.

Peacehaven lies by the beautiful hills of the South Downs and benefits from having both the countryside and the sea close at hand. The South Downs are an area of outstanding natural beauty, at the foot of which is rolling farmland, small woods and heath land scattered amongst the hills and fields, attracting nature lovers and ramblers from all around Sussex and beyond. Such a mixture of countryside is a haven for wildlife, with the habitat ideal too for birds such as the peregrine falcon, sparrow hawk, fulmar, and black redstart.