Stone's House and Seaford House
Looking down Bramber Lane, notice how it narrows and becomes a footpath. In Sussex, such an “alley” between houses or between buildings and a hedge, is called a twitten; it’s a word used in no other county. It’s also worth looking for a mmoment at the nearby Martello Cottage, which alas appears dominated by the tall buildings nearby.
Cross the open, green traingle again, leaving the Contitutional Club on your right. Ahead of you is…
Stone’s House
A grade II Iisted building, dates from 1767 by Robert Stone and rumoured that it once had an underground passage to the Church. Robert Stone, seven times Bailiff of Seaford allegedly built the house in anticipation of his marriage to Elizabeth Farncombe whose father opposed Robert Stone’s election to Bailiff in 1762. The modern building next door is Seaford House. – There have been three buildings of this name on the same site. Tennyson is said to have written his Ode to the Duke of Wellington here. Canning, Seaford MP and Prime Minister stayed here too.
Seaford House
Old Seaford House belonged to Lord Howard de Walden, Baron Seaford. Alfred Lord Tennyson was said to have written the funeral ode to the Duke of Wellington whilst staying there. The house was rebuilt in 1860, only to be demolished to make way for a modern block of flats.This is part of a drawing by HH Evans entitled Old Seaford House and the Crouch. Harry Harison Evans (1849 – 1926) spent the greater part of his life producing detailed drawings of Seaford. The Museum holds has a large collection currently on display and has also produced “A Seaford Sketchbook” SB Publications 2001 of Evans’ drawings.
Leaving both Stone Cottage and Seaford House to your right, walk down Crouch Lane. Before you reach the junction there’s a car park on your right. Go through that to the Barn Theatre.