The actual origins of Burgess Hill are hard to piece together from existing records. The Romans passed this way, evidenced by traces of a Roman Road which ran in a vaguely northerly direction cutting up from the present Queen Elizabeth Avenue through St. John’s Park.

There were certainly local ancient settlements such as Clayton and Ditchling, detailed in the Doomsday Book, which probably saw little change in their farming way of life from the post-Roman Saxon period to Tudor times.

The actual name of Burgess Hill seems to link to the Burgeys family who made their way into tax records in the late 13^th and early 14^th centuries. More than that we cannot say for sure; a farm known as Burgeshill Land in the 16^th century is now the site of Oakmeeds School and the Chanctonbury estate. Some buildings from this era remain, such as Walnut Tree Cottages on Fairplace Hill.

Until the 19^th century, much of our present town centre was open common land, used for grazing animals, as well as a source of fuel, animal fodder and bedding. The common was also the location for the annual Midsummer Fair, from as far back as the 14^th century or beyond. This took place on 24 June, the feast of the nativity of Saint John the Baptist. Although the last such sheep and lamb fair was held in 1912, a link to the past remains in the naming of St. John’s Park.

By the early 1600s, a small scale brick and tile industry was flourishing, and this increased in the coming decades, leading to a scatter of shops and alehouses on the common. Burgess Hill also gained from Brighton’s rise to royal – and thus, general - notice. Increased traffic led to the Cuckfield to Brighton road being improved in 1770, which increased accessibility, and thus development.  

The real impetus to change was the coming of the railway: the London to Brighton line opened in 1841 and Burgess Hill soon grew from an insignificant rural settlement to a country town of 4,500 peoples. Many of the Victorian detached houses and workmen’s terraced cottages have survived from this period, a time in which Burgess Hill was also renowned as a health resort! Burgess Hill Urban District Council was established in 1894, taking over the reins of authority from the Local Board.

Steady growth continued from the turn of the twentieth century to the outbreak of World War II, but it was in the post-war years that the town saw its greatest expansion. The population almost doubled to 14,000 between 1951 and 1961. Much of Burgess Hill’s residential housing dates from this time, with the Martlets Shopping Centre added in 1972.

Until 1974 Burgess Hill actually lay in East Sussex, when it was incorporated across the county line in a local government re-think. Another change saw the creation of Burgess Hill Town Council, as opposed to the old Urban District

More major redevelopment followed in the 1990s, with the creation of the indoor Market Place Shopping Centre, the construction of Jane Murray Way and the A2300 Link Road to the A23/M23 to the west of the town, The Triangle Leisure Centre, opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1999, not to mention several thousand new homes.

The town has truly come a long way from its farming origins, although a few hints at its long history remain. It is now vigorous and thriving, boasting a population of over 28,000. Burgess Hill is well set to move with the times, as it always has done – with great success.

Some Significant Dates:

1861-3  -  St. John's Church built and consecrated

1889  -  Burgess Hill Station Rebuilt

1928  -  Present cinema opened

1996  -  Burgess Hill town Council Offices & Help Point opened

How to find out more:

Pick up a copy of the Town Centre Heritage Walk from the Burgess Hill Town Council Help Point, 96 Church Walk, Burgess Hill.