Editing Crowborough

{{short description |Town in East Sussex, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Crowborough
| country = England
| type = [[Town]] and [[civil parish]]
| region = South East England
| static_image_name = Crowborough Cross - geograph.org.uk - 456437.jpg
| static_image_caption = Crowborough Cross, 2007
| area_footnotes = <ref name=ESiF>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/ |title=East Sussex in Figures |access-date=26 April 2008 |publisher=East Sussex County Council |archive-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228085807/http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/welcome.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 13.6
| population = 21,688
| population_density = {{convert|3812|/sqmi|/km2|abbr=on}}
| os_grid_reference = TQ518312
| coordinates = {{coord|51.06|0.16|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| post_town = CROWBOROUGH
| postcode_area = TN
| postcode_district = TN6
| dial_code = 01892
| constituency_westminster = [[Sussex Weald (UK Parliament constituency)|Sussex Weald]]
| london_distance = {{convert|33|mi}} NNW
| shire_district = [[Wealden District|Wealden]]
| shire_county = [[East Sussex]]
| website = [http://www.crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/ Crowborough Town Council]
| static_image_2 =
| static_image_2_caption = The council's logo
}}

'''Crowborough''' is a town and [[civil parish]] in [[East Sussex]], England, in the [[Weald]] at the edge of [[Ashdown Forest]] and the highest town in the [[High Weald AONB|High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]].

It is located {{convert|7|miles}} south-west of [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]] and {{convert|33|miles}}  south of [[London]]. It had a population of 21,688 at the 2021 Census,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://citypopulation.de/en/uk/southeastengland/admin/wealden/E04003835__crowborough/|title=Crowborough|access-date=24 December 2024}}</ref> making it the second largest town in inland East Sussex after [[Hailsham]].

The highest point in the town is {{cvt|242|metres}} above sea level,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crowborough - Peakbagger.com |url=https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=9535 |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=www.peakbagger.com}}</ref> making it the second highest point in East Sussex after [[Ditchling Beacon]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Hill Bagging |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:All Saints Church, Crowborough (IoE Code 295929).JPG|thumb|left|All Saints' Church]]
The town's name means "hill or mound frequented by crows", from the Old English ''crāwe'' + ''beorg''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mills|first=A. D.|title=A Dictionary of English Place Names|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofengl0000mill_u9o6/page/98|url-access=registration|edition=Reissue with corrections|year=1996|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Osford|isbn=0-19-283131-3|page=98}}</ref>

In 1734, Sir Henry Fermor, a local benefactor, bequeathed money for a church and [[charity school]] for the benefit of the "very ignorant and heathenish people" that lived in the part of [[Rotherfield]] "in or near a place called Crowborough and Ashdown Forest".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theweald.org/P5H.asp?Pid=5050Crowbo |title=Historical Notes about Crowborough |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226062045/http://theweald.org/P5H.asp?Pid=5050Crowbo |archive-date=26 February 2012 }}</ref> The church, dedicated to [[All Saints' Day|All Saints]], and primary school still survive today.

The railway arrived in 1868, leading to significant growth of the town. By 1880, the town had grown so much that the ecclesiastical parish of All Saints was separated from that of St Denys, Rotherfield.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Crowborough - Official Guide|publisher = Spotlight Publications / Crowborough Parish Council|year = 1973|pages = 15|url = http://www.cdhistory.org/cdhsdirectory.asp?Id=98|access-date = 7 August 2014|archive-date = 4 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000147/http://www.cdhistory.org/cdhsdirectory.asp?Id=98|url-status = live}}</ref>

In the late 19th century, Crowborough was promoted as a health resort based on its high elevation, the rolling hills and surrounding forest. Estate agents even called it "Scotland in Sussex". The town's golf course opened in 1895, followed by a fire station and hospital in 1900.<ref name=":0" />

From 1942 to 1982, a site near Crowborough hosted notable radio transmitters, including the [[Aspidistra (transmitter)|Aspidistra]] transmitter during World War II and, after the war, the [[BBC]] External Service broadcasts to Europe transmitters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-03-05 |title=The Biggest Aspidistra in Crowborough « What's on in Crowborough - For all your local events & information visit Your Crowborough |url=http://www.yourcrowborough.co.uk/history/the-biggest-aspidistra-in-crowborough |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305134325/http://www.yourcrowborough.co.uk/history/the-biggest-aspidistra-in-crowborough |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-03-05 |access-date=2022-06-15 }}</ref>

==Governance==
Crowborough became an [[ecclesiastical parish]] in 1880: previously it had been part of [[Rotherfield]]. A [[Civil parishes in England|civil parish]] was established on 6 April 1905; the parish council was renamed as a Town Council on 24 May 1988.<ref>[http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/crowborough/index.html The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927043140/http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/crowborough/index.html |date=27 September 2011 }}</ref>

Until 2012, Crowborough shared the headquarters of [[Wealden District Council]] with [[Hailsham]], 14&nbsp;miles (22&nbsp;km) to the south. The Council moved all of their operations to Hailsham in 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/office-moves-for-wealden-district-council-1-2706202|title = Office moves for Wealden District Council|date = 23 May 2011|access-date = 7 August 2014|website = Sussex Express|archive-date = 11 August 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140811192331/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/office-moves-for-wealden-district-council-1-2706202|url-status = live}}</ref> although East Sussex County Council still operates a library service from the Pine Grove building. In July 2014, the Crowborough Community Association put in a bid to buy Pine Grove to retain the library and develop the rest of the building as an "enterprise hub".<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/crowborough-group-bids-for-council-hq-1-6185272|title = Crowborough group bids for Council HQ|date = 19 July 2014|access-date = 7 August 2014|website = Sussex Express|archive-date = 11 August 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140811192335/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/county-news/crowborough-group-bids-for-council-hq-1-6185272|url-status = live}}</ref>

=== Parliament ===
In the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], Crowborough is in the [[Sussex Weald (UK Parliament constituency)|Sussex Weald]] constituency, represented by [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Nus Ghani]], one of the [[Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons|Deputy Speakers of the House of Commons]]. Former MPs include [[Charles Hendry]] (2001–2015), and Sir [[Geoffrey Johnson-Smith]] (1965–2001).

==Geography==
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Crowborough
| photo = 
| photo_caption = 
| elevation_m = 242
| elevation_ref = 
| prominence = ''c.'' 159 m
| parent_peak = [[Leith Hill]]
| listing = [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]]
| location = [[Weald|High Weald]], England
| range = 
| coordinates = 
| grid_ref_UK = TQ510305
| topo = [[Ordnance Survey|OS]] ''Landranger'' 188
| type = 
| age = 
| last_eruption = 
| first_ascent = 
| easiest_route = 
}}

Crowborough is located in the northern part of East Sussex, around {{Convert|6|km|miles|0}} from the county border with [[Kent]]. The town is {{Convert|57|km|miles}} south of central [[London]]. The nearest major towns are [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]], {{Convert|12|km|miles|0}} to the north-east; [[Brighton]], {{Convert|34|km|miles|0}} to the south-west; and [[Crawley]], {{Convert|26|km|miles|0}} to the west. The [[county town]] of [[Lewes]] is {{Convert|24|km|miles|0}} to the south-west.

The town is located on the eastern edge of the [[Ashdown Forest]], an ancient area of open heathland which is protected for its ecological importance and was the setting for [[A. A. Milne]]'s stories about [[Winnie-the-Pooh]].

The highest point in the town is 242 metres above sea level. This summit is the highest point of the [[High Weald]] and second highest point in East Sussex (the highest is [[Ditchling Beacon]]). Its [[relative height]] is 159&nbsp;m, meaning Crowborough qualifies as one of England's [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyns]]. The summit is not marked on the ground.

The town has grown from a series of previously separate villages and hamlets including [[Jarvis Brook]], Poundfield, Whitehill, Stone Cross and Alderbrook, Sweet Haws and Steel Cross.<ref name=":0" />

==Transport==
The main road in Crowborough is the [[A26 road|A26]]. From Crowborough, the A26 runs north-east to [[Mereworth]] via Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. To the south, it runs to [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]], via Uckfield and Lewes.

Two B roads run through the town. The B2100 starts at the junction with the A26 (Crowborough Cross) and runs east to Lamberhurst via Jarvis Brook, Rotherfield, Mark Cross and [[Wadhurst]]. The B2157 Green Lane is a short link between Steel Cross and Crowborough Hill, within the town.

[[Crowborough railway station]] is located in Jarvis Brook at the bottom of Crowborough Hill. Trains run on the [[Oxted Line|Oxted line]] which is operated by [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]], providing a direct link with {{stnlnk|London Bridge}}, {{stnlnk|East Croydon}}, {{stnlnk|Edenbridge Town}} and {{stnlnk|Uckfield}}. The journey time to London Bridge is approximately one hour.

The Brighton & Hove Buses Regency Route 29 runs every half-hour (Mon-Sat) or hourly (Sundays/public holiday) to/from Brighton and Tunbridge Wells via Lewes, Uckfield and Crowborough.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regency 29 - Brighton - Tunbridge Wells and Heathfield |url=https://www.buses.co.uk/services/BH/29 |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=www.buses.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

==Education==

Crowborough has one secondary school, [[Beacon Academy]], and seven primary schools: 
* Ashdown Primary School, formed from the merging of Whitehill Infant School and Herne Junior School in September 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://crowboroughlife.com/opening-of-ashdown-primary-school-12601/ |title=Opening of Ashdown Primary School |last1=Butler |first1=Stephan |date=5 September 2015 |website=CrowboroughLife |access-date=17 February 2016|archive-date=25 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225170654/http://crowboroughlife.com/opening-of-ashdown-primary-school-12601/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
* High Hurstwood Church of England (controlled) School
* Jarvis Brook County Primary School
* St Johns Church of England (aided) School
* St Mary's Roman Catholic School
* Sir Henry Fermor Church of England School
* Grove Park School

In addition there are two independent [[Preparatory school (UK)|preparatory school]]s.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

== Media ==
The local paper is the ''[[Kent and Sussex Courier]]'' published in Tunbridge Wells.  Owned by the regional newspaper publisher [[Local World]], there are six editions of the paper including a Sussex edition.<ref>{{Citation|url = http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/47062926.pdf|title = ABC Circulation Certificate 2014|date = 25 February 2015|work = ABC|access-date = 17 February 2014|archive-date = 11 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160311000712/http://www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/47062926.pdf|url-status = live}}</ref> 
Local television news programmes are [[BBC South East Today]] and [[ITV Meridian]]. In 2014 a local news website ([[Hyperlocal]]) called CrowboroughLife.com was established by Stephan Butler.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://crowboroughlife.com/about/|title = About CrowboroughLife|work = CrowboroughLife|access-date = 17 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160215120027/http://crowboroughlife.com/about/|archive-date = 15 February 2016|url-status = usurped}}</ref> Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Sussex]] on 104.5 FM, [[Heart South]] on 102.4 FM and [[Ashdown Radio]] on 94.7 FM.

==Health==

Crowborough War Memorial Hospital on Southview Road is a small NHS hospital with minor injury unit and midwife-led maternity unit. Opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm.

It has been threatened with closure numerous times, but services are still offered, in part due to a strong local campaign.<ref name="Hallett2003">{{cite book|last=Hallett|first=Richard|editor=Mavis Kirkham|title=The Crowborough birthing centre story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YBQH8ft-FgQC&pg=PA53|year=2003|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-7506-5497-5|pages=53–60|access-date=27 October 2016|archive-date=9 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009023942/http://books.google.com/books?id=YBQH8ft-FgQC&pg=PA53|url-status=live}}</ref> Non-maternity services are provided at hospitals in [[Tunbridge Wells Hospital|Pembury]] and [[Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath|Haywards Heath]].

==Sport and leisure==
=== Sports teams and associations ===
The town's football clubs comprise [[Crowborough Athletic F.C.]], who are based at the Crowborough Community Stadium and currently play in The Southern Counties East Premier<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/crowboroughathletic/a/history-8255.html|title=Crowborough Rugby Football Club website|access-date=8 October 2011|archive-date=15 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415001857/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/crowboroughathletic/a/history-8255.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and Jarvis Brook F.C., founded in 1888, run four senior sides, the highest of which plays in the Southern Combination Division 2.

Crowborough Rugby Football Club, located in the Steel Cross area, was established in 1936. The 1st XV currently competes in London & SE Counties 1 Kent. A thriving, sociable community club with hundreds of members, CRFC runs minis from U6s to U11s; juniors from U12s to U18s; girls from U12s to U18s; plus womens, 2nd XV/3rd XV/Vets sides. There is also walking rugby on Thursday evenings plus touch rugby in summer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crowborough Rugby Football Club |url=https://www.crowboroughrugby.com/}}</ref>

Crowborough Runners is an England Athletics-affiliated club based at Goldsmiths Recreation Ground, where there is a three-lane, all-weather floodlit track. The club hosts coach-led track sessions at 6.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. A year-round club run takes place at 7pm Wednesday evening from Goldsmiths' Leisure Centre car park. For juniors aged 8+, there is a Saturday morning track session at 9.45am.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crowborough Runners – East Sussex running club |url=https://crowboroughrunners.org.uk/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Crowborough Cricket Club has two teams playing in the Sussex Cricket League. Their home ground is Wolfe Recreation Ground on Blackness Road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crowborough Cricket Club |url=https://www.facebook.com/crowcc/}}</ref>

Crowborough Tennis and Squash Club has seven floodlit tennis courts, four [[squash (sport)|squash]] courts, two [[padel]] courts, two outdoor Pickleballs Courts as well as a dedicated Mini-Tennis court. The club also offers [[racketball]] and table-tennis. The club competes in the Sussex County leagues in both tennis and squash as well as within the Weald and Horam leagues for tennis. The club is open to the public for Pay and Play tennis, padel, pickleball, squash, table tennis and racketball. There are also a host of social events from quizzes to live music.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ctsc.club/|title=Crowborough Tennis and Squash Club|access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref>

Crowborough Beacon Golf Club was founded in 1895. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was elected Captain of the club in 1910, penned Sherlock Holmes tales while looking out of his study window at the club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.cbgc.co.uk/history |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=www.cbgc.co.uk}}</ref>  

Crowborough Hockey Club is a [[field hockey]] club that competes in the [[Southern Counties Hockey Association|South East Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crowboroughhockeyclub.com/|title=Crowborough Hockey Club |access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/crowborough-hc|title=England Hockey - Crowborough Hockey Club |access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref>

Crowborough Netball is a coaching club formed, with help from Crowborough Town Council, in 2013. The club coaches children and adults from those new to the game to league players at Crowborough Leisure Centre, Beacon Academy's Green Lane Gym, and Goldsmiths outdoor court. The club arranges friendly, fun matches and competitions for all ages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crowboroughnetball.com|title=Crowborough Netball website|access-date=8 October 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082506/http://www.crowboroughnetball.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Crowborough is host to a detachment of the [[Army Cadet Force]], a national organisation sponsored by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MoD]] for youths aged between 12 and 18.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sussex Army Cadets |url=https://armycadets.com/county/sussex-acf/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=Army Cadets UK |language=en-GB}}</ref>
1st Crowborough Scout Group comprises 1 [[Squirrels (Scouting)|Squirrels]], 3 [[Beavers (Scouting)|Beavers]], 3 [[Cub Scouts|Cubs]] and 3 [[Scouts]] sections.<ref>{{cite web |title=1st Crowborough Scouts |url=https://www.1stcrowborough.org.uk/ |website=www.1stcrowborough.org.uk |access-date=5 September 2019 |archive-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905111648/https://www.1stcrowborough.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Recreation ===
Crowborough has several recreation grounds, including Goldsmiths Recreation Ground, which was given to the parish by private owners in 1937. The town council has since purchased additional land and has developed the ground into a recreation centre. There are a sports centre with swimming pool; a boating lake; and a miniature railway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/crowborough/index.html|title=Crowborough Town Council official guide|access-date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927043140/http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/crowborough/index.html|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref>

Crowborough Common is an ancient common covering over 220 acres, or about 90 hectares, to which the public was granted a legal right of access "for the taking of air and exercise" in 1936.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://crowboroughcommon.org.uk/images/stories/officialsigns/crow-common-1936-order-page-2.pdf|title=Law of Property Act 1925 (section 193) (1) (b)|publisher=Crowborough Beacon Golf Club|access-date=14 April 2013}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The common is owned by Crowborough Beacon Golf Club. Most of the common is heathland and woodland. In 2012 Wealden District Council refused permission for the golf club to build a new car park in woodland on the common after a campaign involving local residents and organisations including the Open Spaces Society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18055503|title=Group opposes Crowborough golf club car park plans|date=14 May 2012|publisher=BBC News|access-date=14 April 2013|archive-date=17 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517032629/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18055503|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Crowborough-Beacon-Golf-club-bunker-car-park-plan/story-16312135-detail/story.html#axzz2QQjbMctQ|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505124103/http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Crowborough-Beacon-Golf-club-bunker-car-park-plan/story-16312135-detail/story.html%23axzz2QQjbMctQ|url-status=dead|title=Crowborough Beacon Golf club in bunker over car park plan|date=8 June 2012|publisher=this is Sussex|access-date=14 April 2013|archive-date=5 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oss.org.uk/wealden-woodland-saved-from-private-car-park-plans/|title=Wealden woodland saved from private car-park plans|date=1 June 2012|publisher=Open Spaces Society|access-date=14 April 2013|archive-date=6 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706095425/http://www.oss.org.uk/wealden-woodland-saved-from-private-car-park-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 February 2013 the Club served notice to [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs|DEFRA]] to revoke the Section 193 agreement which governed the public's right of access on the Common. On 7 February 2013 DEFRA confirmed the revocation of the rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.crowboroughcommon.org/legal_documents|title = Official Crowborough Common website|access-date = 3 February 2016|archive-date = 3 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160203180405/http://www.crowboroughcommon.org/legal_documents|url-status = live}}</ref> Due to Health and Safety reasons, not least of which is the outcome of a court case known as the 'Nidry Castle' case<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.golfclubmanagement.net/2012/01/how-liable-is-a-golf-club-following-the-niddry-castle-case/|title = Nidry Castle case|access-date = 3 February 2016|archive-date = 4 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160204002042/http://www.golfclubmanagement.net/2012/01/how-liable-is-a-golf-club-following-the-niddry-castle-case/|url-status = usurped}}</ref> members of the public are requested to keep to official public footpaths and bridleways to mitigate the possible incidence of accident and injury. The club however are in consultation with Wealden District Council and other interested parties to endeavor to relocate some footpaths to make it safer for members of the public who use such footpaths. In addition, to give better access to the common for members of the public, the club are looking at ways of introducing some permissive pathways to give access to areas not served by public footpaths.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Consultation about footpath diversions on Crowborough Common - Crowborough Life|url = http://crowboroughlife.com/consultation-on-diversion-of-footpaths-on-crowborough-common-11397/|website = Crowborough Life|access-date = 3 February 2016|language = en-US|archive-date = 3 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160203222053/http://crowboroughlife.com/consultation-on-diversion-of-footpaths-on-crowborough-common-11397/|url-status = usurped}}</ref> The club, with the assistance of Natural England, have embarked upon a 10-year programme to restore as much of the common as possible to heathland so this endangered environment will be preserved for future generations.<ref>{{Cite web|title = A brief review of the extent, nature and costs of lowland heathland management in England - ENRR101|url = http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/223169?category=30009|website = Natural England - Access to Evidence|access-date = 3 February 2016|language = en-GB|archive-date = 10 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151210071637/http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/223169?category=30009|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Golf Club restore heathland - Crowborough Life|url = http://crowboroughlife.com/golf-course-restore-heathland-5769/|website = Crowborough Life|access-date = 3 February 2016|language = en-US|archive-date = 4 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160204002740/http://crowboroughlife.com/golf-course-restore-heathland-5769/|url-status = usurped}}</ref> Adjacent to the fourth fairway is a memorial to nine Canadian soldiers of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment who were killed by a flying bomb on 5 July 1944.<ref>{{Cite web|title = British Legion present Crowborough Beacon Golf Club with shield for exceptional support and assistance - Crowborough Life|url = http://crowboroughlife.com/british-legion-crowborough-shield-canadian-war-memorial-14857/|website = Crowborough Life|access-date = 3 February 2016|language = en-US|archive-date = 3 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160203234701/http://crowboroughlife.com/british-legion-crowborough-shield-canadian-war-memorial-14857/|url-status = usurped}}</ref>

Crowborough Country Park is a 16-acre (6 hectare) nature reserve located in the southern part of Crowborough. The park was previously a clay quarry serving the Crowborough Brickworks which closed in 1980. The topography of the site is evidence of its industrial past. The site of the brickworks was developed into Farningham Road industrial estate and housing in the area of Osborne Road. For nearly 30 years the quarry was left to natural regeneration and local people used it for informal play, with stories of swimming in the ponds and losing Wellington boots in the wet areas of the site. In 2008 Crowborough Town Council acquired the site to develop it for informal{{clarify|date=February 2016}} recreation and also to enhance the site's biodiversity. In 2008 work began in the Country Park, with a stone track and bridges installed. The site was declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2009 ensuring the future management of the site for the benefit of the wildlife and for people to enjoy quiet recreation.

The Crowborough Players, established in 1933, are the resident community drama group at the 300-seater hall at Crowborough Community Centre which opened in June 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thecrowboroughplayers.com|title= The Crowborough Players website|access-date= 8 October 2016|archive-date= 27 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170427080044/http://thecrowboroughplayers.com/|url-status= live}}</ref>

==Notable people==
[[File:Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Cloke's Corner - geograph.org.uk - 316397.jpg|thumb|The statue of [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]] at Crowborough Cross]]
[[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]] (1859–1930), the author of the [[Sherlock Holmes]] novels and short stories, lived at Windlesham Manor in Crowborough for the last 23 years of his life.

He moved to Crowborough from [[Surrey]] in 1907 when he married his second wife, whose family lived next door at Little Windlesham.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=esusslib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&docId=IF501228792&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|title = Conan Doyle 's town detects its fortune|last = McGrory|first = Daniel|date = 5 July 1997|work = The Times Digital Archive (subscription required)|access-date = 14 August 2014|page = 8|archive-date = 23 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210123083822/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=esusslib&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Faction%3Dinterpret%26id%3DGALE%7CIF0501228792%26v%3D2.1%26u%3Desusslib%26it%3Dr%26p%3DTTDA%26sw%3Dw&prodId=TTDA|url-status = live}}</ref> Windlesham Manor is now a retirement home.<ref name=":1" />

Sir Arthur was a past Captain of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club in 1910 and Lady Conan Doyle was Ladies Captain in 1911.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}}

Conan Doyle was initially buried vertically in the grounds of the manor, but later interred with his first wife at Minstead in the [[New Forest]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=esusslib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&docId=CS353968873&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|title = Deaths|date = 9 July 1930|work = The Times Digital Archive (subscription required)|access-date = 14 August 2014|location = London, England|pages = 21|archive-date = 23 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210123083819/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=esusslib&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Faction%3Dinterpret%26id%3DGALE%7CCS353968873%26v%3D2.1%26u%3Desusslib%26it%3Dr%26p%3DTTDA%26sw%3Dw&prodId=TTDA|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite ODNB|title = Doyle, Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan (1859–1930)|last = Dudley Edwards|first = Owen| author-link = Owen Dudley Edwards | publisher = Oxford University Press|year = 2004}}</ref> His statue stands at Crowborough Cross, in the town centre.<ref name="Costello2012">{{cite book|author=Peter Costello|title=Conan Doyle, Detective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f2HGhZki-8MC&pg=PT165|year=2012|publisher=Constable & Robinson Ltd|isbn=978-1-4721-0365-9|page=165}}</ref>

A Sherlock Holmes festival was held in Crowborough for several years running in the mid-1990s, reportedly attracting up to 25,000 visitors.<ref name=":1" />

Conan Doyle is commemorated in the town through street names such as Watson Way and Sherlock Shaw, and Conan Way.

Other notable Crowborough people include:

* [[Tom Baker]] (born 1934), actor, played the role of the fourth Doctor in ''[[Doctor Who]]'' and also, interestingly, Sherlock Holmes in the 1982 British four-part television serial ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1982 TV serial)|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'' based on the Conan Doyle story of the same name.
* [[Dirk Bogarde]] (1921–1999), actor and writer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dirkbogarde.co.uk/icon/house-and-home/|title=Dirk Bogarde: House and Home|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924140652/http://dirkbogarde.co.uk/icon/house-and-home/|url-status=live}} Dirk Bogarde: House and Home</ref>
* [[Robert Henry Cain]], (1909–1974), only survivor of the [[Battle of Arnhem]] to receive the [[Victoria Cross]]
* [[James Dagwell]] (born 1974), British journalist, former [[BBC News]] presenter
* [[Tom Driberg]], Baron Bradwell (1905–1976), journalist, politician, member of the [[British Communist Party]] 
* [[E. E. Evans-Pritchard|Sir E. E. Evans-Pritchard]], social anthropologist
* [[Dylan Hartley]], England rugby union player
* [[David Jason]] (born 1940), actor 
* [[Richard Jefferies]] (1848–1887), writer and naturalist<ref name="WildeTribute">{{cite book|last=Wilde|first=Arthur|title=Richard Jefferies - A Tribute|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mBVOmcfKucUC&pg=PA137|date=June 2010|publisher=Read Books|isbn=978-1-4455-0696-8|pages=137–139}}</ref>
* [[Jehst]] (William Shields) (born 1979), [[hip hop]] artist
* [[Rear admiral|Rear Admiral]] Philip Whitworth Burnett (10 October 1908 – 6 October 1996), a senior British military commander who served in the [[Royal Navy]] during [[World War II]]{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
* [[Kerry Katona]], actor and singer
* [[Ross Kemp]], actor, played Grant Mitchell in the soap opera ''[[EastEnders]]''
* [[Derek Rayner, Baron Rayner]], former CEO of the [[Marks & Spencer]] department store chain
* [[Isaac Roberts]] (1829–1904), engineer, pioneer in astrophotography of nebulae<ref>{{cite book|url=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k56168b/f371.image|title=Obituary Notices of Fellows deceased: Isaac Roberts. 1929-1904.|access-date=17 February 2013|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017004613/http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k56168b/f371.image|url-status=live}} Proceedings of the Royal Society of London 75: 356, 362. 1904-1905.</ref>
* [[Piers Sellers]] (1955–2016), [[NASA]] astronaut
* [[Tony Stratton Smith]], manager of the rock bands [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] and [[Van der Graaf Generator]]
* [[Norman Thorne]] (c.1902 – 1925), chicken farmer convicted of the Crowborough "Chicken run murder"
* Sir [[Tim Waterstone]], founder of [[Waterstones]] bookshop chain
* [[Kim Woodburn]], television presenter
* [[Cate Blanchett]], [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]]-winning Australian actress
* [[Kevin Brownlow]], filmmaker and [[History of film|film historian]]
* [[Kirsty Barton]], [[Brighton & Hove Albion]] footballer
* Matt Weston, Olympic [[Skeleton (sport)|skeleton]] racer<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thebbsa.co.uk/news-and-results/2020/team-gb-announce-olympic-skeleton-team/.|title= Team GB announce Olympic Skeleton team - BBSA}}</ref>
* [[Joanne Rout]], Paralympic swimmer
* [[Hugh Beaver]], founder of the ''Guinness Book of Records''
* [[Kim Philby]], Soviet spy<ref>{{cite book |last1=Macintyre |first1=Ben |title=A Spy Among Friends |date=2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury |location=London |isbn=978-1-4088-5178-4 |page=173}}</ref>

==Popular culture==
The town is the territorial designation in the title of the Duke of Crowborough (portrayed by [[Charlie Cox]]) in the first episode of the TV show ''[[Downton Abbey]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://metro.co.uk/2012/11/28/charlie-cox-i-get-recognised-more-from-downton-abbey-than-boardwalk-empire-3077897/|title = Charlie Cox: I get recognised more from Downton Abbey than Boardwalk Empire|date = 28 November 2012|work = Metro|access-date = 7 August 2014|archive-date = 8 August 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140808064327/http://metro.co.uk/2012/11/28/charlie-cox-i-get-recognised-more-from-downton-abbey-than-boardwalk-empire-3077897/|url-status = live}}</ref> Cox grew up in the vicinity of the town.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/charlie-cox-star-turn-775098.html|title = Charlie Cox: Star turn|date = 29 January 2008|work = The Independent|access-date = 7 August 2014|archive-date = 18 August 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110818043430/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/charlie-cox-star-turn-775098.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

==Local traditions==
A main event in the town's calendar is its annual celebration of [[Guy Fawkes Night]] on 5 November. An average of 5000 people descend upon Goldsmiths Recreation Ground for this town council event. Donations on the night are traditionally collected by the local [[Lions Club]] and now also the Rotary Club, and donated to the mayor's charity.

However this is overshadowed by carnival night, which sees the whole of the town taking to the streets on the second Saturday in September. This is run by the town's Bonfire and Carnival Society. It involves a fête on Chapel green during the day, followed by a torchlight parade led by the carnival princess in the evening, with various [[Sussex Bonfire Societies|Sussex bonfire societies]] joining the march round the streets. The evening culminates in a bonfire on Chapel Green or sometimes there have been fireworks at Goldsmiths Recreation Ground. Street collections are received on the night and are given to around six different local charities each year. On average the society raises about £2,000–£3,000 per year. This tradition dates back around 70 years and is part of Sussex Bonfire Tradition the largest event of which being the [[Lewes Bonfire]] celebrations on 5 November.

The town council also puts on a summer fair and a Christmas fair. A summer fun day is organised by the Crowborough Chamber of Commerce, and Crowborough Hospital has a fête every August Bank Holiday.

There is a farmers' market on the fourth Saturday of the month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Business/Market_Towns_and_Rural_Regeneration/Tourism_Local_Markets.aspx |title=Local Markets |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Wealden District Council |access-date=17 February 2016 |archive-date=9 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909090619/http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Business/Market_Towns_and_Rural_Regeneration/Tourism_Local_Markets.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and a French Market held as part of the Chamber of Commerce's Fun Day in June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://crowboroughchamber.co.uk/funday2016.html |title=Summer Fun Day 2016 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher=Crowborough & District Chamber of Commerce |access-date=17 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323070024/http://crowboroughchamber.co.uk/funday2016.html |archive-date=23 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As well as this for the last few years Sussex day has been celebrated on 16 June with a small fete in Chapel Green

According to local legend, Walshes Road is haunted by a bag of soot. The spectral bag pursues people walking along the road by night.<ref>{{cite book |last=Simpson |first=Jacqueline |date=1973 |title=The Folklore of Sussex |publisher=B. T. Batsford Ltd London |page=48 |isbn=0-7134-0240-7 }}</ref>

==Twin towns==
The town is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with:
* {{flagdeco|France}} [[Montargis]], [[France]]
* {{flagdeco|UK}} [[Horwich]], [[Greater Manchester]], England

On 22 April 1990, Crowborough and Horwich became the first towns in England to be twinned with other English towns.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/index.php/council/twinned-towns/88-twinned-towns.html | title=Twinned Towns | year=2011 | access-date=11 November 2012 | author=Crowborough Town Council | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017004613/http://www.crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/index.php/council/twinned-towns/88-twinned-towns.html | archive-date=17 October 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of current places of worship in Wealden]]
*[[List of former places of worship in Wealden]]
*[[Luxford House]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.crowboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/ Crowborough Town Council]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051023014920/http://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/councils/crowborough/ Crowborough Official Guide]

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Crowborough
|N  = [[Groombridge]]
|NE = [[Eridge]]<br />[[Boarshead]]
|E  = [[Rotherfield]]
|SE = [[Mayfield, East Sussex|Mayfield]]<br />[[Five Ashes]]
|S  = [[Hadlow Down]]
|SW = [[Maresfield]]<br />[[Uckfield]]
|W  = ''[[Ashdown Forest]]''
|NW = [[Hartfield]]<br />''[[Ashdown Forest]]''
}}

{{East Sussex1}}
{{Wealden}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Crowborough| ]]
[[Category:Towns in East Sussex]]
[[Category:Marilyns of England]]
[[Category:Hills of East Sussex]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in East Sussex]]
[[Category:Wealden District]]
[[Category:Ashdown Forest]]