Glynde, East Sussex

Glynde is a village in East Sussex, situated two miles east of Lewes. The village is notable for Glynde Place, an Elizabethan manor house built in 1569 by William Morley. This historic house, constructed from Sussex flint and Caen stone, was extensively remodelled in the 18th century by Richard Trevor, Bishop of Durham, who added distinctive features including flint walls adorned with heraldic wyverns.

The parish church of St Mary the Virgin, designed by Sir Thomas Robinson and dedicated in 1765, stands out for its Palladian style and Sussex flint façade. It replaced an earlier church and originally featured coloured Flemish glass windows, some of which survive in Glynde Place. Nearby, Mount Caburn rises to 480 feet, crowned by an Iron Age hill fort, offering a glimpse into the area’s ancient past.

Glynde’s history is intertwined with agriculture and industry. It was the birthplace of the Southdown sheep breed, developed by John Ellman. The village also had chalk pits used for lime production, which were important for local agriculture and building. A notable industrial innovation was the electric telpherage railway, established in 1885 to transport clay from pits to the railway station.

The village lies close to Glyndebourne, famed for its opera festival held since 1934. Glynde has a collection of 27 listed buildings, reflecting its rich architectural heritage. Visitors can explore the manor house, enjoy walks on the South Downs, or visit the local forge and teashop. The village’s historic railway station opened in 1846, linking Glynde to the wider region.