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Why to move to Rottingdean

Rottingdean is an extraordinarily beautiful village that sits by the sea atop picturesque, white chalk cliffs. Residents of Rottingdean are proud to call this wonderful village home, and property has become scarce as more and more city dwellers are seeing the benefits of a quieter and more peaceful village life. Rottingdean is ideally situated only a few minutes away from Brighton and Hove, and from there it’s less than an hour’s train journey to London. In Rottingdean, locals can get away from the hectic pace of the city while still being within easy reach of all of its amenities.

Rottingdean also benefits from a lovely collection of local, independent shops that line the main street of the village. Here locals and visitors can purchase everything from specialty confections to designer footwear. The area also has excellent local schools, from St Margaret’s and Our Lady of Lourdes primary schools to the world-famous Roedean School only just down the road, making it a perfect location for families.

History of Rottingdean

The name Rottingdean derives from Old English, meaning “valley of the people of Rota”. Rota probably refers to the name of a leader of one of the Saxon clans who invaded the area around 500 AD, conquering the resident Roman and British inhabitants and claiming the land for their own. The village was recorded in the Domesday book in 1086 under the name “Rotingeden”, and by the seventeenth century the name had evolved to the more recognisable “Rottendeane”.

Although village life over the centuries has mostly been quiet and passed uneventfully, Rottingdean was the subject of a pirate raid in 1377 that left some of the village burned to the ground. The pirates were met by force and soon departed, but over a hundred citizens were killed during the raid and two of the area’s knights as well as the Lewes Prior were captured and later ransomed.

Today, the village of Rottingdean is home to about 2,500 inhabitants. Historically it has been a farming village, although over the centuries numerous members of upper-class society made Rottingdean their home, preferring the quiet village to the more boisterous and colourful society of Brighton. The most famous inhabitant is almost certainly Rudyard Kipling, whose home still stands near the village centre today. Kipling’s uncle, the painter Sir Edward Burne-Jones and the creator of St Margaret’s world-renowned stained glass windows, is another famous inhabitant.

Dine

For a small village, Rottingdean benefits from an impressive range of wonderful restaurants. Here one can find excellent traditional pubs such as the Plough Inn and Ye Olde Black Horse, amongst many others. The village also boasts several cozy cafés and tea rooms, as well as bistros, delicatessens, and all manner of world cuisines. Plus, Brighton and all of its award-winning restaurants are only a few short minutes away, offering even more fine restaurants to choose from.

Shop

Rottingdean has a variety of wonderful shops that sell everything from fresh bread to antiques. The village is the perfect place to spend an afternoon perusing the windows for that perfect item or to relax with a hot cup of coffee at one of Rottingdean’s excellent cafés. For even more shops, visit the nearby Brighton Marina, or head straight into the city centre to enjoy Brighton’s Churchill Square, which offers over 80 high street shops, the eclectic shops of the North Laine, or the high-end designs of the Lanes. Whatever you’re after, between the cobblestone streets of Rottingdean to the myriad offerings of Brighton, you’re sure to find exactly what you need.

Explore

Rottingdean is ideally situated next to the sea and close to the city of Brighton. Many a morning and afternoon has been spent strolling along the white chalk cliffs that flank the village and offer an amazing view over the sea. Explore Beacon Mill, Rottingdean’s most iconic landmark, and don’t forget a picnic lunch! Or visit the Grange Museum or the beautiful St Margaret’s Church to step back in time to the thirteenth century. Rottingdean is an extraordinarily beautiful village that must be seen to be appreciated.