The Grange is a Georgian house, originally built as a vicarage. It was later extended by the Rev Dr Thomas Redman Ho**er, the much loved vicar of St Margaret’s Church from 1792 – 1838. It is possible that an underground tunnel ran from The Grange to the beach for Dr Ho**er’s sideline as a smugglers’ “lookout” man! More respectably, he established a well-known school for boys that attracted the son
s of many wealthy and distinguished families. His effigy and plaque are on the wall in nearby St Margaret’s Church. A nationally more famous resident was Sir William Nicholson RA who produced a number of downland and coastal oil paintings of this area where he lived between 1909 – 1914. He called himself “the painter of the Downs”, and was in his time as famous as Kipling. During WWII the Grange was used as an Officers’ Mess. During the 1950’s it was taken over by the local authorities to house the library and the museum. In 1992 it seemed likely that, due to of lack of funds, the museum and exhibition facilities on the first floor and the public library on the ground floor would be closed. The Preservation Society came to the rescue and in 1993 obtained a lease on the building so that this important village building would not be lost. The lease with Brighton and Hove Council has recently been extended to 2030
Today as well as the Public Library, The Grange houses a Museum, an Art Gallery, a Tourist Office and, in the summer months, a Tea Garden.
