The third edition of this book is now available!

First published on 1 September 2020, this book was updated and reprinted in October 2020. We have now reprinted it again, and this January 2023 version contains a small update regarding the St John sub Castro Church Hall.

As part of the Lewes History Group’s Street Stories series about our town, this book  documents with maps, artwork, documents and photographs, how the uses of this area changed over time. It looks at long-gone features such as sacred springs, medieval swanneries, a river navigation lock and a paper mill – and how these have contributed to the current landscape and natural history.

It also tells the story of the 19th century ‘pleasure grounds’, swimming pool, and recreation ground – remarkable achievements for a small market town.

The story includes the history of the former farmhouse, the oldest dwelling in the Pells, once part of the Shelley family’s domain, and reveals how the Lewes Cattle Market Company, which bought the farm as a site for a cattle market, became an accidental housing developer to help pay its bills.

Click on image for a sample page

The richly-illustrated, 160-page book covers many other intriguing elements of the Pells and is available from the Lewes Tourist Information Centre at £12.50, or by mail order. There are also copies for sale at the Pells Pool kiosk.

Press coverage, and readers’ comments.