East Grinstead is a town with many historic buildings. The town is the home of the longest run 14th-Century timber-framed buildings England has to offer which can be found on the High Street. There is also the Sackville College with grand views of Ashodon Forest. The sandstone almshouse that was constructed in 1609 is this building in which John Mason Neale wrote "Good King Wnceslas", a Christmas Carol. On the highest ground in the town stands the St. Swithuns Church. The church's tower dates back to 1789 and it was completely rebuilt in the 18th Century with James Wyatt's perpendicular design.

The church dominates the surrounding countryside for miles. John Mason Neale is buried in the south east corner of the churches graveyard as well as the East Grinstead Martyrs. The East Court Mansion dates back to 1769 and is where the Town Council is now held. The Greenwich Meridian goes through the grounds of the mansion, allowing visitors a chance to stand with one foot on the east and one foot on the west parts of town. The East Grinstead Society was started in 1968 to protect the historical buildings in Eat Grinstead and their environments, as well as improve upon them for the future.

East Grinstead is the home of Ashdown Forest, the forest of the famous Winnie-the-Pooh stories. There is also the Bluebell Railway with it's steam locomotives and preserved line. During WWII the famous plastic surgeon Archibald McIndow treated burns victims in the towns Queen Victoria Hospital where he formed the Guinea Pig Club. The town is within close proximity of many great sites including Sir Winston Churchill's home on Chartwell and Anne Boleyn 's ( Henry VIII's 2nd wife) home, Hever Castle. Also there is the home of the Sidney family, Penhurt Place.

East Grinstead was the German's secondary bombing target during WWII if they were unable to hit their mark in London. On July 9, 1943 there was a Luftwaffe bomber who has become separated from the rest of his squad and then proceeded to attack the town. 108 people were killed when one of the bombs landed on Whitehall Cinema located on the High Street. It included many children who were enjoying a afternoon matinee. It was the largest single loss of life of all the air raids in Sussex.

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