2. Crowborough

Crowborough is an East Sussex town located approximately 40 miles to the south east of central London and 6 miles south of Tunbridge Wells.

The town is occupies a prominent position within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and borders the Ashdown Forest. This location with its outstanding views and extensive tree cover means that Crowborough is a much sought after location.

Road communications to the town are provided by the A26, which connects with Tunbridge Wells and Haywards Heath (to the south west via A272) and Uckfield 6 miles to the south. Crowborough is on the London - Uckfield railway line with hourly service throughout the day.

The present town developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as an outpost of Tunbridge Wells (six miles north east) for the newly enriched middle classes. As Tunbridge Wells was enjoyed for the recuperative power of its spa waters, Crowborough became a fresh air resort in the Edwardian Era. In the second half of the twentieth century the town's population expanded threefold from 7,000 to its current size of 20,000.

The rapid growth in population has put pressure on the town's services and infrastructure. The hospital was modernized and enlarged only after a vigorous campaign. Beacon Community College is a large and well regarded comprehensive school serving the outlying districts as well as the town. A new library building enabled the old one to be used as the Town Council Offices.

The existing town centre has not changed much in size over this period of rapid growth. It has a wide range of retail outlets, including some national chains as well as local businesses. The town centre is now moving into a time of change with the development of two further supermarkets plus the provision of community facilities and the enhancement and refurbishment of parts of the town centre.

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