Polegate is a small, friendly town just north of Eastbourne, tucked in the gap between the Weald and the South Downs. Once a busy Victorian railway junction, today it’s a popular commuter town with its own station, a historic working windmill, and the start of the much-loved Cuckoo Trail on its doorstep. Here’s our guide to Polegate.
About Polegate
Polegate is a town and civil parish in the Wealden district of East Sussex, lying around four miles north of Eastbourne — close enough that it’s now effectively part of the greater Eastbourne area, merging with neighbouring Willingdon to the south. It sits on a low ridge in the gap between the wooded Weald to the north and the chalk of the South Downs, with the Pevensey Levels stretching away to the east. Home to somewhere around 9,000 people, it has the feel of a self-contained small town — its own high street, schools and station — while enjoying easy access to both the coast and the countryside.
History and the railway
Until the coming of the railways in the 1840s, Polegate was just a small settlement within the parish of Hailsham, though an ancient Roman road between Pevensey and Lewes had long passed through, and an 18th-century turnpike linked London and Eastbourne. Everything changed with the railway: the line between Lewes and Hastings opened in the 1840s, and with later branches to Eastbourne and Hailsham, Polegate became a significant junction. A freight terminal served the market town of Hailsham and the local brick-making industry, and the town grew to house the railway workers who kept it all running. A wonderful survivor from just before that era is Polegate Windmill (Ovenden’s Mill), a tower windmill built in 1817 that worked into the 1940s and is now a lovingly restored working museum, open to visitors on summer days thanks to its volunteers.
Did you know? The famous 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper lived in Polegate’s neighbouring village of Folkington, at the foot of the Downs — and the striking Long Man of Wilmington hill-figure is carved into Windover Hill just a short distance away.
Things to do around Polegate
Polegate’s best-known attraction is the start of the Cuckoo Trail, an 11-mile traffic-free walking, cycling and horse-riding route that follows a former railway line north through the Sussex countryside towards Hailsham and Heathfield — part of the National Cycle Network and a genuine local gem. The windmill museum is well worth a visit in season, and the town has recreation grounds with open space, a skate park and a BMX track. Being on the edge of the South Downs, Polegate is also a handy launch pad for downland walks, with the Long Man of Wilmington and the wider National Park within easy reach.
Living in Polegate
Polegate is a popular choice for commuters, and it’s easy to see why. It has its own railway station on the East Coastway line, with regular Southern services to Eastbourne, Brighton, Hastings and London, and it sits right at the junction of the A27 and A22, putting Brighton and Hastings within about an hour by road. The high street covers everyday needs with shops, a supermarket and local services, while Eastbourne’s much larger range of shops and facilities is only a short hop away. Housing is a mix of older streets and newer estates, with ongoing new-build development adding to the town — making it worth researching specific areas and prices if you’re thinking of moving here.
Good to know: population figures vary between censuses, and house prices and new developments change over time — it’s worth checking current local listings and, as always, the long-term flood-risk information for any specific address before you commit.
Polegate: FAQs
Where is Polegate?
Polegate is a small town in the Wealden district of East Sussex, about four miles north of Eastbourne, in the gap between the Weald and the South Downs. It’s now effectively part of the greater Eastbourne area and adjoins Willingdon to the south.
Does Polegate have a railway station?
Yes — Polegate has its own station on the East Coastway line, with regular Southern services to Eastbourne, Brighton, Hastings and London. Together with its position at the A27/A22 junction, this makes it a popular commuter town.
What is there to do in Polegate?
The Cuckoo Trail walking and cycling route starts in Polegate, the restored 1817 windmill is open as a museum in summer, and the South Downs and Long Man of Wilmington are close by. Eastbourne’s seafront and attractions are just a short journey away.
Is Polegate a good place to live?
Many people find it so, thanks to its own station, road links, high-street amenities and countryside on the doorstep, all while being close to Eastbourne. As with anywhere, it’s worth researching individual streets, prices and flood risk before moving.
Explore nearby: read our guides to Willingdon, Hampden Park, and the best areas to live in Eastbourne.