Description

By Shirley Anne Cook

The book documents the rich and varied history of Broadfield House in Crawley, Sussex.

Built in the early 1800s, it was once home to various notable families, including the Sandemans of port fame, and the coffee plantation owning Viner family.

Also associated with Broadfield were a number of infamous characters, such as the forger Henry Fauntleroy and John Haigh, the acid bath murderer.

In 1948 the house became the offices for the Crawley Development Corporation. The author’s father became head gardener on the estate and caretaker of the house, and moved into Broadfield Cottage.

The lives of the families who lived in the house are revealed through photographs and anecdote, along with family memories of growing up on the estate, in the shadow of this once fine Georgian mansion.

Many pictures, accounts, details and much more, it’s easy to dip into here and there, or read cover to cover. Highly recommended to locals and others – it would make a perfect gift.

Crawley Museum has been appointed as the sole outlet for the printed version of this book.

168 pages. 174 illustrations