Saint Leonards-on-sea

The seaside resort town of St. Leonards-on-Sea in the pretty county of East Sussex developed in the early 19^th century as a destination for the wealthy, with elegant houses and an outstanding central public garden.  It was James Burton, a successful London architect responsible for the development of Bloomsbury and many of the houses around Regent's Park, who first bought land here with the intention of creating a seaside resort. As the town grew, it spread west towards the other resort town of Hastings and by 1875, the two towns merged. The railways had arrived too by this time and both towns prospered from the increase in tourism.

St. Leonards is a delightful seaside town that attracts visitors to its pretty squares, long seafront and wealth of historic and visitor attractions. The small original town of St. Leonards is still evident despite the vast growth that has followed. Along with historic buildings, seaside attractions, plenty of shops, eateries, pubs and activities, St. Leonard’s offers the natural beauty of its gardens; Warrior Square Gardens opened to the public in 1852, Markwick Gardens was created in the 1860’s, Gensing Gardens that opened in 1872 and St. Leonards Gardens dating from 1879.