Patcham is an area approximately three miles north of the city centre of Brighton and Hove. Originally a separate village based around the ancient All Saints church, the parish of Patcham extended to 32 square miles and encompassed large parts of what are now adjacent suburbs such as Withdean, Westdene, Hollingbury and Tongdean. The centre of the original village which is now bypassed by the modern A23, is a conservation area with several listed buildings. According to the Domesday Book compiled in 1086, Patcham, which had a population of more than 1,000 people, was seen as one of the largest settlements in Sussex.
Patcham's parish church All Saints stands on a hill above the village and appears to date from the twelfth century. Situated above the thirteenth century chancel arch are the remains of a painting of the Last Judgement discovered during a restoration of 1883. The village war memorial stands within the churchyard, while on the northern side of the church is the grave of smuggler Daniel Scales. On his way to Patcham with contraband on 7th November 1796 he was shot by customs men after refusing to surrender his booty.
Waterhall windmill was the last working windmill to be built in Sussex. Construction of the tower started in February 1884 by a local builder named Hubbard. The well known Shoreham millwright firm J. W. Holloway & Son was employed to install the machinery and work was completed by February 1885.There has been many a change of ownership over the years and during the 1960's Waterhall windmill was converted into a residence with the later addition of a modern extension. Even so a fair amount of machinery was left in place, including the windshaft, brakewheel and complete drive to the millstones. In fact the millstones are still in situ under a bedroom floor.
The Ladies Mile Road is an old drove road from Patcham to Stanmer Park which became popular with horsewomen in the late nineteenth century. Property developer George Ferguson, a man who made his money on speculative developments in London and Lancing, lived in the White House in Ladies Mile Road while the estate was built. Building plots were sold for £5 and finished houses fetched a grand sum of £550. In 1934 a four-bedroom house with a garage would have cost £795 cash or £75 deposit and the remaining £720 paid off over 25 years. The homes were so popular that other developments sprang up around the Ladies Mile Estate making Patcham a thriving community.
Patcham and its neighbouring areas of Hollingbury, Westdene and Withdean have always been popular places for people to set up home. Properties are mainly 2/3 bedroom semi-detached bungalows, houses with gardens, along with a number of larger detached homes. The area has good schools, making it ideal for young families, with plenty of local shops, reliable bus services and easy access to the city centre. Patcham is just off the A23 and the A27 making it a perfect base for commuters.
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