Brighton's Lost Village - Bombed to Oblivion by the Allies. Sussex Map Mysteries: Episode 3

Old maps often have curious things on them, which lead us back to a different age. Join me as I discover what some of these things were, and what is left today.
In this episode I visit the lost village of Balsdean, which, although it is in open countryside, is actually part of Brighton & Hove.
A small community lived here, in a valley tucked away from view, just east of where Woodingdean is today. The hamlet is wiped from the maps following the Second World War, and never returns.
I visit the area today, and look at how the village was destroyed in the second world war and completely reduced to rubble; not by German forces but by the British and their allies.
Some would say this is a ghost village, although I prefer the term "lost village", as the village has been lost completely, rather than being ghostly remains with no soul!
Thanks go to all the websites that provided me with information on Balsdean.
The British Newspaper Archive: www.britishnew...
Newmarket Hill Blog's excellent post on the village: southdownhill....
The museums of Brighton and Hove, whose Digital Media Bank provided copies of the photographs: dams-brightonm...
I'm not an historian, and all my research has been done through the mighty Goggle and the local library. This isn't supposed to be a complete or accurate history by any means, and apologies if there are any clanging factual errors.

[@Mikey-st9um]

Very interesting video. My dad lived at Norton farm when he was very young. He remembers the army arriving who told them to leave. My dad is 88 now. His story can be found in the book. The Hunsmere way, the story of Woodingdean by Peter Mercer.

[@humayunkabir9279]

I have lived in Brighton between 1975 and 1979 while i was studying in Sussex, however i never knew this history , i only knew regarding shoraham airport in WWll
Thanks for this information . Next time i visit brighton i will make sure to learn about this

[@returnoftheredeye]

Recently discovered this area for running. It's gorgeous, and as you mention, very secluded.

[@Htdobb458e]

We used to play over here as kids, I had no idea of its history until very recently.

[@VincentComet-l8e]

Very interesting, thanks.
I’m afraid it’s a very common story that once the military were let loose on other people’s property they indulged in mindless vandalism, and left a trail of destruction in their wake…

[@markcowen9538]

There was famously a murder up there in 1868 when a 61 year old farm worker called David Baldy was brutally killed by a former lodger (Martin Brown) who was subsequently caught and hanged at Lewes Gaol.

[@whereinsussex]

I'll have to read up on this, it wasn't something I was aware of!

[@claire76leach]

I've walked up there, also to Harvey's Cross close by to there. Thanks Steve for making this video. As always very interesting.

[@whereinsussex]

I didn't have time to stroll up to Harvey's Cross this time. I think it has had some TLC recently? I did think you'd like this video when I was making it!

[@ansomeBob]

Walked up there a few times, and geocached.
Good video, enjoyed that.

[@whereinsussex]

I forgot to download the caches and the signal wasn't great, plus spent so long filming etc

[@JR_Taylor]

Thanks. I used to cycle this area and didnt know the extent to what was lost

[@whereinsussex]

You'd not know anything unless you knew the history of the place, it is like it was just erased from the surface of the Earth

[@Mark-Creed1962]

Its a great little walk around there.

[@paulstanley518]

great stuff

[@rigavitch]

heartbreaking

[@scottbn2reviews779]

great video pal! what entrance did you use to get onto the path? cheers!

[@whereinsussex]

I went up from Rottingdean on Bazehill Road