Eridge - October 2000

Generally unstaffed, the station at Eridge is of a highly unusual design for a country station, having its booking office at street level instead of adjacent to a platform.

This design, more commonly found in congested urban locations, was dictated by the need to provide four platforms at what was once an important junction station. It also meant that many passengers were saved the trouble of having to negotiate two sets of stairs rather than just one.

To the north, passengers had the choice of trains to London or Tunbridge Wells and to the south, they had the option of travelling towards Lewes and Brighton or to Hailsham and Eastbourne on the picturesquely named Cuckoo Line.

Peeling off just south of Eridge at Redgate Mill junction, this curvacious and steeply graded single track route ran via Heathfield to connect with the main line at Polegate. Closed to passengers north of Hailsham in June 1965, complete closure came in September 1968 -- just as major housing estates were being developed in Hailsham! (Grid Ref. TQ 543 346)