Poets Corner

This area of Hove was developed from 1880 onwards and has changed little over the years.

A few years ago the area had become run down and shabby but a very active and determined residents’ society halted the decline and turned the area into a desirable place to live. It has become particularly popular with people moving down from London who can commute to the capital from nearby Hove or Aldrington Halt railway stations.

Some of the small corner shops and pubs in the area have gone but, like the Hanover area of Brighton, there is a strong sense of community which it celebrates in an annual festival.

As a walk down any of its streets will confirm, the area is dotted with small workshops and businesses, which help the locality to thrive. Thanks to the residents’ society a derelict building in a corner of Stoneham Park was turned into a community resource by adding a kiosk, cafe, toilets, meeting room and computer suite. The park also features shaded areas for those seeking some peace and quiet, with a new rock garden area recently added.

All this activity has transformed the park from a meeting place for drug dealers and drinkers into a place for all the family.

Poets Corner is bounded by Sackville Road to the east and Alpine Road to the west with Portland Road and the railway line to the south and north. The area is very popular and these days it includes Livingstone Road and many of the other small streets between Sackville Road and Hove Station.

Notable local buildings include the former Hove General Hospital, now converted into sought-after apartments, several churches and schools.

St Barnabas Church in Sackville Road was built in 1883 in brick and flint. There are also churches in Montgomery Street and Portland Road and Hove YMCA is based in Marmion Road.

Although on the edge of Poets Corner, Portland Road is its natural shopping area with its shops, cafes, pubs, offices and regular buses. The area is mainly terraced house with small gardens and flats which make it very popular with first time buyers and young families.

Young mum Sara Chisholm, who has lived in the area for seven years, said: “As a young family (two boys, 5 and 3 years) we have everything we need on our doorstep.

“Easy walking distance to the beach, a short bus ride or cycle along the seafront into Brighton. We have an outstanding school (West Hove) and Stoneham Park, Wish Park and the Lagoon close by for the boys to let off steam and hang out with friends. The atmospheric and newly spruced-up George Payne and the Stoneham pubs, both serving great food and drink allow us to do the same!

“New local shops on Portland Road like Quaff, Black Radish, Hungry Monkey and an excellent butchers, bakers and fishmongers (sadly no candle stick maker) in Richardson Road make local shopping a pleasure.

“There's a great community feel in Poets Corner. Recent street parties, a makeover for the park and the brilliant resident organised summer festival in Stoneham Park has brought people together. We know, and actually enjoy the company of, our neighbours! It's great to have people on the doorstep who want to help each other out, we share school runs and baby-sitting a massive help when you are running a business and bringing up a young family.

“Residents have clubbed together to plant trees along our road and the 'friends of Stoneham Park' have secured another large grant to further improve the playground which is already a great place to hang out.

“It's a really good place to start a family and thanks to the people who live here it's getting better all the time.”