Brighton Open Door 2010

No 8 Foundry Street was once a warehouse

Victorian homes in the North Laine

By Peter Crowhurst, North Laine resident

Brighton Open Door 2010, which was part of Heritage Open Days, took place over the weekend of 10th-13th September 2010. As with previous years, the North Laine figured prominently in this event.

Houses opened up

A number of North Laine residents opened up their houses for viewing, including residents in Pelham Square, Kensington Place and Over Street. 

Victorian terraced houses

Our homes may not be mansions, but they are all examples of Victorian homes.  By opening them to the public, we can give people who may not have been in a Victorian terraced house before an insight into how the Victorians lived.

Many original features

Visitors to our homes saw how Brighton houses in the mid 19th century were built with bungaroosh and what this meant. They saw many original features such as fireplaces, stair banisters, traditional cupboards and drawers and sometimes original wallpaper from 100 years ago.

The life they led

Some householders explained who had lived in the house, what kind of life they would have led and how the houses were heated and food cooked.

Insight into a bygone era

Our homes can give an insight into a bygone era and as such are valued historical places. Thanks must go those residents who opened up their homes and gave tours and presentations.  All the tours to North Laine homes were booked up well in advance and the visitors were really appreciative.

Several historical tours

In addition to the homes that were opened up, there were also several historical tours of the area, which complemented the recently launched North Laine trail leaflet. These were very popular and those who came were treated to a very different view of the North Laine. They were taken to the centre of what was Brighton’s industrial quarter and were shown where slaughterhouses, breweries and foundries once existed and where in the North Laine the "red light district" operated!

More guided walks planned

There will be a number of similar North Laine guided walks over the coming year.  These will be advertised on this website, so if you were one of those who missed out on the historical walks this year keep an eye out....

[Previously published in the North Laine Runner, No 206, September/October 2010]