Coach Roads question

Does anyone know of a good resource on early 19th C roads? I need to know what route a coach would most likely have take from London to Eastbourne. The Brighton Road, then east? Or was there another more direct route?

Mary, if you haven't rejoined The Beau Monde, it has a Facebook page now where you'll probably get lots of references. I was thinking of Frank Morley's The Great North Road, but that's the wrong direction. :)

Hello Mary, I have carried out a lot of Sussex research because of my family history (I'm in Australia and have an ancestor born in Eastbourne in 1560) so I had fun doing this research. I hope it helps you! My conclusion is that passengers went by coach (as per the following para) to Lewes and changed to the Eastbourne coach. However, unless they arrived on schedule and there was a connecting coach, they may have had to stay overnight in Lewes -- perhaps at the 'Star'.

"Lewes and Brighthelmstone—new machine to hold four persons, by Charley, sets out by the `George Inn,' in the Haymarket, St. James's at six o'clock in the morning, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, in one day to the `Star' at Lewes, and the `Old Ship' at Brighthelmstone, and returns from there every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Inside passengers to Lewes to pay thirteen shillings; to Brighthelmstone, sixteen shillings. To be allowed fourteen pounds weight of baggage, all above to pay one penny per pound." This site has an explanation of the Coaching Days: http://www.oldandsold.com/articles25/railroads-1.shtml

"Comp Lane byway, also known as the Old Coach Road, was once part of the main route between Lewes and Eastbourne before the introduction of the A27. The underhill road remains particularly discernible between Berwick and Firle..." See: http://sussex.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/a-stroll-through-the-south-downs--p...

Very evocative photo at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/worthingwanderer/5311995834/ I can almost see the coach travelling along that road!

More photos: http://www.yumping.co.uk/trails/4x4/easy-off-roading-on-the-old-coach-road--r471

And here is a book Turnpike Territory : A guide to the Old Coach Road etc (no touchstone result) See: http://www.tyrrellsussexbooks.com/books_4.php

A review of that book and a bit more info here: http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/following-the-wagons-trails-through-su...

Thank you so much! THis is fabulous! I am writing a P&P sequel, Mary and Kitty: A Tale of Two Sisters http://maryandkitty.blogspot.com/

I need to have Mary spend the night on the way from London to Eastbourne and this is perfect. Now I am unstuck!

Happy to have helped! I'll look forward to reading your blogspot in more detail. Great job!