South of the Town the landscape is dominated by the brow of the chalk escarpment where the South Downs stretch along the skyline to the famous white cliffs at Beachy Head. From Beachy Head starts the South Downs Way which provides an attractive walk through unspoilt countryside for ramblers and horse riders right across Sussex and into Hampshire.
The levels east of Polegate have been reclaimed from the sea by man and by nature over many hundreds of years as Pevensey Bay has slowly silted up. This is probably where Polegate got its name. The old name for land reclaimed from the sea is Polder, which is still used in Holland. Therefore Polder gate (or Polegate) is the gateway to the Polder. The resulting farmland was irrigated to improve it further and is now as rich and productive a farming area as anywhere in the County.
The Council provides and maintains Allotments, some Street Lighting, Bus Shelters, Street Seats, Children’s Play Areas, Recreation Grounds including facilities on them for cricket, football, stoolball etc. a skate park a BMX Track and other amenity areas.
Other services provided in the Council Offices are:
Indoor activities are catered for in the Community Centre in Windsor Way. There is a fine hall with a stage where the local drama society presents many productions and a well received pantomime each year. The hall is also used for dancing and a variety of shows. The Community Centre hosts many other organisations, including a Playgroup, Table Tennis Club, Short Mat Bowls, Luncheon Club for the over 60’s etc. The Community Centre is also the regular meeting place for many well supported societies. Contact the Community Centre on 01323 482434.
If you are looking for something a little more exciting there is the Arlington Stadium which provides the thrills and spills of Elite League Speedway and Hot Rod and Banger Racing throughout the season.
Polegate Twinning Association is a very active group, and a very enthusiastic committee. Exchange visits are arranged between Appen and Saintry-sur-Seine every year. Each year there is a visit to and a visit from either Appen or Saintry. Both Towns provide accommodation with host families and an interesting programme is arranged.
There is an information service and a wide range of groups for interest such as Bridge, Chess, German and Crafts. Social activities such as lunch clubs, Swimming, Tea dances etc., as well as those offering specialised help. These include the Stroke Victims Groups, Diabetic and Cancer Support and one for Carers of the Elderly.
This website is intended as a source of information for the residential and business community of Polegate and for social and business visitors. Polegate is served by a three tier system of local government. Polegate Town Council, which administers the very local services, Wealden District Council and the East Sussex County Council.
