Although Eastbourne is one of the best known resorts in Sussex, large parts of it are forever Devonshire.

That is because the Dukes of Devonshire, large landowners in the town, were responsible for much of its development.

William Cavendish, 7th Duke from 1858, inherited a large estate there in 1834 and appointed Decimus Burton, the notable architect, to draw up plans for building homes.

But Burton was more interested in carrying out his outstanding work a little further east at St Leonards. He resigned after producing just one church in Eastbourne.

The Duke also lost interest for a while before realising how valuable his Sussex estate could be. He allowed a railway to pass through his land and the line to London was opened in 1849, providing a tremendous spur for new housing.

This time he appointed the less well known James Berry to produce plans for the seafront. Work began on large houses and a promenade before Berry fell out of favour.

He was replaced by Henry Currey, who remained in post until the 7th Duke died in 1891. His father and brother were already the family’s solicitors.

It was Currey who oversaw the development of central Eastbourne, with wide tree-lined roads that gave the resort such a select character.

While other resorts like Brighton grew largely at random in mid-Victorian times, Eastbourne became an early model of town planning.

Having developed Eastbourne from the pier to what is now Devonshire Place, the Duke and Currey turned their attentions to the western part of town.

The seafront was extended by more than a mile to reach the remote area known as Holywell. As the land rose towards Beachy Head, so the new development involved the creation of three enormous terraces.

Land excavated from them was used to make firm foundations for housing at the lower level close to the sea.

They also designed a red-bricked area backing on to the Downs called the Meads, which is still attractive today.

All this meant that when roads were built for cars the main artery did not come along the western coast, leaving it quiet and pleasant. Unusually there were also no seafront shops.

George Wallis, the Duke’s agent, was also a major developer responsible for building hundreds of homes. He became Eastbourne’s first mayor in 1883.

All this housing needed other amenities. The Duke provided land and money for new churches and Eastbourne College.

He also helped create baths, a pavilion and a floral hall at Devonshire Park, a handsome green space near the heart of Eastbourne.

The town grew quickly until by the Edwardian era it was the second largest resort in Britain, with only Brighton being bigger.

There has been much more development since then and the suburbs are much the same as everywhere else.

But the centre and seafront of Eastbourne has always retained its elegant air thanks largely to the 7th Duke’s enterprise and social concern.

  • More details can be found in the East Sussex book in the Buildings Of England series published by Yale, £35