Davies Gilbert (born Giddy)/Davies-Gilbert

Gildredge Manor (formerly known as The Manor House, the Gilbert/Gildredge Manor House and more recently the (old) Towner Art Gallery and Museum) was originally built by the Reverend Dr. Henry Lushington (the vicar of Eastbourne) in 1776 on the site of a former inn.

The original building is of the late Georgian period (during the reign of King George III). And although the architect is unknown, it has similarities with buildings designed by Sir Robert Taylor (1714–1788). It has a connection to the famous Adam brothers with some typical Adam features in the house as well as a Hermitage in the adjoining Manor Gardens known as the Adam House.

The view by S. Grimm shows the house in 1785. A description of 1787 stated that it was “the best house and gardens in this village and most delightfully situated, both for land and sea prospects”.

Reverend Lushington’s son Stephen sold it to a relation Charles Gilbert in 1792 and it remained in the family (later the Davies-Gilberts) until 1922. There was also a connection by marriage to a member of the Gildredge family, who were landowners of much of Eastbourne hence the link to Gildredge Park.

In 1922 the family decided to sell the house by auction and it was eventually bought by the town and turned into an art gallery (and later also a museum). It was under their ownership for over 80 years until the end of 2005, when the Council sold it on to a private developer. The building ended up standing empty for 6 years and fell into dereliction.

Mark and Emma (current owners) bought it in 2011 and set about restoring it to its former glory and opening it back up to visitors and the community for a wide range of uses including education, the arts, Manor house weddings and celebratory occasions.

The house includes some fine original features including the main staircase, door cases, panelled doors and ceiling cornices.