St Leonards Regency Architecture James Burton Seaside Architecture East Sussex UK

James Burton & Decimus Burton Regency Architecture St Leonards

Regency architectural gems are on the East Coast of Sussex as well as the West at Brighton, Hove and elsewhere. St Leonards or Burtons St Leonards, aptly named after its famous New Town Regency architects, is a glorious centre for Regency architecture and a unique example of a Regency New Town in Britain.

The names of the architects James Burton (1761-1837) and Decimus Burton (1800-81), father and son, are synonymous with St Leonards-on-Sea. James Burton had already worked on projects such as Regent's Park alongside John Nash in London when he decided in later life to develop the Regency New Town project at St Leonards on the western edge of Hastings. After his death his son Decimus expanded the project.

Lodges, Baths, the Clock House and Villas all by James Burton feature in St Leonards. Burton's influence for many of the structures was John Nash and you can see the resemblance in design of St Leonards Gardens with with Regent's Park - the villas here at St Leonards also sit in and around the park. Burton had set to work on St Leonards from 1828. The Ionic terraces situated along the seafront are his work as well as the striking St Leonards Hotel which later became the Royal Victoria. The Greek Doric Assembly rooms now the Masonic Hall and the splendid St Leonards Gardens are also Burton's work.

A detailed guide and map to all the architectural buildings of interest in St Leonards is via the Visit 1066 webguide and the Hastings Museum & Art Gallery holds an extensive archive of architectural drawings by the Burtons.

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