Old Steine
Old Steine
The fishermens' workplace
By Geoffrey Mead
The Steine was an area of low ground next to the Old Town. A stream ran through it, which now flows beneath the lawns, through huge Victorian sewers.
The fishermen used this grassy area as a workplace. It was a public area where they could mend boats, dry nets, cure fish, and keep animals.
The upper classes took over the Steine. The fishermen were gradually moved off the common as Brighton became fashionable. The Steine was laid out with flowerbeds and gravel walks, so the gentry could promenade.
This page was added on 23/08/2006.