The Grade II listed north portal by David Moccatta (architect of Brighton Station) dates from 1841 whilst the cottage, was built eight years later.

After the AGM held at St Michael’s Church on 7th June at which Jim Gowans, Corinne Attwood and Gabi Tubbs were re-elected as trustees, David Porter gave an illustrated talk “Life Above a Railway Tunnel”; the story of his extraordinary home which is the cottage built above the north portal of Clayton Tunnel on the Brighton to London mainline. A former resident of Vernon Terrace in our conservation area, our speaker told the tale featuring bold Victorian engineers, plucky railway families, all manner of flora and fauna, home-made jam and wine, railway disasters, secret passages and a few ghosts. He also had a surprise revelation. As this article does not which to publish a “spoiler” for future audiences, it will not be disclosed here!