Withdean
{{Short description|Former village in East Sussex, England}}
{{For|the athletics stadium that was (until 2011) the home of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Withdean Stadium}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Withdean
| unitary_england = Brighton and Hove
| lieutenancy_england = East Sussex
| region = South East England
| country = England
| latitude =
| longitude =
| constituency_westminster = Brighton, Pavilion
| post_town = BRIGHTON
| postcode_area = BN
| postcode_district = BN1
| dial_code = 01273
| os_grid_reference =
| population = 14,452
| london_distance =
}}
File:Withdean Hall - geograph.org.uk - 291642.jpg
Withdean is a former village, now part of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex.
Overview
The area was originally named in the 12th century, when it was called Wictedene.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} The area was historically farm land but has been developed, mainly in the 1920s and 1930s, with a mix of detached, semi-detached and mid-rise flats.
The Withdean manor was originally the property of the great Cluniac Priory of St. Pancras at Lewes, until 1537. This was then given to Anne of Cleves in 1541 by Henry VIII. The manor was demolished in 1936.
This is where Withdean Stadium is located, which was the temporary home of Brighton and Hove Albion F.C. between 1999 and 2011. The stadium site was formerly Brighton Zoo built in 1920.
Withdean Woods, next to the stadium, is a wooded hillside nature reserve approximately 2.47 acres (1 ha) in size. This is the home of several woodland birds including the great spotted woodpecker, tawny owl and goldcrest.
Withdean Park is also located in this area, and is home to the national collection of lilacs with over 320 varieties.[http://www.nccpg.com/Default.Aspx?Page.Aspx?Page=395 The Lilac Collection at Brighton by Phil Williamson] Collections of berberis, cotoneaster and viburnum can also be found here.
Withdean is referenced in the chapter "The Wiseman of Withdean" of the fantasy novel The Brightonomicon.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Brighton and Hove}}
{{coord|50|51|02|N|00|09|07|W|display=title}}
Category:Areas of Brighton and Hove
Category:Conservation areas in England
{{EastSussex-geo-stub}}