Remnants remain to the south of the town.
The railway was responsible for the growth of the town in the late 19 th century. It has wonderful fast links to many parts of the United Kingdom and is only twenty minutes from Gatwick Airport . Possibly the most interesting building is the old lunatic asylum built on the ridge to the south of the town. St. Francis' Hospital, the asylum for the whole county, employed hundreds and was a self-supporting community with its own bakery, brewery and much else besides. It is in the process of being transformed into upmarket housing, now renamed Southdown Park, some of which have already been sold.