The eleven BT Telephone Exchanges (and six former) in the Eastbourne (01323) telephone area
The exchanges near the centre of Eastbourne originally had the STD code of 0323, whilst the outer ring of
exchanges had the STD code of 0321, before being changed to 0323, then finally to 01323 in 1995.
Alfriston ATE
Alfriston former ATE
The former Alfriston exchange stands behind the existing exchange in Winton Street, Alfriston, Polegate BN26 5UH.
It was built by the Eastbourne firm of Y J Lovell and Son and came into service as a UAX13 in 1951. We believe it was replaced by the current exchange around 1976 when lines became Alfriston 870***.
East Dean ATE
Eastbourne ATE
Hailsham ATE
Hampden Park ATE
ID: SDHMPDN. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Hellingly former ATE
The former Hellingly exchange stood on the A271 at Lower Horsebridge, Hailsham BN21 4DJ.
It came into service in the early 1930s as an RAX6. It ceased operation in around 1977 when lines became Hailsham 844*** numbers.. The site has since been redeveloped for housing.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 032 16.
Map: The National Library of Scotland.
Herstmonceux ATE
ID: SDHRSTM. Photo courtesy of John Cranston.
Langney former ATE
The former Langney exchange stood in Langney Rise, Eastbourne BN23 7PG.
It was one of the last working RAX5 (two-digit) automatic exchanges in the country when it closed on 28 June 1972.
It came into service in the early 1930s in an area previously served by Eastbourne and Pevensey exchanges. On closure most lines went to Pevensey exchange as Eastbourne 76**** numbers.
It was demolished around 2014 and two houses called Exchange Cottages stand in its place.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 032 187.
Pevensey ATE
Pevensey telephone exchange is located off Rattle Road, Westham, Pevensey BN24 5DF and serves Pevensey and Westham.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 01323-46, 01323-47, 01323-74 and 01323-76.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 0323.
ID: SDPVNSY. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Pevensey Bay former ATE
The former Pevensey Bay telephone exchange is located in Richmond Road (previously know as Richmond Terrace), Pevensey Bay, East Sussex BN24 6AX.
It came into service around 1933 as an RAX 6, the area having previously been served by the Pevensey manual exchange.  It was possibly replaced by another exchange in the mid-1950s which closed around 1972 when the lines were taken over by the new Pevensey exchange as Eastbourne 76**** numbers.
It does not appear to have had a national dialling code.
Photo taken in 2017 courtesy of Right Move.
A photo taken of the exchange in 1947 is available HERE, courtesy of the Francis Frith Collection.
Pevensey Marina ATE
Pevensey Marina Telephone Exchange is located in Atlantic Drive, Eastbourne BN23 5SW and serves Pevensey Marina and the surrounding area.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 01323-46, 01323-47, 01323-74 and 01323-76.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 0323.
ID: SDPVNSM. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Polegate ATE
Polegate telephone exchange is located in Old Drive, Polegate BN26 5ES and serves Polegate and the surrounding area.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01323-48.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 032 12.
ID: SDPLGT. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Ripe ATE
Ripe Telephone Exchange is located in Church Lane, Ripe, Lewes BN8 6AS and serves Ripe and the surrounding villages.
The telephone code for this exchange is 01323-81.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 032 183.
ID: SDRP. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Seaford ATE
Seaford telephone exchange is located in East Street, Seaford BN25 1AD and serves Seaford and the surrounding area.
The telephone codes for this exchange are 01323-49 and 01323-89.
The former dialling code for this exchange was 032 13.
ID: SDSFRD. Photo courtesy of Simon Cowper-Smith.
Stone Cross former ATE
The former Stone Cross exchange stands beside 16 Hailsham Road, Stone Cross, Pevensey BN24 5AS. The first automatic exchange here was an RAX5, opened in the early 1930s. It was replaced by the present building in the mid-1950s. It closed around 1972 when the lines were taken over by Pevensey exchange as Eastbourne 76**** numbers. It is now privately owned.
Westham former ATE
Westham former ATE
The former Westham exchange stood off the High Street in Westham, Pevensey (possibly BN24 5HN). The first automatic exchange here was an RAX6, which opened in the early 1930s. The building was replaced by a wooden B1 type in the mid-1950s. It closed around 1972 when the lines were taken over by Pevensey exchange as Eastbourne 76**** numbers.
The building has since been demolished and replaced by a new private dwelling.
Photo (2012( courtesy of Google Maps. Map: Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.