In the 19th century many town houses were built with a coal cellar under the pavement in front of the house. Coal hole covers are the cast iron plates that cover the entrances to these cellars. Although no longer in use, many still exist and there are some beautiful designs. Here are some examples I have found around Brighton.

Recently I have been taking photographs of street furniture around Brighton, particularly Victorian boot scapers and coal hole covers. When you start looking for them you find them all over the place.