Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Statue of Pocahontas at St. George's Church, Gravesend.

Gravesend

in the county of Kent

Pictures of Alfriston

a Picturesque Village in the county of East Sussex

About Alfriston

Delightful east Sussex village mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. It occupies a favoured position in the beautiful Cuckmere Gap and serves as a tourist village to which hoards of visitors flock to enjoy the many well preserved fine old buildings to be seen, one of the most important being the local church.

St.Andrew's Church is a 14th century cruciform church showing fragments of early glass, but the Jesse window in the south transept is from early in the 20th century. Inside the church are interesting historic relics, these include a piscina, triple sedilia, an Easter sepulchre. In these parts, this large church has become known as the Cathedral of the Downs.

The church rectory is a pre-reformation house constructed during the 14th century. It shows much timber-framing, and inside the living room is heavily beamed and has moulded king-posts. This lovely property is cared for by the National Trust who acquired it in 1896, it is known as Clergy House.

The noted Star Inn was reputedly built by the Abbot of Battle to be used as a hostel. It was later turned into an inn (c.1500) this remains today very much as it was then, with numerous faces and small carved figures peering over the passers-by. This is believed to be one of the countries oldest inns, it has a beautifully preserved interior with beams and open fires.

In the village the streets are crammed with old buildings tiled in Horsham tile, it is well worth a wander around to take a closer look at the remarkable character of these attractive properties, and others dating from as far back as the 15th century.

The village has had its share of strife, at the time of the Napoleonic wars it served as a dormitory village for troops who where settled there for fear of invasion should the French ever get past the Martello towers placed along the Sussex coast. During this period the village enjoyed a revival in fortunes, but when the troops left revenue dropped. It was then that the renowned Alfriston smugglers banded together and for a time the villagers lived on the proceeds of illicit contraband. The leader of the gang was caught in the 1830's, he was sent to Australia.

Alfriston, shouldered at each side by the south downs and amid the beauty of the Cuckmere Valley, makes an idyllic place to visit for a quiet weekend or as a base from which to explore all this lovely valley and coastal region has to offer.

For further information, please visit www.alfriston-village.co.uk

Related Articles

Picturesque Villages to visit near Londonby poe

Recommended towns & villages near Alfriston

From Beachy Head towards Birling Gap, East Sussex

Birling Gap (52 Pictures) in the county of East Sussex

(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction SE of Alfriston)

The Birling Gap is a coastal hamlet on the South Downs in East Sussex, situated on the

Lighthouse, West Quay, Newhaven

Newhaven (41 Pictures) in the county of East Sussex

(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W of Alfriston)

Best known for its cross channel ferries and for its fort built in the 1860's as part of Britain's coastal defences, but which is now a fascinating museum offering visitors the opportunity to experience a massive fortress at first hand...

Beachy Head Lighthouse, East Sussex - March 2005

Eastbourne (356 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of East Sussex

(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SE of Alfriston)

Eastbourne, is a genteel town, that owes it's distictiveness to the 7th Duke of Devonshire...

A picture of Telscombe

Telscombe (6 Pictures) in the county of East Sussex

(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction W of Alfriston)

The tranquillity of this attractive little village is owed to its seclusion. Telscombe rests in a fold of beautiful Sussex countryside, and the fact that it is difficult to reach from the coast, adds to its charms...

Harveys brewery, Lewes

Lewes (112 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of East Sussex

(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NW of Alfriston)

Lewes is the boyhood home of the famous diarist, John Evelyn (1620 - 1706) He lived at Southover Grange, an Elizabethan house, which is close to the castle...

All towns & villages in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Alfriston Clergy House. Alfriston, East Sussex

Alfriston Clergy House (3 Pictures)

(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)

Amongst the treasures of this town is the first house to be acquired by the National Trust, this is the magnificent Priest's, or.....

The Wilmington Long Man, East Sussex

The Long Man (8 Pictures)

(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction E)

Where he comes from nobody knows, nor does anyone know the identity of this 240 foot figure of a man carved into the side of a.....

This is the studio at Charleston Farmhouse in East Sussex.

Charleston Farmhouse (8 Pictures)

(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction NW)

..

The classic view of the Seven Sisters in East Sussex, with the cottage in the foreground

Seven Sisters Country Park (90 Pictures)

(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction S)

Designated a site of Special Scientific Interest, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Seven Sisters Country Park.....

The Martello Tower at Seaford, East Sussex. Now a very interesting museum.

Seaford Museum (2 Pictures)

(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction SW)

..

Michelham priory at near Upper Dicker in East - Sussex.

Michelham Priory & Gardens (7 Pictures)

(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction NE)

Michelham Priory is a hauntingly beautiful place set against a backdrop of fine Sussex countryside, splendidly surrounded by a.....

A big gun at the Fort looking over the sea at Newhaven, East Sussex.

Newhaven Fort (3 Pictures)

(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction W)

..


All attractions in Alfriston
All attractions in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of attractions in England