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Places to stay in Alfriston
Situated in the Cuckmere Valley at the eastern end of the South Downs is the picturesque old village of Alfriston. Despite its popularity, the village has lost none of its charm, and remains thankfully unspoilt. As well as several pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels, there are a few shops, including an excellent bookshop. On the village green, next door to the church (known as the ‘cathedral of the Downs’), is the Old Clergy House – a medieval thatched cottage and the first building bought by the National Trust in 1896 – for just £10! To the north of the village is Drusillas Park, the best small zoo in the UK, ideal for those with children. Alfriston makes an excellent base for exploring the delightful Sussex countryside to be found all round it, with a variety of fine walks to be enjoyed. This route combines downland and valley walking, with some lovely views along the way. 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.
