Alfriston, village and civil parish in the Sussex district of Wealden, England
Alfriston is a village in the Wealden district of East Sussex built along the Cuckmere River and surrounded by the South Downs. It features narrow streets lined with medieval buildings, including the Clergy House from the 14th century, the first property purchased by the National Trust, and St Andrew's Church, a large 14th-century structure known as the Cathedral of the South Downs.
Alfriston traces its origins back to the Saxon period and grew into a market town during the Middle Ages, serving as a rest stop for pilgrims traveling to religious sites. St Andrew's Church was built around 1360 and the Clergy House around 1380, while the village was also linked to smuggling history with stories of gang leader Stanton Collins.
Alfriston served as a stopping point for pilgrims traveling to religious sites during the Middle Ages, and this tradition of hospitality remains visible in the village's inns and cafes today. The community continues to gather around its historic market cross and church, maintaining customs through seasonal events and festivals that bring locals and visitors together.
The village is easily accessed from the A27 road and has parking areas near the village center, including both paid and free options. The streets are narrow and not heavily trafficked, making walking through the village pleasant, and visitors can stop at inns, cafes, and historic sites at a relaxed pace.
The village is deeply connected to British literature, with Eleanor Farjeon writing the hymn Morning Has Broken here and Rudyard Kipling basing his poem A Smuggler's Song on local smuggling stories centered around the market cross. These literary connections make Alfriston a place where storytellers and readers find inspiration.
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