Walks in Sussex: Exploring Alfriston Village

Today I am exploring the beautiful village, Alfriston in East Sussex.
Alfriston is a village and civil parish in the Sussex district of Wealden, England. The village lies in the valley of the River Cuckmere, about four miles (6 km) north-east of Seaford and south of the main A27 trunk road and part of the large area of Polegate.
I am Richard Vobes, the Bald Explorer, exploring Britain. Check out my website at: www.Vobes.com
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My children's books are here: richardvobes.com/

[@anneallen7771]

My home county 🤗. Good old Sussex by the sea.xx

[@kalichycoski5414]

Lovely! Am so hoping to visit Alfriston in the near future. My Grandfather, Frank Marchant, was born there and my daughters and I wish to walk the stones of family history.

[@rotaone8513]

Thanks for the memories Richard, i attended Alfriston primary school from 1964 to 1967 before emigrating to Australia, such a wonderful part of my childhood. Apart from the traffic and tourists, the village has not changed much from the memories of a 9 year old.

[@meditationstorytime]

I went to that same Primary school from 1985 to 1991. Most incredibly magical time of my life.

[@GodAtum]

@@meditationstorytime wow i was just hiking through here and wondered what kind of people live in a place like this? are they all retirees? what do people do for work? do they commute up to London? how much is a house there worth?

[@coreywright9120]

@RichardVobes Thank you for featuring the Smugglers Inn! Stanton Collins is my 4th great uncle. His brother Luke is my 4th great grandfather. Luke and Stanton (after Stanton was arrested and served time in a penal colony in Tasmania) emigrated to New York and started the USA collins family.

[@davelawson3810]

I live in Vancouver British Columbia Canada and have visited Alfriston many times. It is the home of my Haryett ancestors who emigrted to Canada in the late 1850s. I met a distant cousin the George around 1995 and have been back to stay in Danny Cottage, hike the South Downs Way and visit the homes of my ancestors. Beautiful country side that i will never get tired of.

[@RichardVobes]

It is lovely down there.

[@tonethetallbaldy5039]

I've walked from Eastbourne toward the seven sisters and north toward Alfriston before returning via Jevington and the long man a fee times. Alfriston brings back happy memories and truly beautiful with no Starbucks or McDs in sight!

[@brianingarfill1773]

Greetings, I found your video while living in California, I have saved it and others and have started to use them since moving to Eastbourne, many thanks.

[@angieedwards3650]

Beautiful village. One of my favourite places. Love Badgers tea room and the Smugglers Inn.

[@101mosioatunya]

We were in Alfriston yesterday, Wednesday, 3rd May, 2023. What a beautiful place! We had lunch at The Star Inn.

[@jennycarey1754]

Alfriston always has been my favourite village. I visited it only a few days ago thankyou for showing us round

[@RichardVobes]

My pleasure 😊

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another very interesting video Richard. I'd love to visit Alfriston one day and tick off the NT property. Happy Easter.

[@britainonabudget]

What a lovely place. Thanks for showing us around!

[@RichardVobes]

My pleasure - thanks for watching.

[@triumphriderinblack7406]

I've ridden through Alfriston many times on my motorbike (lovely country roads), but have never stopped to look around before. Another place to stop and visit properly.

[@sparksycat]

I went on a geography trip to Alfriston today and walked across that very bridge. It’s a lovely town. And this is a brilliant video

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks you for saying so - it is a lovely place. Thanks for watching!

[@holdenmilo24]

Sorry to be off topic but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow forgot the account password. I love any assistance you can offer me

[@irahank5509]

@Holden Milo instablaster :)

[@holdenmilo24]

@Ira Hank Thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@holdenmilo24]

@Ira Hank It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account !

[@zoeschofield]

I enjoyed watching this. Alfiston is a beautiful place. Keep the videos coming! 👍

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Zoe - I will sure try!

[@RockyValentino2013]

Thank you for this video. My late mum used to work at the Star Inn in the 1980's. Her letters to me were always franked Polgate.

[@robertpagetfilms]

beautifully crafted film making. Information combined with insight

[@RichardVobes]

Film making on the hoof I call it, avoiding all the lorries! Thanks so much for your comment and watching.

[@ramibu239]

Another great vid on another great town/village. Sussex just seems to be crawling w/ so many wonderful old little villages! It's interesting how they would dismantle the ships back then to then use as building their homes or whatever (like the Jamestown, Plymouth Colony/Massachusetts Bay Colony here in America). And I have heard a lot of that around coastal towns in Europe as well. I think it just adds to the charm, mystery & history of a home.

[@RichardVobes]

It is actually not so that they used beams from ships. It's an urban myth. They are more likely to have reused bits of ships on other ships. People often quite this old fallacy. The marks people refer to as 'ship marks' are usually the builders marks showing out the timber-framed house was to be put together.

[@trevorwright6165]

we have been there with our paranormal group only four of us in the group but we enjoy our visits to east sussex .and also the great films from yourself thank you from trev and chris

[@RichardVobes]

trevor wright My pleasure if course.

[@vintagecreativemedia]

I'm ready for you to start taking us inside some of these wonderful looking pubs and inns.

[@claire76leach]

Great video. I’ve been there so many times now.. shame about the traffic - quintessentially English village with cream teas .. I remember going with my parents when I was little such happy memories x

[@RichardVobes]

It is lovely but,as you say, shame about the traffic.

[@franc9111]

Seeing that lorry going throught the village reminded me that on one occasion one of them drove into the village cross and knocked it down. I don't know what happened to the original, but the one that is there now is a replica. We used to stay at the youth hostel and nip out in the evening to the Plough and Harrow across the valley in Litlington. It took us a day to walk from the Eastbourne YH (The Old Clubhouse) via the Sussex Ox at Milton Street and another day to go down to Cuckmere Haven, along the Seven Sisters and up to The Tiger at East Dean and then on to Beachy Head and the Eastbourne YH. We used to be able to come in from Paris Saint Lazare on the 11 am boat train to Dieppe Maritime. Sadly that station as well as Newhaven Marine have since been demolished and coming over for a long weekend is no longer as easy as it once was.

[@Barbara-yj5tl]

Lovely! I’ve been watching Alex Pollizzi on tv tonight, I’m sure you know she’s bought and refurbished the Star inn.

[@stevelong6358]

Love it.. great video richard..

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you Steve - so busy with traffic there sadly.

[@California265]

Well done. Very enjoyable. Watching from abroad. Homesick!

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks very much.

[@mariamanakova-bobekova7426]

another beautiful english village, I´ve been there so many times ... I highly recommend to visit Old clergy house as well, it´s worth it.

[@andrewnorris1]

Love Alfriston. On the back cover of the book I am reading at the moment, 'Romantic Moderns' by Alexandra Harris, is Vanessa Bell's poster design for the 'See Britain First On Shell' (1931) campaign. If you could stretch your 'quest' project to include 20th Century writers and artists this would be essential reading for you. A superb book.

[@RichardVobes]

Wonderful!

[@merledoughty5787]

Another gem Alfriston is, settled as you may know by much older peoples.There was a dig done in the back of the Smugglers Inn some years ago.

[@steamsearcher]

My Late Mothers oldest friend went to live in this Village when she got married. The Wilson Family own quite a lot of it and their building company helped save much of of course. Many run down buildings that most back then were not interested in. Been back many times over 55 or so years. Our last about 3 years to visit the old friend. She and Mum working together in Manchester just after the war.

[@marcintime]

Another superb video, Richard, particularly informative and insightful this one. Lucky enough to have been there myself once, but now realise just how much I missed!

[@RichardVobes]

marcintime It is a lovely place if yoy dodge the traffic! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it!

[@frankparsons1629]

Was the village pronounced "Awfriston" in older times Richard, in fact I've fallen into that way myself when referring to the village. Selmeston is recorded in 1880 as being pronounced by the locals "Simpson" - this last reference taken from the little book "A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect" reprinted in 1957 by Helena Hall and from an original print (which entitled A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect and Collections of Provincialisms in use in the County of Sussex) written and published in 1875 by the Rev'd W.D.Parish M.A. (born 1833) and Vicar of Selmeston. It was he who noticed how his village was pronounced by local folk. Indeed he had written, with W.F.Shaw, vicar of Eastry, another book entitled "A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect". May I note here Parish's reference that the village of Chalvington was "Charnton", and Alciston was "Ahson". While at school in Shoreham we all referred to Brighton (in times passed "Brighthelmstone") as Bright'ern. Do you remember that delightful TV program on 'Local Villages' not a few years back by the lady we all know as Margo, of The Good Life - of course, it was Penelope Keith! She was in Bosham (pronounced Boz'em) in one of the half hour programs and sitting in the Inn chatting to a local fellow. He asked her, "If I told you that my greens 'er be covered in mallyslags" what would I be referring to?" Penelope looked baffled and laughed, "I have no idea". The chap replied, "I'd be telling you that they'd be covered in caterpillars!" We all know Snails are Shellsnegs, Hedgehogs are Snufflehogs, and Bees are Dumbledores. Sheep is pronounced where the double E is clipped rather as in a New Zealand accent and becomes "ship". Hope you've enjoyed this leetle excursion into deepest ZUZZEX. Oh, the handle "Silly Sussex" is a corruption of Saelig Sussex, pronounced Saelich (where the 'g' is soft) and Anglo-Saxon meaning is "Happy". Sussex itself is a corruption/shortening of South Saxon - "Suth Seaxe". A father and son who are actors and appear at The Globe playing Shakespeare, were recorded on KZbin speaking about Elizabethan pronunciation and that was most interesting to hear. Keep up the good work with your fascinating vlogs Richard.

[@vickywitton1008]

That was really interesting, I love anything about old English language pronunciations

[@franc9111]

That father and son are Professor David Crystal and his son Ben. Ben has done a lot of research on the Warwickshire dialect that Shakespeare not only spoke but wrote in as well. Michael Wood, in his TV programmes and books has pointed out Shakespeare's use of specific dialect words in his plays, though you wonder whether an audience at the Globe would readily understand them. But it's definitely not Sussex. I always understood that 'Silly Sussex' meant saintly or holy Sussex into which Old Nick wanted to get the sea to flow and drown them all by digging Devil's Dyke. Not so long ago, they realised that by carefully looking at Gough's Maps (of the Medieval period) they could see that there was a Sussex Pilgrim's Way to Canterbury, something that couldn't have been to Old Nick's liking. Ardingly rhymes with - eye and the Coppers of Rottindean used to sing a song about a chimneye sweep and how quickleye did he do his work. Bob Copper was at one time a PC.

[@frankparsons1629]

@@franc9111 Well, upon investigating a bit deeper and using both my copies of Sweets "The Students Dictionary of Anglo Saxon" (First impression 1896) I find that "Saelic" translates as "Of the sea." And that is a very believable handle for Sussex. Examining the first part of the word, 'SAE' it means literally "sea". And so saebat is "boat" or "ship"; saeburgh and saeceaster both mean "sea-town."

[@mamtadave3128]

Fantastic !!! it is added to my list, to visit "English countryside". Thanks !

[@RichardVobes]

I feel an English countryside tour coming on - so much to see indeed! Thanks for watching!

[@mattmiller6857]

Just found your videos, your really good, love them

[@RichardVobes]

Glad you like them!

[@cogidubnus1953]

I am so pleased to hear you refer to ALfriston...as a local Sussex-born lad, (on my paternal side In East Sussex, the Whites back to Ticehurst (Hammerden Farm), Uckfield and Brighton since at least 1776, and on diverse branches, various other locations in West Sussex, notably Boxgrove and Pagham, since the 1560s), I was brought up to pronounce it so too...and into the nineteen-sixties or seventies at least it remained so... Sadly, so many rich and pretentious second-home newcomers have since tarted their way into the village, the name is becoming known increasingly as ALLFriston...a pseudo-posh pronunciation...some of us, at least, still recall the local truth... Good for you mate! Dave PS...Mr Kipling wrote:- If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet, Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street, Them that ask no questions isn't told a lie. Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by. Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark - Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk. Laces for a lady; letters for a spy, Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by! Running round the woodlump if you chance to find Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine, Don't you shout to come and look, nor use 'em for your play. Put the brishwood back again - and they'll be gone next day ! If you see the stable-door setting open wide; If you see a tired horse lying down inside; If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore; If the lining's wet and warm - don't you ask no more ! If you meet King George's men, dressed in blue and red, You be careful what you say, and mindful what is said. If they call you " pretty maid," and chuck you 'neath the chin, Don't you tell where no one is, nor yet where no one's been ! Knocks and footsteps round the house - whistles after dark - You've no call for running out till the house-dogs bark. Trusty's here, and Pincher's here, and see how dumb they lie They don't fret to follow when the Gentlemen go by ! 'If You do as you've been told, 'likely there's a chance, You'll be give a dainty doll, all the way from France, With a cap of Valenciennes, and a velvet hood - A present from the Gentlemen, along 'o being good ! Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark - Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk. Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie - Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by ! Thanks Mr Kipling and yes Alfriston was THAT sort of village... All the best Dave

[@RichardVobes]

Brilliant! I have only known it as ALfriston - and I agree with you whole heartedly about how the village and villages in general have become the home for rich people and the locals have been forced away. That is such a shame.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

At 9.16, you passed the back entrance to Badgers - cream teas par excellence.

[@RichardVobes]

Next time I will pop in for a cuppa.

[@marinaau8551]

Visited Alfriston last year with family in Mac. Had tea there near the market cross. Before that had lunch in Lewes. Later dinner in Eastbourne.

[@tsimmons121]

thanks again...a Saxon Church on a mound in, what looked like, a round enclosure could mean it is the site of a very much older 'sacred' place. A cup-a-tea, a caramel wafer and a Bald Explorer video...break of the day...cheers

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, I imagine it is a very sacred place. I wonder how close the Cuckmere river came to the Ty and the mound, back in the day. Thanks so much for watching and taking a break with the Bald Explorer. :)

[@RuytonXI]

I've been there! Another great video Richard. I do like the walking tour format and the gimbal and GoPro are working well.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Gary. It seems to open up a whole new approach for me, the gimbal and Gopro. Thanks for email - I will reply later today - and for watching my efforts. :)

[@stevewheeler3012]

Like the owl impression :-). As it's my birthday this is a nice trip back to my long lost youth.Keep up the excellent work Regards Steve

[@RichardVobes]

Happy birthday! (It's my dad's birthday too today!) Thanks for your support and watching the videos.

[@viewer1youtuber529]

Thanks for the memories! I used to travel down from London on a Friday evening to the Smugglers Inn for an evening out! I can’t do that anymore as I live in Ireland! Will you be doing a walk around in Polperro, Cornwall?

[@charlesstell506]

Possibly the narrow high street has helped to preserve the village by limiting traffic. Very nice.

[@RichardVobes]

Charles Stell Yes I think you are right. They cannot widen it now.

[@marcoscu]

Great video as always. My uncle, I suspect no longer with us, owned a large and very impressive house there.

[@RichardVobes]

Mark Webb Did he indeed. Worth a fortune now I imagine!

[@imranzazai7404]

Every place in the United Kingdom is amazing.

[@royblackman8778]

There is a market cross in hastings old town.

[@Elfwald]

Good stuff 👍

[@RichardVobes]

Thank you

[@hsbcgeoff]

Another great film, thank you Richard. I've just looked up the 1876 map and it states that the flint building was a Dovecoat. Just another possibility I guess.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Jeff - thanks so much for watching.

[@jenniferevans6334]

Love your videos, have you strolled thru Rye?

[@RichardVobes]

I have in a different video on smuggling - but I must return.

[@kurtsteiner8384]

I know alfriston very nice village mostly unspoilt. In the church is a ships bell from hms alfriston the first ship i went to sea with in the rn. She was a mine hunter of the coniston class. She was dated 1954. You have also the oldest national trust house it was the priory. I only go in autumn and winter months, rest of the time too many tourists tbere.

[@JohnDoe-px4ko]

Why would anyone give this the thumbs down?!

[@RichardVobes]

You tell me! Thanks so much for watching.

[@JohnDoe-px4ko]

Richard Vobes As my Yorkshire grandmother used to say “There’s nowt as queer as folk, except for thee and me - and I’m not too sure of thee”! Lol

[@MartinBuck-n7c]

Good quick tour of the village but I've been told by a local it's pronounced All-friston rather than Al-friston as you might expect...

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

If you had gone in the opposite direction across the bridge and up the Downs, you would have come to the smallest church in Sussex (at Lullington). But I bet you knew that.

[@RichardVobes]

Yes, and I have a video on that too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zmi9maNqh6aIp9U

[@roryadams3224]

hero!

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks very much.

[@sarahstrong7174]

Would love to visit there. Has it got good public transport links? Thankyou for showing us around.

[@RichardVobes]

There is probably a bus once a day :)

[@musings6307]

There are buses from polegate but they finish early

[@musings6307]

There is a volunteer bus service which runs several times a day. We were on it yesterday. it's nicer by public transport people with cars are ruining the place. The road is too fast 30mph. Should be/ 20

[@pamthetraveler7224]

I'm from the US and have never seen those, what are the yellow "cages" in each parking spot (towards the end of the video). They flip down and look like a security measure?? Intriguing.

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much for watching. I think they are private parking bays with a flip up gate.

[@johnhorne1685]

The thing about the old Kingdom of Sussex is it's place names and the number of villages that are not pronounced as they read. about thirty-five years ago when passing through I stopped to buy some sandwiches. During a bit of a conversation, I said Alfriston. Then I was pulled up, then she said, not Alfriston it's pronounced Orrifriston.

[@RichardVobes]

You have to love the old pronounced names, haven't you? Thanks for watching.

[@PortsladeBySea]

St Andrew’s ‘Cathedral of the South Down’ has got to be one of the most beautiful, ancient, churches in Sussex. The sheer size of the building gives us an idea about how many people were employed in the area at a the height of the agricultural age. With the urbanisation of the UK population few people now live in these villages, other than the wealthy. It’s sad that the authorities allow massive 44 ton lorries through the village. Good advice to avoid visiting during the peak Summer season 😉

[@RichardVobes]

It is an amazing church.

[@musings6307]

I agree. It's reflects has on the council and residents. It's 30mph too. There is no zebra crossing. It's a backward place for road safety

[@davidclarke9215]

9.20 Owlers

[@happyhermit2022]

Excellent thank you..ban all vehicles apart from delivery vehicles and residents from Village centres...🙄

[@pattismith344]

'Owlers' because the smugglers worked at night.... Night Owls.....🙂

[@RichardVobes]

Patti Smith They were known as that in fact.