Alfriston is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the busy south
coast and if given a chance to stop and listen, you would be able to hear
a pin drop even on it's main road.
The fine cruciform church of St. Andrew is wonderous and has been called the
Cathedral of the Downs. A fitting tribute for a building that has stood here
since 1360 and has seen much of the history of Sussex in it's important past.
Alfriston church stands majestically marking time for centuries
There is a legend that tells of the church being built on another site nearby,
yet each night, the stones for the building of the church were miraculously
moved to the church's present place, a piece of common land called the 'Tye'.
'Legend says that the foundations were first cut in the meadow known as
Savyne Croft. There day after day builders laid their stones, arriving each
morning to find them removed to the 'Tye', the field where the church now
stands. The meaning of the miracle at last entered their heads and the church
was erected on the new site.'
The beautiful chancel window
The church shows a good example of the change from decorated to perpendicular,
but it has more characteristics of the latter style, it's grandeur depending
more on its fine proportions than on its architectural detail.
Points to note are the concave half-piers and capitals of the tower arches,
the beautiful sedilia, an easter sepulchre, the decorated font, the very fine
five-light east window of perpendicular date, and the pieces of old glass
in the top lights in the window of the north transept in which the figure
of St. Alphege is original and that of St. Andrew a good modern copy.
A few years before 1894, no less than seventy virgin's garlands hung in this
church at one time, a custom that has long since disappeared from our society.
The font at Alfriston Church
It's lofty arches give it a cathedral like feel and there are three piscinas,
a reredos sculpture of Christ calling the fishermen, a lovely sedilia. The
old altar rails have been fashioned into new railings for the peace memorial
in the nave, and there is also an ancient bell that rings no more.
When visiting Alfriston you will find the car park at the northern end of
the village as you come from the A27 road. This is the only public parking
in the village so do not try elsewhere.
The village itself is steeped in history and has many fine old buildings
to view, not least the Star Inn, the George Inn, and Ye Olde Smugglers Inn,
all of which have many stories to tell.
For lovers of old
buildings do visit the Alfriston
Clergy House which is situated next to the church.
This is a fine example of a timber-framed 'Wealden' house
dated c.1350. Run by the National Trust it is
kept in fine condition and is well worth a visit to see
the hall and gardens.
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