(A) 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. 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 purchased by the National Trust in 1896 - for just £10!
[1] From the car park, head to the High Street, go past the George Inn and at the Star Inn turn right along Star Lane. Follow this road – the route of the South Downs Way – and go straight across at the next crossroads, now climbing up past houses. Soon the road comes to an end and you continue in the same direction along a broad, flinty and chalky track which continues to climb, initially under tree cover. Before long you’ll come to an intersection of tracks out in the open. Keep ahead still, following the South Downs Way.
The views improve as you ascend, so don’t forget to look back from time to time. You should soon be able to see Cuckmere Haven and the beginning of the Seven Sisters to the south, while to the east is Windover Hill with Friston Forest south of it, and to the north the Weald. The South Downs Way reaches a high point at Bostal Hill – a popular spot with paragliders and hang-gliders – before a short descent to the Bopeep car park.
[2] A bridleway signpost on the left has the left fork signed for ‘High and Over 3½ miles’, but ignore this and keep ahead for the moment. It’s less than a mile from the car park to the highest point along this stretch of the South Downs - Firle Beacon.
(B) Firle Beacon (217m/712ft) – is a particularly fine vantage point.
[3] Retrace your steps to the signpost and then follow the bridleway south, then south-east, ignoring paths and tracks on either side. Along the stretch of track marked as ‘The Comp’ keep left just beyond the trig point to continue over Cradle Hill to the road. Turn right and walk up the grass verge, then cross the road to the High and Over car park.
[4] Just to the left of the ‘National Trust Frog Firle Farm’ sign (which gives the meaning of ‘Firle’ as ‘oak-covered land’ – the Downs were once covered with trees) go through the trees and along a paved path that leads to the main viewpoint.
There’s a toposcope here to help you make sense of the panorama. In the valley below lies the meandering Cuckmere, flowing gently down to the sea. On the hillside beneath you (not visible from up here) is carved a white horse, first cut in 1836, and recut in 1924.
Go back up the path and bear right before you reach the car park. Follow this path through the trees then over grassy downland, keeping to the right of the road down to the river.
[5] Turn left and walk along the river bank path back to Alfriston via River Lane, crossing to the east bank at Litlington Bridge if you wish.