IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
High Street, POLEGATE, BN26 5SZ

Looking south from Market Square with The Manor House, a 17th century building, on the left. The white faced houses beyond date from the 18th.

Saddler's House, High Street, was built in the 17th century, The ground floor has been built out at each end. Constructed of brick with the first floor tile-hung. All under a hipped tile roof. Listed, grade II, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1293422 Alfriston is a village in East Sussex, some 6½ miles northwest of Eastbourne and 3½ miles northeast of Seaford. The village lies on the west bank of the Cuckmere River. There is evidence of occupation in the Neolithic period, with several long barrows on the surrounding downs. The village is home to The Star Inn, built in 1345 to accommodate monks and pilgrims en route from Battle Abbey to Chichester Cathedral. Also in the village is the Old Clergy House, the first building acquired by the National Trust in 1898.

This former ship's figurehead once belonged to an 18th century Dutch warship which sank in the channel and eventually washed up on the shores of Cuckmere Haven. It was reputed to have been given to the inn by a gang of smugglers and the lion has been a prominent local landmark in the village ever since. Up to 2003 it was located on the corner of Star Lane but was moved to its current spot after restoration. The Star Inn itself was built around 1260 by the monks of Battle Abbey and was known as the Star of Bethlehem until the 16th century where it was used as a hostel for pilgrims on their way to Chichester. The pub still contains a sanctuary post which those evading secular laws could touch and claim church protection.

Pevsner in the Buildings of England: Sussex describes the Ship Inn as "one of the best timber-framed houses of East Sussex". It was rebuilt in the early 16th century, possibly on the site of an earlier rest house for pilgrims on their way to the Shrine of St Richard in Chichester. The Red Lion figurehead comes from a warship, probably sunk at the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690. For more about the Battle of Beachy Head see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Beachy_Head_(1690) For a close-up of the figurehead see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4608789

Pevsner in the Buildings of England: Sussex describes the Ship Inn as "one of the best timber-framed houses of East Sussex". It was rebuilt in the early 16th century, possibly on the site of an earlier rest house for pilgrims on their way to the Shrine of St Richard in Chichester. The Red Lion figurehead comes from a warship, probably sunk at the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690. For more about the Battle of Beachy Head see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Beachy_Head_(1690) For a photograph of the inn see http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4608786

A close look at the ‘Red Lion’ outside The Star Inn at Alfriston. The lion was once a ship’s figurehead. The Star Inn is a Grade II* (star) listed building. See https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1353267 This view of the red lion confirms that it was indeed relocated from its previous position as suggested in the comments made with the photo taken in 1979. See Image

The streets here are very narrow, which leads to traffic problems.