Alfriston Clergy House

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Alfriston Clergy House

Sussex

National Trust

The Clergy House, Alfriston - geograph.org.uk - 1260729.jpg
The Clergy House in spring
Grid reference: TQ521029
Information

Alfriston Clergy House in Alfriston, near Polegate, Sussex, was the first house to be acquired by the National Trust. It was purchased in 1896 for £10.[1] The house lies adjacent to the Church of St Andrew, Alfriston|Church of St. Andrew]].

History

Detail of oak leaf

The house is a 14th-century Wealden hall house. Although the name reflects the fact that the parish priest and his housekeeper used it, the house was originally built as a farmer's house. It is a very modest property — not at all like the grand rectories that many Church of England clergy occupied by the 19th century. It is a low-ceilinged, two-storey, timber-framed building with a thatched roof.

Part of the house was rebuilt in the 17th century. Outside there is a small but well-planted cottage garden, which was designed by Graham Stuart Thomas.[2]

The house is opened to the public.

Outside links

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("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Alfriston Clergy House)

References

  1. Walker, Marianna (1 June 2008). "50 National Trust hidden gems". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3553504/50-National-Trust-hidden-gems.html. Retrieved 2010-07-07. 
  2. "Graham Thomas". The Daily Telegraph. 19 April 2003. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1427888/Graham-Thomas.html. Retrieved 2010-07-07.