East Sussex historic towns and villages

Alfriston is one of the most popular villages in East Sussex, and for good reason, boasting a wealth of historic buildings including a medieval church, a thatched clergy house, an ancient stone market cross, and several timber-framed inns. Alfriston is one of the oldest villages in the county; it was founded in the Saxon period and became a market town in the Middle Ages.
Alfriston, East Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: A plethora of historic buildings in a lovely village setting. 14th century Clergy House demands a visit.

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One might naturally assume that the Battle of Hastings, that pivotal conflict which changed the course of English History, took place at Hastings. Well, it didn't; it took place at the attractive and entirely aptly named town of Battle.
Battle, East Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: Battle Abbey, situated on the site where William the Conqueror and his Normans overcame the Saxons of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings.

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The village of Brightling is set in an elevated position in the High Weald, offering spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. The village is famous for its collection of fascinating follies, built by Brightling's eccentric Victorian squire, John 'Mad Jack' Fuller (1757–1834).
Brightling, East Sussex, England

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The major town and beacon for visitors in East Sussex, Brighton spreads out along the coast so that it is hard to tell where it stops and the surrounding urban areas begin. The city itself is an odd mix of historic buildings and tacky tourist traps, amusement piers and nightlife. The cream of the attractions is Brighton Pavilion, the oddly exhilarating oriental palace built by John Nash for his patron the Prince Regent.
Brighton, East Sussex, England

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An ancient village dating to at least the year 765 AD. Ditchling has been owned at times by Alfred the Great and Edward the Confessor. The parish church of St Margaret of Antioch dates to the Saxon period, with much Norman rebuilding.

Ditchling, East Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: Anne of Cleeves House, a historic Tudor building with connections to Henry VIII and his fourth wife.

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The name 'glind' comes from the old Saxon word for an enclosure. The village is an attractive little place in the lea of Mount Caburn. Glynde is the home of Glynde Place, a magnificent Elizabethan manor that has been the home of the Trevor family for over 300 years.
Glynde, East Sussex, England

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The seaside resort town of Hove is somewhat overwhelmed by its neighbour, Brighton, but Hove has a character and a history all its own. Hove is known for its wide, tree-lined avenues and Regency architecture, much of which is arranged around sedate squares.
Hove, East Sussex, England

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Lewes is the county town of East Sussex, situated at an ancient crossing of the River Ouse. The old core of Lewes still follows the street plan established by the Saxons under Alfred the Great. The famous king almost certainly visited Lewes, and there was a royal mint at Lewes for a time.

Lewes, East Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: Lewes Castle, the remains of one of the first Norman castles built after the Conquest in 1066

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The large village of Northiam seems to stretch for miles along the A268. The old core of the village, though, is more self-contained and boasts a large number of attractive period houses around the elongated village green.
Northiam, East Sussex, England

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Heritage Highlight: Elizabeth I's oak tree still stands on the village green

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Rye is a corruption of an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning an island. Rye's historic core, sited on a hill overlooking a landscape of green pastures, was once almost enveloped by the sea. Its position on a narrow neck of land with the wide estuaries of the Tillingham and Rother rivers on each side was significant. It could watch over the surrounding Romney Marsh, and, as a port, it guarded the land against foreign invasion.
Rye, East Sussex, England

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