History
The Star at Alfriston is reputed to be one of the country’s oldest inns. Built in the 13th century, it has served as a hostelry to pilgrims, smugglers and even royalty.
Known as ‘The Star of Bethlehem’ until at least 1520, the hotel was then run by the monks of Battle Abbey and offered shelter to friars and pilgrims on their way to the Shrine of St Richard at Chichester. Considered at that time to be a Holy House, a wooden ‘Sanctuary Post’ gave fugitives, and very probably smugglers, instant church protection. The Post can still be seen in the bar today, its powers of sanctuary, however, are long past.
At the front of the building stands a lion figurehead, thought to be from a Dutch warship, which sank in the English Channel. It is believed that the lion was washed ashore in Cuckmere Haven and then brought into Alfriston by a gang of well-known local smugglers. The figurehead was restored in 2003 by the local rector and re-positioned on the opposite corner of the hotel for its own protection!
