South Downs #1 Cradle Hill, Rathfinny vineyard, Litlington, White Horse and Star Inn…
It all begins with an idea.
Looking north from Cradle hill. Credit Mr & Mrs W.H. 2023
12 months ago storm Eunice did her very best to blow us into the sea as we walked from the Tiger Inn, East Dean (Pub top trumps 72), to the Belle Tout light light house on our last jaunt to this, most picturesque part of the country. It’s a brilliant walk, but it’ll shred your ears in the wind and rain. 5 miles away and this time out only bares the stresses of understanding the map and starting instructions for our hike. We found this one on the National Trust website - Hill & vale walk at Frog Firle Farm and combined with some cracked blue skies and new born lambs the hike was an early spring treat. Not a long one - 4 miles, but due to starting the loop atop a hill ((High and Over carpark, Alfriston)* you’re immediately bombarded with the type of views which stop all talk of moving abroad…
Cuckmere valley; meanders down to Seaford Gap. Credit: Mr & Mrs WH 2023
The walk drops down to the back of the incredible Rathfinny wine estate vineyard, which is on Bordeaux scale in it’s magnificence. We’re guessing these south facing chalk hills are perfect for Great British Fizz. Back over the hill and into the Cuckmere valley with it Geography school book meandering river and superb views out to sea through the valley mouth, on your way to the chocolate box village of Litlington. The tiny village looks up at a giant chalk white horse and has one of the cutest (cream) tea rooms on the planet. Mrs WH figures we’ve earned something heartier though, so with very little encouragement we nip back to nearby Alfriston to check out the revitalised Star Inn. This C.15 Inn has celebrity credentials; part of the [Alex] Polizzi Collection, The Star oozes elegance, yet maintains the warmth and honesty of an age-old boozer. The furnishings are sympathetic as one would expect, not brash or clever, they are (in our consideration) just so…
Great Inglenook fires roar and coax you to sit and relax. Sound is ambient, crackling logs, chinking glass and chatter - The best pub soundtrack!
Good news, Harvey’s is on tap (as it should be in this neck of the woods) and we both plumped for the Black Stout. A perfect ending to an awesome walk…Well, not quite, as if it it couldn’t get any better, Mrs WH suggested indulging in the Sussex rarebit…A seat next to the fire , after a a bracing walk, with stout and cheese on toast…go on then. Bliss
