November 2025

The autumn equinox has come and gone and we are fully into the swing of mid autumn with one eye on the upcoming festive season.

We are lucky in that we have had generally excellent feedback from our guests but we are always happy to listen to suggestions regarding the cottage and how we can make it even better. One such subject that cropped up more than once was the cafe curtains in the lounge windows and if there was a set of curtains or blinds in addition to those for that little bit of extra privacy.

As we had originally intended to just have the cafe curtains, we had a rethink and consulted Diana Kelly Interiors, whose lovely shop is a stone’s thrown from us and right in the centre of Alfriston village. The result is as you see in the image below and a special mention to Ann Clark Curtains who did a fantastic job in the making and fitting of these roman blinds.

We hope our guests like them as much as we do.

Other news in the last month was that we launched a new promotion with badgers tea house to showcase their fabulous products in the form of a hamper. So, all new direct bookings taken on this website from now until the end of the year - for any booking dates - will be eligible to receive one of these fantastic hampers as long as the code badgers25 is registered at checkout. We look forward to seeing you soon.

As we write this short journal, November is moving on seemingly quicker than ever and the festive season will soon be upon us.

Our Christmas and New Year dates have already been taken up but we do really see Alfriston and the South Downs as an all year round destination and the different seasons evoke an array of different moods, ambience, light and feel upon the landscape. So to visit here in November or December - there are still dates available in the next couple of months - and the colder months in general, is of course to experience something altogether different than in the warmer months.

For us personally, our favourite seasons are autumn and winter, which gives one the chance to taken in more blustery and colder weather that sometimes means mist, snow, ice or frost upon the landscape, which can result in the South Downs looking its most ethereal and beautiful. It is a great excuse to pull on some warm woollen socks, light the wood burning stove after a long walk and to bask in and feel the heat from it - or perhaps from the Aga cast iron oven that is fired up and warming some supper.

The many great pubs in the area are, we think, at their best at this time of year…it is so nice sometimes to be able to stroll from Flint Cottage into Alfriston village and have the pick of great places to enjoy a cosy drink, or meal, all within a two minute walk away. For the more adventurous you can even walk one or two miles, if you have a flashlight, across the fields to the Sussex Ox or even The Cricketers Inn.

October 2025

The September wheat harvest has been and gone and what a magical time of year it is on the South Downs, as the combine harvesters do their thing in the evening sun here at Firle Beacon. The perfect end to this, is to walk down to Firle village and stop by the Ram Inn and sample the local brew from Burning Sky Brewery, which is literally just down the road. Maybe something for your 2026 diary…

Autumn has truly arrived in the South Downs as we move into October, and as you might have guessed, it’s our favourite time of the year and perhaps the best time to visit the South Downs National Park.

It is also when Glyndebourne comes to life again, with six weeks of opera, concerts and recitals, so if you’re thinking of going, Alfriston is just eight miles away should you decide to make weekend of it - or more ? The autumn season runs from 11th October to 14th December 2025 and tickets are available here.

Glyndebourne, Glynde, East Sussex, England

Church of St Andrew, Alfriston, East Sussex, England

Elsewhere the landscape is changing with the seasons and the leaves are starting to turn into the most beautiful colours in Friston Forest. It is well worth visiting in the late afternoon to really experience the full majesty of the autumn sunshine lighting up the forest. There are numerous walking trails, as well as cycling routes, so grab your hiking boots, and you’re all set to go ! If you’re looking for bikes to hire then the Cuckmere Cycle Company is the place to go.

There are exciting times happening at Rathfinny as we speak, the grape harvest has just started and the pickers are busily doing their thing amongst the vines, so there is no time to waste if you want to visit the vineyard at this fabulous time of year. By the way, if you have a yearning to come down and be a picker, perhaps even make a holiday of it, then have a look at Rathfinny’s website and you may be able to apply for 2026.

Friston Forest, West Dean, East Sussex, England

Rathfinny Vineyard, near Alfriston, East Sussex, England