January 2026

The new year has hit the ground running with snowfall in the very first week of January, and the landscape is all the prettier for it…the South Downs are beautiful in all weathers, but snow and frost takes it to a different level, so it is always such a joy to see.

The cottage has seen guests stay over the Christmas and New Year for the first time, so we’ll be interested to hear about their experiences, as this really is a beautiful place to be at this time of year. The frosty landscape makes for great walking, and the cottage is ideally situated for when you want to avoid the car on icy roads and walk straight from the door to head out on a hike, perhaps take in a pub, and be back in the warm in a couple of hours or so. A great option for this is the walk to the Sussex Ox, which is just over a mile through farmland and is flat all the way…perfect if you want to take your dog for a leisurely stretch and maybe have a pub lunch. Multitasking at its finest !

If staying in with a good book is more your thing in the cold weather, then maybe it’s time to fire up the Aga wood-burning stove and snuggle down at the cottage. If you’re looking for some new reading, or have exhausted your current book supply, then head over to Much Ado Books in the village, which is quite literally a thirty second walk from the garden gate of the cottage. Here you will find one of the greatest bookshops you will ever step into, and even if you’re not buying, it is well worth a visit to soak up the enchanted ambience of this little gem. Enjoy.

Best wishes once again for 2026.

Jonathan & Fiona

Long Bridge, Alfriston, East Sussex, England