Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-21
PRETTY sEAfoao
Between tho Chalk Cliffs Of Old EnaIard
and Its Charming Surroundings.
(All Rights Reserved.)

Seaford Is one Of the most charming
places on the south coast of England.
It is prettily situated In hollow with
high chalk cliffs at each side. It is
very small and quiet, but is within
driving distance of Eastbourne and
Brighton. both very gay, fashionable
watering places. At one time Seaford
was one of the Cinq Ports and very
important place, but now ships 40
longer call here but go to New Haven,
a port about three miles distant. On
the top of the cliff above the town are
the remains of an old Roman encamp-
ment, and walking little further one
GENES to the mouth of the river Cuck
mere, and beyond that extend line of
cliffs known as the Seven Sisters, and
as far as one can see is Beachy Head
just this side of Eastbourne. The cliffs
all along the coast here average about
500 feet high, but some of them are as
much as 800 feet high. They are pure
chalk, and are always crumbling away,
and 1t is dangerous to walk near the
edge at the top, or near them on the
beach below.
A few years ago a man discovered in
his yard what is now supposed to be
Roman crypt. 1t is built of stone with
vaulted roof, and the arches are most
beautiful. The man, vandal that he is.
uses ii as a chicken house, but visitors
are allowed 20 see it for the modest
sum of six-pense.
The principal attraction of Seaford
to visitors, at least, to gentlemen, arc
the golf links which are the second bes.
in England.
There are a great many interesting
places in the vicinity of Seaford, the
most quaint and picturesque being
Alfriston, a little inland village dis
tant about five miles. The road goes
over the downs and is very hilly. We
go up hill for a long way. but once at
the top we can see for miles in every
direction. The sea is on one side, and
all around are the undulating downs,
with tiny villages nesting in the hol
lows. From the top of this hill
Hindover, il is down hill into Afriston.
The Odd Star Inn here is quite the
quaintest building I've ever seen. 1t $
said to be over 800 years old. and or
looking at it one can quite believe it,
Tradition says it is the cottage an
which King Alfred took refuge and |
where he burned the cakes which the |
cotter's wife set him to watch. The |
beams and all the wood work inside are
of solid oak. painted, however. by som. |
Goth. The roof is very queer outside, |
being made in flutes resembling waves, |
and at one corner is huge monster |
carved of wood and painted red which |
has evidently once been the figure head |
of some ship. All the outside of tn
building is decorated with grotesque
images carved from wood. The WIN
dows have tiny latticed panes. and
they project from the building having
the appearance of being hung on.
There is a tiny market place with
cross in the center which has evidently
stood the winds and storms of a good
many centuries to judge from its bat
.ered, weather-beaten appearance.
Leaving Alfriston We return to Sea-
ford by another road through the vii
age of Littlington. five like we can
urn off and pay a visit to Luliington, |
which is, l am sure, the smallest viii
age in the world. II consists of two
houses and a church The church is
because it is one of the
smallest in England. 1t has seats for
only 20 people. When ! visited it it
was sadly in need of doing up as the
walls We're damp and green with
mould.
The drive to Brighton is exceedingly
pretty as the road goes along the top
If the cliffs close to the sea. The place
itself is embarrassing, and always
seems to me just like London on the
sea. There is a large pavilion built in
Moorish style by George ". and 4
magnificent aquarium containing every
sort of marine animal.
Other interesting places are Pevensey
With it's Roman wall and ruined castle,
Aewes and Arundel with it's castle and
park, the seat of the Earl of
Norfolk. All these places. except
4ewes, are too far away to drive but
,an be easily visited by train. Still
arther away are Battle and Hastings.
where Harold fought his last fight and {
vas conquered.
IDA MAY COUSINS,
Another contribution of $50 has Just :
'een made to the fund started for manual
raining in connection with the Maine l