Westdean, East Sussex

Westdean is a village nestled on the edge of Friston Forest within the Cuckmere Valley civil parish in East Sussex. Its All Saints Church boasts Saxon origins, featuring a Saxon-era window in the north wall, reflecting the village’s deep historical roots. Adjacent to the church stands The Old Parsonage, a medieval flint and stone building constructed by Benedictine monks in 1280, continuously occupied until the 1970s and now a private residence.

Opposite the church lie the remains of a Norman-era manor, alongside a well-preserved Norman dovecote, offering glimpses into the village’s medieval past. The South Downs Way, a renowned walking trail, passes through Westdean, linking it to the wider landscape of the South Downs National Park.

Westdean forms part of the Cuckmere Valley parish, which includes other historic villages such as Litlington and Lullington, each with their own unique heritage. The area is rich in archaeological and natural interest, with nearby Sites of Special Scientific Interest like Wilmington Downs and Lullington Heath preserving rare chalk grassland habitats.