Shepherd’s Cottage is tucked below the slopes of the South Downs at Firle Beacon in a remote spot on an ancient Byway between Firle and Alfriston. It is a special place to enjoy the views, walks and culture of this part of the South Downs on the Firle Estate, former home and retreat of the colourful Bloomsbury Group. The cottage has been carefully restored to capture the unique history, character and beauty of the location and immerse you in this unique landscape.
The space
"Hand-painted stencilling decorates the two bedroom walls and there’s specially printed hemp wallpaper, with scenes of barns and buildings from the estate, in the sitting room. The expert renovation used original bricks and traditional materials (the kitchen floor is lime and ash mix, not concrete, for example). It feels like a very comfortable and charming (TV-free!) time capsule, with memorabilia from the 1930s and 40s."
The Guardian
Built in the late 18th Century the cottage is a perfect location for heading out to explore the the Firle Estate landscape crisscrossed by some 29 miles of footpaths and byways. Firle village with its pub the Ram Inn and shop are a 2 mile walk away to the west, with the Cricketers Arms at Berwick 2 miles to the east; further pubs, restaurant and shops in Alfriston are a short drive away.
Shepherd’s Cottage is located down an unmade remote farm track one mile off the A27. The cycle lane and footpath networks link to the train stations at Berwick Station (2 miles), Glynde (3.5 miles) and Lewes (7 miles).
The cottage has been carefully restored to how we imagined the shepherd might have left it when the last big flocks of sheep were moved off the Downs for the last time at the outbreak of the second world war. It is perfect for the discerning guest seeking old Sussex country character with just enough modern convenience and practicality to provide a unique stay.
The cottage sleeps four people and has two double bedrooms, one with a king size and one with a double bed. The cosy sitting room downstairs has a log burner, and there is a dining table and electric range cooker in the kitchen. The comparatively roomy 'clotted cream' bathroom has a central bath with a shower above and its own door to the garden so you can soak without losing touch with the outdoors (if you dare). The kitchen and larder are well equipped for you to serve and enjoy any holiday provisions.
Other things to note
ACCESS
Access to the cottage is via an unmade farm gravel track that leads south from Charleston. The track is susceptible to potholes and waterlogging and is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles or SUVs and family cars that proceed below 10 mph and have a ground clearance no lower than 18 centimetres or 7 inches. The surface is not suitable for vehicles with low profile tyres. Access to the cottage on the farm track is at the owners risk of damage to their vehicle for any reason. Parking is provided for 2 vehicles.
SHOOTING
Please be aware that from the 1st October until 1st February inclusive (predominantly on Mondays and Fridays and on some Saturdays) there will be shooting in the field immediately behind the cottage once during the day. The shooting is managed by Firle Sporting Club Ltd to the highest safety standards. The actual shooting and noise from guns in the field behind the cottage tends to last about 10-15 minutes before the shooting party will move to another location on the Estate. It is safe to be in the house and its garden when there is shooting, but to the uninitiated the gun fire can be startling if it is unexpected.
HEATING
The cottage is centrally heated by radiators upstairs and underfloor heating downstairs (see House Manual).
WOODBURNER
Only Wood briquettes (eco logs), should be used in the wood-burner and can be provided by us on request.
WI-FI
Wi-Fi in the cottage is provided by a mobile dongle with unlimited data. The mobile signal is weak for most networks. The Wifi signal is usually satisfactory for most guests but can be unreliable on occasion such as bad weather or when there is network issues.
FACILITIES
The bedrooms are fully equipped with luxury sheets and towels, but we recommend you bring a dressing gown for trips down to the bathroom located on the ground floor.
A condensing washer/ dryer is fitted under the fridge in the larder. Wet clothes should not be dried in the house but instead in the dryer or on the outside washing line provided.
PETS
Unfortunately we have a STRICT no pets policy at the cottage or in the garden.
THE NEIGHBOURS
Neighbouring Shepherds Barn is home to a foraging and cookery school with outdoor dining 'Hunter Gather Cook'. Foraging and cookery courses can be booked on their website.
MEDIA
There is no television at the cottage to heighten your experience but we have provided a DAB 'wireless' so you can tune into the BBC 'Home Service' and you don’t miss the shipping forecast.
THE RESTORATION
During your stay you will notice a variety of handmade details. We have sought to showcase traditional materials and finishes. Every wall in the house has been lime plastered and lime washed with paint made by Simon March in Hastings. Upstairs the bedroom stencilling is hand painted. In the sitting room a Firle wallpaper was designed and printed on hemp paper for the cottage showing interesting local barns and buildings on the Estate. The kitchen floor is a lime and ash mix (not concrete!) which is a historic material. The dresser was adapted from an old Welsh design and stretched to fill one side of the room with a long oak top and plenty of drawers. The bricks in the larder and sitting room are original and have been re-laid. Every element has been carefully picked over to create a complete interior to immerse you in the history of this unique landscape.
