Alfriston Clergy House, Polegate,East Sussex

This delightful little clergy house was the first property to be acquired by the National Trust when they purchased it in 1896 for £10. Built in the 14th century by a wealthy farmer who prospered after the black death. The house lies adjacent to St.Andrews Church who bought it in 1395  for the parish priest and his housekeeper. The floor looks a modern shiny white screeded floor, but it is actually made from a mixture of chalk powder and sour milk and is particularly rare now. On one of the beams inside the property is the carved emblem of an oak leaf and this is thought to have been the inspiration for the modern National Trust logo (see my second photo). It is a shame that there is a high hedge around the building because a lot of its beauty is hidden from view.