HISTORIC UCKFIELD TOUR: CINQUE PORTS

This is the site of the King's Head (now the Cinque Ports) public house.
The King's Head was built in 1700, replacing a much older medieval building which stood on the pilgrimage route to Canterbury.
One of the rooms in the cellar is known as The Bishop's Prison, and the Protestant Martyr Richard Woodman was confined there before being burned at the stake in nearby Lewes.
It is Uckfield's oldest Pub, although it's not actually a Pub any more since it was sold off by Charringtons in 1972.
It's a great shame it's not still a pub, as I wouldn't mind popping in for a glass of ant gin sometimes – or a half of Malibu with a little umbrella on Talk Like A Pirate Day.
Cinque Ports is French for Five Ports, and there used to be five ports.
Uckfield isn't one of the Cinque Ports – they're all on the coast because they're ports, obviously – so I don't know why the Cinque Ports Club is here.
Their role, function and privileges were decreed by Charters in 1229, but let's not worry about that!
While we're here, allow me to introduce my mate Andrew – he's the seagull just above my head.
He was on his way to the local Sewage Farm for lunch and dropped by to say hello.
Next we'll cross the road and take a stroll down Church Lane, which was at the heart of the original settlement of Uckfield…