The historic Middle House in the heart of Mayfield, East Sussex
Mayfield is famous for the legend of St Dustan, a blacksmith who worked in the village. According to legend, the Devil visited Dunstan disguised as a beautiful woman, planning to lead him astray. However he noticed the cloven hooves beneath the woman’s dress, grabbed a nearby pair of red hot pincers and tweaked off the Devil’s nose. The Devil, fired with hate and even more determined to destroy Dunstan, returned once more – this time disguised as a weary traveller. Once again Dunstan was not fooled and beat the Devil until he promised never to enter any house with a horseshoe above its door. Unsurprisingly, the church was dedicated to St Dunstan. The Devil never forgot Dunstan’s actions however. The church was burned to the ground in the 14th Century and had to be rebuilt only to be struck by lightning three centuries later. Many wonder if this is the work of the Devil wreaking his revenge on St Dunstan.
Mayfield also boasts some strong links to past royalty. Three times in the late 1400s Henry VII visited the village, accompanied by Archbishop Morton. Less than 20 years later Henry VIII followed in his father’s footsteps, visiting at least twice with his own Chancellor, Archbishop Warham and quite possibly also his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Then in 1545 Queen Mary had four Protestants burnt at the stake on Station Road. Every year the village holds a spectacular bonfire parade in celebration and remembrance of those martyred by the Queen.
One of Mayfield’s biggest features is that the well-loved musical Mary Poppins was first written there and it also possesses one of the few remaining post mills still in existence in England as well as many buildings dating back as far as the early 1400s.
Mayfield holds three regular events, its Mayfair festival, a biennial Festival of Music and Arts and a Fringe Festival which includes an Art Trail. It is also a prime location from which to Davenport Vineyards or the famous Middle House in the high street if you want a delicious meal.