Sussex is known for a number of wonderful attractions that include its vineyards, the stunning South Downs, Ashdown Forest, the Sussex coast and a wealth of history and culture. This itinerary is designed to help you discover Sussex, and its best bits, whilst enjoying a little luxury and taking care of your wellbeing. It allows you two nights at each venue and two days to explore each area, but of course, you can shorten or lengthen your stay, according to your budget and the time you have available.
Wellbeing and wine
The first stop on this Discover Sussex trail is South Lodge near Horsham in West Sussex. This part of your stay is all about wellness and local wine. Arrive early if you can to explore.
Your hotel
South Lodge is a 5-star hotel and part of the Exclusive Collection of hotels. It’s set in 92 acres and is housed in a late Victorian mansion built in Jacobean / Gothic style. It has a wildflower meadow, a natural swimming pond, a hydrotherapy pool, an indoor infinity pool, a vineyard, three restaurants, lakeside and spa lodges and a state-of-the-art spa. There are dog-friendly rooms.
Their spa restaurant, Botanica, is a dairy-free, sustainability and health-focused restaurant and The Pass restaurant has a Michelin star and four AA Rosettes. With a large terrace and views over the South Downs, when you’re not eating, you might just want to sit and sip on a drink for a while admiring the view.
Exploring the area
You don’t have to leave the hotel and you could easily spend two days lying by the pool and enjoying a couple of spa treatments interspersed with some great food. However, the surrounding area offers much to explore. Just over the road from South Lodge is Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, where you’ll find two sculpture trails, Grade II listed gardens and a vineyard where they offer tours and tastings. And you’ll also find the odd wallaby too.
Jump in the car, and in 20 minutes, you’ll be at the Kinsbrook Vineyard. With a laid-back and fun atmosphere, this is a progressive vineyard, where you can enjoy a tour, live music or a meal in their restaurant. Just eight minutes’ drive from Kinsbrook and you come to Nutbourne Vineyard which has a completely different atmosphere and even has its own windmill. Once again, they offer tastings and tours.
If you’ve had enough of vineyards, you can always have a stroll around the historic town of Horsham or head back to the hotel for afternoon tea overlooking the lawns and the Downs.
Active on Ashdown Forest
Stop two is on Ashdown Forest with a stay at Buxted Park Hotel, near Uckfield in East Sussex. It’s approximately a 50-minute drive from South Lodge.
Your hotel
Buxted Park Hotel is part of the Hand Picked Hotels group and is a 4-star hotel. It’s set in 312 acres and in a beautiful Georgian Palladian-style mansion house. Their Orangery Restaurant has two AA Rosettes and you can enjoy afternoon tea overlooking the lawns. They are also a dog-friendly hotel.
Exploring the area
There is lots to do in this part of the world, and a great place to start is by exploring Ashdown Forest. From short strolls, to hearty walks, this is a beautiful area of ancient woodland and heathland with views of the South Downs and lots of points of interest. There are waterfalls, a windmill, a forgotten garden, Winnie the Pooh, and a memorial all tucked away on the forest and you could easily spend half a day to a day exploring. If you’re out for the day walking, you’ll find some great places for a spot of lunch too like The Coach and Horses at Danehill, The Hatch at Coleman’s Hatch and The Dorset Arms at Withyham.
If walking is not for you, never fear, there are beautiful gardens and a heritage railway line within a 20-minute drive at Sheffield Park and the Bluebell Railway. Sheffield Park is famed for its autumn colours.
Stroll the South Downs
Stop three of your Discover Sussex journey is all about the South Downs and you’re heading to Deans Place Country House Hotel at Alfriston. If you’re planning this itinerary in 2024, you will need to stay at nearby The Star at Alfriston or Rathfinny as Deans Place is undergoing a refurbishment and will reopen in January 2025. But neither The Star or Rathfinny will let you down in terms of style.
Your hotel
For those planning ahead to next year, Deans Place is a 4-star hotel in a 14th century country house with a pool, croquet lawns and boules court, along with its well-regarded Dining Room restaurant.
Exploring the area
Your starting point for exploring the area has to be in Alfriston village where there are several boutiques, some beautiful timber buildings and a lot of history. Must-visits here are the Much Ado bookshop, the Clergy House and the quirky village shop. Look out for tales of smugglers and perhaps squeeze in lunch at The Star or head up to Rathfinny vineyard on the Downs just outside the village for some wine tasting.
Once you’ve got your bearings, it’s time to discover the landscape. You’re on the South Downs Way here so, you can head west up onto the Downs for some incredible views of the world around you. Alternatively, go east and follow the South Downs Way along the river Cuckmere, into Friston Forest and then emerge with views of Cuckmere Haven and have brunch at the Saltmarsh Farmhouse and Café. It’s roughly a 5 km walk there and you can either retrace your steps or cross the river and head back on the other side. And look out for the giant chalk horse carved into the hillside.
Mermaids, sand castles and history
Your final stop is in the far east corner of Sussex at Camber Sands where you can stay at The Gallivant. From here you have miles of sandy beaches and some fabulous history to explore.
Your hotel
The Gallivant is a 4-star hotel and has a super chic beach boutique feel. It has a small but delightful spa in its Bamford Cabin, a stylish yoga studio and a fabulous restaurant along with a beach garden. Cross the road and you’re straight onto the beach with sand dunes and miles of sandy seafront to enjoy. The Gallivant focus on happiness and wellbeing and it’s a lovely place to end your Discover Sussex tour.
Exploring the area
If you get fed up of the beach, there are local water sports and walks. Beyond that, the historic town of Rye is less than 10 minutes away, with its iconic Mermaid Street and its history that goes back thousands of years. Just outside Rye, Winchelsea is also well worth a visit for the history fans.
By the end of this Discover Sussex tour, you’ll have visited some of the great wonders of Sussex and with luck will feel rested and restored, and ready to explore the rest of Sussex!
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