With the rolling South Downs, beaches and historic villages, West Sussex makes for enticing escapes. Yet much of the county is within an hour of London. Great places to stay are plentiful, from smart country houses to cosy pubs with rooms. You can go for all-out indulgence with top spas and Michelin-starred dining or use your base for coastal exploration or sporting thrills.
The best hotels in West Sussex are:
Location: West Hoathly
Homegrown produce enhances the Michelin-starred meals at this Elizabethan mansion, once home to a famous gardener. The contemporary glass-walled restaurant looks onto a fabulous array of flowers, some of which end up topping the delectable dishes.
Beyond Gravetye’s own thousand acres are further treats for the horticulturally-minded, with Kew’s sister site Wakehurst and the National Trust’s autumn colour hotspot Sheffield Park nearby. For a more modest local alternative, The Cat Inn has smart rooms and Bib Gourmand-awarded dining in cosy surroundings.
Price: Doubles from £315, B&B
Location: Goodwood
Fancy driving a retro racing car or taking to the skies in a biplane? The sporty Goodwood Estate is a gift experience heaven. Golf and clay pigeon shooting are among the non-motorised activities offered, and the hotel has a spa for soothing tired muscles.
Don’t miss sustainable dining in Farmer, Butcher, Chef – an impressive restaurant decorated with retro finds from fire hoses to flags. You’ll need to book well ahead, though, for vintage car racing spectacular Goodwood Revival, which tops a packed calendar of sporting events.
Price: Doubles from £150, B&B
Location: Horsham
The newest of the top destination spas in West Sussex is a huge state-of-the-art affair at historic South Lodge. A ‘wild swimming’ option complete with rushes is among its three pools and an array of other features includes a sun terrace, herbal steam room, dedicated spin studio and veggie-slanted restaurant. The country house-style lodge itself sits within 93 acres and its 88 classically furnished rooms include suites with hot tub balconies.
Price: Doubles from £285, B&B
Location: Felpham
The hut-shaped suites adjoining the Beachcroft Hotel have plenty of cheery seaside style. Lounges with squashy sofas and…
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