Best hotels in West Sussex 2023: From waterside inns to manors with spas

With the rolling South Downs, beautiful beaches and historic villages, West Sussex makes for an enticing escape. Yet much of the county is within an hour of London.

Whether it’s the charming town of Arundel and its Norman castle you’ve come to see, somewhere dog-friendly in the wooded plain of The Weald, a coastal escape for all the family in Shoreham, or culture and foodie hotspots in Chichester, this county in South East England can provide.

Great places to stay are plentiful, too, so, no matter what kind of break you’re after – a short romantic getaway or a longer stay during the school holidays – there’s something for everyone.

From smart country houses and historic mansions 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 and family outings. Here’s our pick of the best.

Location: West Hoathly

Homegrown produce enhances the Michelin-starred meals at this Elizabethan mansion, once home to famous gardener William Robinson. The contemporary glass-walled restaurant looks on to 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.

Location: Goodwood

Fancy driving a retro racing car or taking to the…