Horsted Place Hotel

Our verdant South East has so much to offer the short break seeker, from fantastic glamping sites to splendid country houses. We try Horsted Place Hotel for our quick birthday break. By Tess de Klerk

My partner, who has frequented many, many a hotel, spoke fondly of Horsted Place Hotel, set deep in the Sussex countryside. It clearly stood out in his mind after having stayed years before, therefore when the time came to book his UK birthday break, Horsted Place was first on my list. during normal times we would have flitted off to some exotic destination for a quick, sunny break, but I can say that the easy 30-minute drive from Brighton to our destination sure beat the rush to the airport, airport queues and flights we would typically have had to squeeze in during a short break! Add to that the great expectations of a red hot summer, as predicted by those certain weather scientists more inclined to rosy outooks than their dreary counterparts, and I find myself, both delightedly and a bit reluctantly, saying that maybe, just maybe, being restricted to UK breaks only isn’t quite the disaster my melodramatic inner voice had me believing!

Arriving through a private wooded area with bluebells in full bloom, the dramatic Pugin manor impressively appears. With its mullioned windows, intricate redbrick facade and turrets, it takes you back to a time when no expense was spared to construct homes as everlasting art. We were at reception a tad early but were warmly welcomed and invited to have a drink in the drawing-room while our suite was being prepared. A bit peckish, we decided on an early afternoon tea which I am pleased to be able to say is also offered as a gluten-free option. during summer months Horsted Place’s acclaimed English afternoon tea is served outside on the immaculate lawn overlooking the East Sussex National golf course and Sussex downs.

Built in 1850 for Francis Barchard, a wealthy merchant trader, Horsted Place isn’t large by some manor house standards but it is large enough to offer 17 spacious rooms and suites, and cosy enough to create that feeling of enveloping luxury. It has a warm, country manor appeal with roaring fires in winter, gilt-framed paintings of surly ancestors and polished antique furnishings. At the heart is an elaborate staircase entwined with golden eagles, acquired from the Great Exhibition’s Crystal Palace in 1851.

As a former retreat of the Windsors, some suites are named after the royal occupants who favoured them and we were booked into the Edinburgh Suite, the duke’s chambers back in the day. Our suite was understated but did not disappoint. I am immensely fussy when it comes to hotel cleanliness and I can say that the bathroom, specifically, was pristine. All accommodations favour the traditional country house style - muted florals, thick carpets and damask pelmets. Some modern bathrooms are less spacious than others, but deep baths are standard throughout.

dining at Prava promises elegant surroundings and unpretentious, modern British cooking, which uses the very best seasonal produce, locally sourced wherever possible. We ordered the cod and lamb and we were both impressed by the presentation and flavour. There is always risk in returning to a place once experienced as perfect and unfortunately, the service wasn’t quite what it had been years before but the waiting staff were friendly, tried their best but seemed overwhelmed. we put that down to ‘teething problems’ after reopening and they can surely be forgiven for that.

Guests can play croquet or tennis during summer and enjoy a stroll along Queen’s Walk, the monarch’s secret pathway to the local chapel or merely take in the gardens and surrounding nature.

They also have free use of the spa and pool at the East Sussex National Hotel, a short drive away. Horsted residents benefit from special rates and tee times at its two championship golf courses too. Glyndebourne Opera House is six miles away.

My partner arrived home saying that it felt as if he had been away for much longer than the one night and I concur. In the short time we spent at Horsted Place Hotel we felt relaxed, pampered and spoilt. The beautiful old manor house and grounds manages to quickly take you away from your day to day, back to an imaginary time of leisure and ease. A comfortable four stars.