Tempus Fugit

Tempus Fugit: West Sussex

Once a coach house, this luxurious yet quirky spot in Chichester would suit a couple looking for a small-town getaway. A working clock takes pride of place on the home’s old facade, surrounded by white cladding and red brick. The walled garden out front welcomes you with an alfresco dining area – perfect for a summer cocktail or two – and a patio bursting with flora and illuminated with strings of lights at sundown. Stepping inside, the living room is made cosy with a wood-burning stove and you can choose between the plush leather or soft velvet sofa to lounge away the evening. It’s the quirky touches that really grabbed us though – brass pineapple lampstands and gnarled wooden beams on display in the bedroom. You’re in the heart of old Chichester here, a ten-minute walk to the 12th-century cathedral and amongst shambling streets with coffee shops, pubs and restaurants a-plenty. If exploring the outdoors is more your scene, the South Downs National Park is a five-minute drive, and the wild-life filled trails of Chichester Harbour AONB is a ten-minute drive.

Home truths:
*There is secure parking for one car behind the electric gate
*Usually a bunch of fresh flowers and welcoming pastries await you, so let the host know if you have allergies
*Close to the cathedral, you might awake to the sound of bells chiming on a Sunday morning
*The host provides a phone charger in case you forget yours