Village Life

Village Life: East Sussex

Hidden away in the gardens of a 16th-century manor house, this home in East Sussex was once a stone farm building, but today, you'll find a rather lovely rural escape.

Despite the property's long history, the interior is contemporary in style, with smart Karndean flooring, soothing white walls and furnishings that come from the Scandi school of style. Aside from during the depths of winter, fresh flowers sourced from the flourishing south-facing garden, which can be spotted out of the living room windows, are thoughtfully arranged about the house by the host.

Head out the back door and you can admire the magnolia tree and plant beds for yourself, or simply sit out on the patio with the barbecue smoking away in the background. From this vantage point, It's possible to see Newick's 11th-century sandstone church — the clock of which is silent, you might be happy to learn.

Elsewhere in the village, there's a cricket pitch, a children's playground, and a woodland walk that comes alive with bluebells in the spring. In the morning, why not check out the local bakery and grab some fresh croissants for breakfast? For lunch, stop by the cafe, and for dinner, choose from three oak-beamed pubs featuring roaring fires and tasty meals, all within easy walking distance.

Although the locale feels like the quintessential English countryside, the city of Brighton only takes thirty-five minutes to reach in the car whenever you have a hankering for a day at the seaside.

Home truths:
*There's ample free parking on the street in the cul-de-sac, however a space on the driveway can be arranged if guests require one for mobility reasons
*From the entry level there is one step down to the sitting room, and a couple of steps up to the twin room
*The washer/dryer is one appliance
*A cot, high chair and children's tableware can be provided if required
*There's a security camera on that picks up the driveway and part of the pedestrian path
*The total capacity is five guests and one child under the age of two