Stay extraordinary at these unusual Sussex hotels
There’s nothing wrong with a nice hotel room but sometimes you want something a little more memorable than a comfy bed, buffet breakfast and a TV remote that you can’t work, writes Nick Mosley.
Fortunately, Sussex has plenty of places to stay that are a little out of the ordinary, whether you fancy sleeping in a former lighthouse, spending the night in a vintage railway carriage or escaping to a treehouse in the middle of the woods. Here are six of the county’s most unusual places to lay your head.
Most spectacular view: Belle Tout Lighthouse, Beachy Head
It’s hard to imagine a more spectacular location for a bed and breakfast than Belle Tout Lighthouse, perched on the cliffs of Beachy Head overlooking the Channel.
Built in 1832, the former lighthouse has been converted into an intimate place to stay, with six individually styled bedrooms and views across the surrounding countryside and coastline from the lantern room lounge.
The building has had a colourful history, including being moved back from the eroding cliff edge in 1999. Today, its elevated position provides a wonderful vantage point for watching the weather roll across the Channel, with the Seven Sisters stretching into the distance.
Most nostalgic: The Old Railway Station, Petworth
If you’ve ever fancied travelling back to the golden age of railways, The Old Railway Station in Petworth offers the chance to do so without actually going anywhere.
The restored Victorian station has been transformed into unusual accommodation, with vintage Pullman railway carriages providing eight en-suite bedrooms, alongside two rooms in the former station building. The carriages retain their period character, while the station itself provides a charming setting for breakfast.
It’s a particularly good choice for railway enthusiasts, although you certainly don’t need to know your locomotives from your rolling stock to appreciate the novelty.
Most quirky: Cowdray Treehouses, Midhurst
Treehouses are usually the stuff of childhood fantasies – Enid Blyton and all that – but Cowdray Treehouses near Midhurst offer a rather more grown-up interpretation.
Set in woodland on the Cowdray Estate, the contemporary retreats combine the romance of staying among the trees with the sort of comforts you would expect from a luxury self-catering property.
The treehouses feature king-size beds, open-plan living spaces, kitchens and wraparound balconies. There are also outdoor baths, which sound particularly appealing after a day spent exploring the wider estate on foot or cycle, or picking up some locally produced goodies at the farm shop.
Most eccentric: Blackberry Wood, Ditchling
If you thought glamping meant little more than a canvas tent with a proper mattress, Blackberry Wood near Ditchling might change your mind.
This woodland retreat has built its reputation on accommodation that is anything but conventional. Options include treehouses, converted vehicles and Hobbit-esque themed hideaways, with a helicopter and a fire engine among the more unexpected places to spend the night.
It’s an imaginative approach to camping, with the woodland setting adding to the sense of escape. Depending on your choice of accommodation, you can spend the evening around a campfire before retreating to something considerably more unusual than a standard tent.
Prices vary according to the accommodation and time of year, with the more elaborate options costing considerably more than the basic cabins.
Most ecological: Knepp Estate, Horsham
For a different sort of escape, Knepp Estate near Horsham offers the opportunity to stay in the middle of one of Europe’s best-known rewilding projects.
The estate has become a leading example of how land can be managed to encourage nature, with free-roaming animals and an increasingly diverse range of wildlife. Visitors can stay in everything from bell tents and yurts to shepherd's huts and treehouses.
Wildlife safaris offer a closer look at the conservation work, while the accommodation provides a base for exploring the estate at a more leisurely pace.
For anyone interested in sustainability and the natural environment, Knepp offers something rather more meaningful than simply escaping to the countryside for a couple of nights.
Most luxurious: The Reeds at South Lodge, Horsham
If – like me – your idea of an unusual stay involves rather more indulgence, The Reeds at South Lodge near Horsham will fit the bill.
These luxury lakeside lodges combine contemporary interiors with a secluded setting, private outdoor space and views across the water. Selected lodges offer infrared saunas and outdoor copper baths.
Guests can also enjoy the wider facilities at South Lodge, including its fabulous spa and choice of three restaurants – including the Michelin-starred The Pass – giving you the best of both worlds: the privacy of your own retreat and the comforts of a five-star country-house hotel.
It’s certainly not the cheapest way to spend a night in Sussex, but the combination of lakeside surroundings, high-end facilities and a sense of privacy makes it a great option for a special occasion.
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