Luxury self-catering accommodation in Hartfield
Nestled on the edge of the enchanted Ashdown Forest, Hartfield may be small but is mighty in its reputation. The East Sussex village takes its name from the deer(hart) that abounded in the area when it was a royal hunting park but now is best known as home of Britain's most beloved bear, Winnie-the-Pooh.
The small village of Hartfield is a gleaming treasure trove of history, romantic entanglements and storybook charm. Most famous for being the home of A.A. Milne, author of the 'Winnie-the-Pooh' children's books, it's a must for families holidaying in the area to drop by for a game of Poohsticks on the bridge where it all began. For those wanting a home-cooked taste of East Sussex produce, the village boasts three traditional English inns including The Anchor, The Hay Wagon and Gallipot further out towards Forest Row.
A visit to Hartfield is best tied in with an excursion to Ashdown Forest, or the real 100 Acre Wood. Take children on a whimsical journey tracing the paw prints of Pooh and settle under a shady oak tree for a teddy bear picnic. This ancient area of open heathland occupies the highest ridgetop of the High Weald AONB, soaring to 730 feet above sea level and rewarding walkers with expansive views which reach from the wooded hills of the Weald all the way to the chalk escarpments of the North downs.
Figgy Court
Billingshurst, West Sussex, UK
A 700-year-old grain barn in West Sussex, Figgy Court is a luxury couples’ retreat with a riverside hot tub that affords a slice of country living on modern terms in Billingshurst.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,295 per week, £1,095 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub
Mulberry Mill
Billingshurst, West Sussex, UK
There’s something special about Mulberry Mill; a luxury country home on the River Arun that's close to the South Downs in West Sussex, on the edge of Billingshurst.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 guests
From: £1,950 per week, £1,450 per short break
Pets: Two pets are welcome
Features: Canoes for the river, football table, fishing is available year round outside of April and May
Fawn Wood
Hartfield, High Weald, East Sussex, UK
With its own heated pool, Fawn Wood is a luxury retreat in High Weald that started life as a granary, hiding in a sylvan setting on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.
Sleeps: 6 (+2) guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 guests
From: £3,295 per week, £2,495 per short break
Pets: Two dogs are welcome
Features: Small-scale outdoor heated pool (available May - September inclusive), professional Trackman golf simulator and SimWay Hunt Pro shooting simulator (advance booking required, incurs an additional cost), Big Green Egg barbeque and outdoor pizza oven.
The Gallerist
Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK
A former brewery, The Gallerist is a luxury country house with a cool streak, where a cinema room and pool call seekers of laissez-faire living to Haywards Heath in West Sussex.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 guests
From: £4,950 per week, £3,750 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool (available April - October), woodfired hot tub, tennis court, and cinema room
Mill of Arun
Billingshurst, West Sussex, UK
With a tranquil spot on the River Arun, Mill of Arun is a luxury country home with a hot tub and kayaks in West Sussex; a magical four-story space for families near Billingshurst.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
From: £3,195 per week, £2,495 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, two kayaks for the river, table football in the games room, fishing is available year round outside of April and May
Roserai
A stately house in its own lush grounds with little luxuries inside and out that every weekender wishes for, this is one dream home that guests won't ever want to leave.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 guests
From: £3,995 per week, £2,995 per short break
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs or one large dog welcome on prior request
Features: Heated swimming pool (available May-September), hot tub, sauna, steam room and pool house
Cadence
A 1970s sci-fi film was the unlikely inspiration for architect-owned retreat Cadence; an award-winning luxury country house in pretty Petworth, on West Sussex's poetic South Downs.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
From: £5,495 per week
Pets: Two well-behaved pets are welcome
Studio Fold
Nutbourne, Pulborough, West Sussex, UK
Modern design and eco creds have seen former water pumping station Studio Fold in Pulborough's sought-after village of Nutbourne transform into an award-winning West Sussex home.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
From: £2,595 per week, £1,950 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Pool table and cinema room
The Art House
Sutton, Pulborough, West Sussex, UK
An idyllic retreat and chef's favourite, The Art House is a luxury country home in the village of Sutton in West Sussex; complete with a pool, tennis court and wild swimming lake.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
From: £10,495 per week
Pets: One well-behaved dog is welcome
Features: 17-metre heated outdoor swimming pool (June - September), sauna, 50-metre wild swimming lake with jetty, tennis court, air hockey, pool table and fire pit
Ariabelle
Iping, Midhurst, West Sussex, UK
Found at the end of a sweeping drive, Ariabelle is the ultimate luxury country house, affording a spa-like stay with a lavish indoor pool in West Sussex's glorious South Downs.
Sleeps: Up to 14 guests
From: £18,395 per week, £15,450 per short break
Pets: Pets are considered on prior agreement
Features: Indoor heated swimming pool, hot tub, tennis court, steam room and sauna, gym and bar