The Best Hotels in South Downs

This 900-year-old West Sussex castle offers luxury accommodation within medieval walls. Its stunning gardens are home to an 18-hole putting course and 2 lakes. There is free private parking on site, and Amberley Rail Station is a 10-minute walk away.

Amberley Castle has been awarded 4 AA Red Stars and 3 AA Rosettes for its fantastic food. You can dine in the 12th-century Queen’s Room with its vaulted ceiling, or the Great Room, with oak flooring, a tapestry, and suits of armour.

The elegant bedrooms are furnished with antiques and fine fabrics, and biscuits will be waiting for you on arrival. Each room also comes with fluffy bathrobes, slippers, a flat-screen TV, and facilities for making tea and coffee.

Amberley Castle is completely enclosed by its old wall, and retains a portcullis that gets lowered at night. You can climb the ramparts for stunning views, play tennis on site, and there is also a croquet lawn to enjoy.

Set within its own picturesque grounds, this award-winning former coaching inn, dating back in parts to 1430, provides traditional accommodation and a luxurious spa in the historic Sussex market town of Midhurst.

The Spread Eagle Hotel still retains many of its original features, including sloping floors, inglenook fireplaces and oak beams. The award-winning restaurant also features a beautiful stained glass window.

In contrast to the historic aspects of the hotel, the Spread Eagle offers a modern spa, complete with an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and gym. Alternatively you can indulge with a personalised beauty treatment.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this charming Victorian house is surrounded by 10 acres of grounds in the village of Bepton in West Sussex. It has free Wi-Fi, free parking, and beautiful views of the South Downs National Park.

Park House Hotel provides a farmhouse buffet and full English breakfast each morning, and in the drawing room you can enjoy traditional afternoon tea with freshly baked biscuits and homemade cakes. Sunday lunches are also served, with food made from fresh, locally produced seasonal ingredients.

Park House allow dogs into certain parts of the hotel, and offer Cottage Suites which can accommodate dogs overnight.

Leisure facilities include a 15-metre indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi®, steam room, sauna, gym and fitness studio. The award-winning spa offers a range of beauty treatments and therapies.

Bedrooms at Park House are elegant and individually designed, are equipped with satellite TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryers and complimentary slippers.

The charming market town of Midhurst is a a 5-minute drive and the historic city of Chichester is just 20 minutes away.

Set within 400 acres of picturesque Hampshire countryside, Old Thorns Manor Hotel is built around an idyllic 17th-century building offering luxury accommodation, health & spa facilities, and an 18-hole championship golf course.

The Elevation Health Club, with panoramic views across the golf course, provides guests with a 20-metre swimming pool and wellness suite featuring a sauna and steam room. A range of treatments can be reserved at the Old Thorns spa.

Dining options include the Kings Restaurant, which has a brasserie menu and is famous for its Sunday carvery, and the more relaxed Sports Bar, with a bar menu and sporting theme, The Atrium Champagne& Cocktail bar is available for drinks and afternoon tea.
Easily accessible from the A3 London to Portsmouth route, Old Thorns Hotel & Resort is less than 30 minutes from
the M25.

Set in the South Downs National Park, in acres of rolling Sussex countryside, The White Horse is a country pub offering British cuisine, luxurious bedrooms and free Wi-Fi.

Guests can enjoy a gastropub experience of award-winning British cuisine, home-made bar snacks, fresh game, fish and locally sourced produce. To accompany the food, an extensive wine list and some regional ale are available.

The rooms at The White Horse are chic and there is a choice of rain shower or bath, some of which are roll-top copper baths, some of which are spa baths. Features include a 50-inch TV.

Goodwood Estate, featuring a golf course designed in 1914, motor racing, horse racing and flying club is just 10 minutes’ drive from The White Horse, as well as the Chichester Festival Theatre and Weald & Downland Open Air Museum. There is free parking at the property.

Conveniently placed on the A272 in the middle of Sussex countryside, this historic 5-star country inn encapsulates a balance between modern sensibility and rustic charm.

Halfway between Midhurst and Petworth, Halfway Bridge is suitably isolated for a weekend break in the beautiful South Downs National Park.

With its 5 open fires, the modern AA Rosette award winning restaurant presents a warm atmosphere reminiscent of its 17th-century roots. The menu features local ingredients and produce from London markets. The restaurant is also recommended in the Michelin Guide 2014. In the morning, a continental breakfast or a freshly prepared full English breakfast are on offer.

Its location is also convenient for links to Guildford, Portsmouth, Crawley and Chichester. The leisure resorts of Bognor Regis, Worthing and Brighton are also just a short distance away.

With a dramatic location on the cliffs and spectacular views out over the sea, the White Horse Hotel is located on the edge of the South Downs, just 5 km from Brighton.

The hotel’s attractive bar and restaurant have magnificent sea views and offer an interesting and extensive menu. At the front of the hotel, the decked patio and terrace is a wonderful spot to relax and admire the breathtaking views.

There are 32 refurbished and well-appointed en suite rooms, all of which are comfortably furnished and designed. All junior suites and superior rooms boast impressive sea views

With free parking for overnight guests and easy access to all of the region’s major roads, the White Horse Hotel has a great location from which to visit Brighton, with its magnificent pavilion, the Palace Pier and the marina. The Sea Life Centre and the unique shops of the famous Lanes are also well worth a visit.

Set in Alfriston, 13 km from Glyndebourne Opera House, Wingrove House offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a bar. The property is around 16 km from Eastbourne Pier, 18 km from Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park and 22 km from AMEX Stadium. The accommodation features a housekeeping service and private check-in and check-out for guests.

The units in the country house are fitted with a kettle. With a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and a hair dryer, units at the country house also provide guests with free WiFi. At the country house, each unit comes with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV.

Guests can dine in the on-site traditional restaurant, which serves British cuisine and also offers vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options.

Guests at the country house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Alfriston, like cycling. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area.

Brighton Dome is 28 km from Wingrove House, while Victoria Gardens is 28 km away. London Gatwick Airport is 62 km from the property.

The Hampshire Hog offers beautiful rooms, delicious local food and Fuller's award-winning ales all just a few miles from Portsmouth.

There is a large car park and delightful outside seating with wonderful views over the South Downs.

Set in 30 acres of private parkland, Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa features an indoor and outdoor pool, modern spa and fitness centre, and tennis courts. The rose-clad courtyard provides an informal setting for light lunches and traditional afternoon teas.

A private bathroom, satellite TV and views of the grounds are included in all rooms, with a choice of medieval or contemporary décor offered with the Superior room type.

Medieval architecture, gothic mullioned windows and tapestry-hung walls feature in the elegant Tapestry Restaurant at Bailiffscourt Hotel, which serves modern English cuisine. Private dining is available in the conservatory, the music room which features a log fire, or the original Norman chapel.

Climping Beach is located 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel. The market town of Arundel is a 15-minute drive and features a medieval castle, cathedral and riverside walks.

This 14th century country house hotel, is set in the heart of the Sussex Downs in the village of Alfriston. The The Alfriston is just a short drive from the seaside town of Eastbourne and cosmoplitan Brighton.

Set in four acres of fabulous gardens, The Alfriston has all the facilities for a perfect break. It boasts 36 bedrooms, a public bar, and guest lounges.

The hotel is home to the locally renowned, Rosette-awarded, Dining Room. It also offers an outdoor seasonal swimming pool (available from May to September). Guests can enjoy playing croquet and boules in the grounds.

Relaxing evenings can be spent on the large terrace, which is ideal for alfresco dining during the summer months.

Situated in the heart of Arundel, this grade II listed Victorian building was completely refurbished in May 2012 to combine traditional comforts with the facilities of a modern 4-star hotel.

The town of Arundel is an enchanting place for you to explore. It is famous for its 12th century castle which was once the historic seat of the Duke of Norfolk, the premier Dukedom of the realm. The Swan Hotel itself dates back to 1759 and is a prominent building on the High Street.

The hotel's bar, serving the family owned Fuller Smith & Turner Ltd Ale is popular with locals and guests alike. A large range of Real Ales and continental lagers are served.

The restaurant which serves freshly prepared food daily and received a Visit Britain Breakfast Award – 2010. The menu is complimented by a wide range of quality wines from the 200 year old wine cellar.

Set 20 km from Goodwood Racecourse, 24 km from Goodwood House and 24 km from Goodwood Motor Circuit, The Welldiggers Arms offers accommodation located in Petworth. This 4-star bed and breakfast offers luggage storage space and a concierge service. There is a restaurant serving British cuisine, and free private parking is available.

At the bed and breakfast, units are fitted with a desk and a flat-screen TV. Units come with a kettle, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while some rooms also feature a terrace and some have garden views. At the bed and breakfast, each unit comes with bed linen and towels.

The bed and breakfast specialises in a continental and Full English/Irish breakfast and breakfast in the room is also available. Guests may relax in the on-site bar or lounge, while packed lunches are also available upon request.

Guests at The Welldiggers Arms can enjoy cycling and hiking nearby, or make the most of the garden.

Top Gear Test Track is 26 km from the accommodation, while Chichester Cathedral is 27 km from the property. London Gatwick Airport is 41 km away.

Set in acres of West Sussex countryside, West Dean College is just 6 miles from historic Chichester and 13 minutes’ drive from the heart of the South Downs National Park. The Sussex Coast can be reached after 20 minutes by car.

The rooms in this characterful and quirky period property are mostly traditional in style, although the college includes a variety of room types, with some more modern and contemporary options. Many rooms feature garden views and bathrooms offer either a bath or a shower, with complimentary toiletries and towels. The rooms are either situated within the main house or in cottages or the vicarage which are all within the grounds. You can expect a peaceful stay as rooms do not have TVs or phones in the rooms, we do however have excellent Wi-Fi should you wish to bring a laptop or tablet.

In the mornings, West Dean College serve breakfast between 8-9am on weekdays and 8-9:30am at the weekend. The breakfast will be served in the college dining room amongst the students.Tea and coffee will be provided in the bedroom and refreshed as needed.

Guests will receive free entry to West Dean’s famous and beautifully landscaped gardens. An array of activities can be enjoyed onsite, including walks through the stunning arboretum, croquet, and tennis. The outdoor heated swimming pool is open during summer. Please note that occasional essential maintenance may require the pool to be closed for a period. To avoid inconvenience, we recommend calling ahead or inquiring at reception upon arrival.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival are within 5 miles of the West Dean College. Gatwick Airport is 45 miles away and Heathrow Airport is less than 60 miles away.

Originally a Georgian manor house, Avisford Park Hotel sits on 89 acres of beautiful Sussex parkland between historic Chichester and Arundel – just 45 minutes from London Gatwick Airport and Southampton Airport and with direct rail links to London.

The Avisford Park offers an extensive selection of on-site leisure amenities and activities, perfect for individual travellers or families, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an 18-hole golf club, fitness room, tennis courts, croquet lawn, and table tennis tables.

Swimming pool opening times.
Indoor Pool - 07.30hrs - 19.30hrs daily

The outside pool is permanently closed.

Wine and dine in the Cedar Restaurant, a former prep school where you can still see the names of all the former head boys engraved on the cedar wall panels, or opt for a more relaxed experience in the Lounge Bar.