Originally published by The Argus’s sister title Sussex Life
BEST FOR WALKERS
Horse & Groom East Ashling, near Chichester
There’s nothing like finding a cosy pub at the end of a long winter walk and The Horse & Groom in East Ashling has been providing local ramblers with a welcome pit stop for over 200 years. Located just four miles west of Chichester and on the edge of the South Downs National Park, it’s an ideal base for visiting the city’s festive Christmas markets and exploring the miles of surrounding countryside. To help, the pub has created its own booklet listing some of its favourite hikes in the area, complete with a beautifully illustrated map and directions. When you return from your walk, cosy up by the crackling fire with a pint of local ale or glass of English red and you’ll soon feel right at home. Refuel on the locally led menu and then retire to one of the 10 recently refurbished guest rooms.
From £139 per night, thehorseandgroom.pub
BEST FOR AN OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS DIP
South Lodge, Lower Beeding
If you’re the type of person who likes to blow away the cobwebs over the festive season with a Christmas or Boxing Day dip, then South Lodge is the place to do it in style. While many flock to coastal hots spots to plunge into the waves, guests at this hotel, on the outskirts of Horsham, can take advantage of the calmer wild swimming lake. There’s always a lifeguard on duty, plus luxurious dry robes and hot chocolate to warm up with after, while those feeling a little tentative, can test the waters in the natural pool, which hovers at a brisk 14 degrees Celsius, before braving the bracing temperatures of the lake. Those staying in one of the eight luxury lodges that abut the lake – called The Reeds – have the luxury of a private outdoor tub should you prefer your outdoor bathing on the warmer side, accompanied, perhaps, by a glass of Sussex bubbles to toast the season.
Stays at The Reeds start from £1,200 per night for up to four people. exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge
BEST FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Amberley Castle, Amberley
Could there be anything more magical than spending Christmas in a medieval castle? Festivities within the walls of Amberley’s enchanting 12th century chastel begin in November with festive afternoon tea and dinner served from November 29, when the first of two Christmas themed glass workshops is also taking place, where guests can transform exquisite pre-cut glass shapes into stunning hanging Christmas decorations.
For those staying over Christmas, it’s a three-day affair with cream tea and mulled wine on arrival, Christmas Eve dinner accompanied by carol singers and jazz, a Nyetimber toast to Christmas Day with canapes followed by a seven-course lunch with all the trimmings and a wine flight. Spend Boxing Day wrapping up those magical memories with a relaxed breakfast and a keepsake caricature of those candid moments before yet another lavish dinner to round off the festivities.
The Christmas themed glass workshop takes place on Saturday November 29 and Sunday December 7 and costs £115 including afternoon tea. The Christmas Retreat package is £1,530 per night for two people sharing a room. amberleycastle.co.uk
BEST FOR CREATIVES
The Swan Inn, Fittleworth
Join Angus Davies and the team at The Swan Inn for the pub’s second festive season since it opened with a beautifully reimagined new look last year. Having grown up in Fittleworth, it was important to Angus that any restoration should respect the history of this cherished 14th century Sussex watering hole, which was once a retreat for iconic artists and writers, such as Turner, Constable, Rudyard Kipling, and Emmeline Pankhurst. As such, each of the 12 bedrooms is named in their memoriam and the makeover – a memorable upgrade – has been sensitively managed. Toast the festive season with a glass of Sussex fizz from nearby Ambriel Vineyard, while tucking into a traditional Sussex Pond Pudding and marvelling at views of the surrounding Downs, which has inspired so many creatives through history.
Double rooms from £180 per night, bed and breakfast, swaninnfittleworth.com
BEST FOR WINE LOVERS
Rathfinny, Alfriston
The vines may well have gone to sleep for the winter, getting some well-deserved rest ahead of the 2026 vintage but that doesn’t make a vineyard any less of an enchanting place to visit or stay. Quiet and remote, The Rathfinny Cottage offers home-away-from-home, self-catering accommodation, situated among the vines on Alfriston’s B Corp-certified wine estate.
The dog-friendly cottage, which sleeps four, marries country chic with contemporary touches and is just a five-minute drive from the historic village centre, complete with its delightful pubs that come alive with festive cheer at this time of year.
Brilliant walks from the doorstep, sweeping winter views across the glistening vines and a Michelin-recommended Tasting Room restaurant on site, where you can enjoy seasonal staples accompanied by award-winning sparkling wine make this a magical festive destination for wine enthusiasts.
Prices from £750 for three nights, rathfinnyestate.com
BEST FOR A (PRETEND) ROAD TRIP
Skoolie Stays bus, Pulborough
Tucked away on a privately-owned meadow in Pulborough, close to the South Downs in Sussex, you’ll find a delightful bright yellow school bus, which has made its way to the UK all the way from Florida. Now living a second life as a quirky glamping pod, the bus is powered by solar panels, has water-saving technology and sheep’s wool insulation providing a cosy winter bolthole for the family. The interior has been carefully designed and hand-built using recycled American Oak and recovered teak, while original parts of the bus have been recycled and repurposed – you’ll even find all the buttons and levers still in the cab. There’s a master bedroom at the rear of the bus, with a king-sized bed, while the kids get the dreamy bunk beds to share. There’s also a gas stove, fridge and large sink so you shouldn’t have too much trouble trying to create Christmas dinners, and afterwards, you can get toasty with a games night around the clean burning log stove.
A two-night, mid-week stay in December starts from £250. coolstays.com.
BEST FOR ART ENTHUSIASTS
The Pink House Lewes
A hand-painted sign in the garden shed and ruby-red Peggy Angus wallpaper hidden behind a bookcase were distinct clues to the most recent owners of The Pink House that their home was the famous Southover Gallery, run by model turned gallerist Deidre Bland some 50 years ago. Wanting to keep some of the double-fronted Georgian House’s heritage alive, they’ve made it into a hybrid space for creative collaborations and pop-up exhibitions with local artists — as well as a rental property for six adults plus kids. Staying here means being surrounded by beautiful things, the fabulous Peggy wallpaper now lines the gallery, there are vintage furnishings, and a friendly cat called Wolf, who can remain in residence if you’d like him to. Meanwhile Lewes is a hotbed of creativity, with its antiques quarter and brilliant independent shops for those last-minute Christmas gift ideas. And because The Pink House is the owners’ residence, it really is a home from home.
From £600 per night – sleeps 6 adults and a couple of kids, kiphideaways.com/hideaways/the-pink-house
BEST FOR A CHILD-CENTRIC CHRISTMAS
Blackberry Wood, Streat, near Hassocks
Christmas is all about the kids, right? Well, at Blackberry Wood both big and little kids’ dreams can come true with a host of quirky vehicles and treehouses to stay in. From a fire engine to a gypsy caravan, treehouses and even a helicopter, you can spend a night or two during the holidays making your kids wildest dreams come true. There’s even a glamping unit not for humans: the on-site Guinea Pig World homes a herd of rescued guinea pigs which the children can feed vegetables to if they wish. In terms of feeding the humans, you can pre-order a festive Christmas box so there will be a selection of local cheeses, crackers and chutneys, cured meats or pate, mince pies, panettone, luxury biscuits, chocolates, hot chocolate mix with marshmallows and mulled wine waiting in your quirky hideout for you.
Varying prices from £60 per night, blackberrywood.com
BEST FOR A COUPLE’S CHRISTMAS
Hidey-Hole Cabin, Downash Wood, Ticehurst
When it’s just the two of you, sometimes it’s nice to avoid all the festive family politics and hide away in the middle of nowhere. Hidey-Hole Cabin provides the perfect place to escape; enjoy morning coffee and the countryside views from bed, share a bottle of wine cosied up under blankets by the outdoor log burner on the terrace, and watch all those seasonal blockbusters on the huge projector screen, having popped some corn using the maker provided.
A two-night, mid-week stay in December starts from £330. Book via coolstays.com.
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