HORSTED PLACE HOTEL A Victorian Gothic Masterpiece Our verdant South East has so much to offer the short break seeker, from fantastic glamping sites to splendid country houses. We try Horsted Place Hotel for our quick birthday break. By Tess de Klerk My partner, who has frequented many, many a hotel, spoke fondly of Horsted Place Hotel, set deep in the Sussex countryside. It clearly stood out in his mind after having stayed years before, therefore when the time came to book his UK birthday break, Horsted Place was first on my list. During normal times we would have flitted off to some exotic destination for a quick, sunny break, but I can say that the easy 30-minute drive from Brighton to our destination sure beat the
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rush to the airport, airport queues and flights we would typically have had to squeeze in during a short break! Add to that the great expectations of a red hot summer, as predicted by those certain weather scientists more inclined to rosy outooks than their dreary counterparts, and I find myself, both delightedly and a bit reluctantly, saying that maybe, just maybe, being restricted to UK breaks only isn’t quite the disaster my melodramatic inner voice had me believing!
The Manor
Arriving through a private wooded area with bluebells in full bloom, the dramatic Pugin manor impressively appears. With its mullioned windows, intricate redbrick facade and turrets, it takes you back to a time when no expense was spared to construct homes as everlasting art. We were at reception a tad early but were warmly welcomed and invited to have a drink in the drawing-room while our suite was being prepared. A bit peckish, we decided on an early afternoon tea which I am pleased to be able to say is also offered as a gluten-free option. During summer months Horsted Place’s acclaimed English afternoon tea is served outside on the immaculate lawn overlooking the East Sussex National golf course and Sussex Downs.
