South Lodge Hotel

Plush country house living near the South Downs

Luxury on a grand scale awaits at South Lodge in the scenic South Downs. Set in 93 acres of woodlands and gardens, this slickly run Sussex manor house boasts Michelin star dining.

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Know It All

Hit the spot
Near Horsham, in the scenic South Downs.

Come here for...
• Michelin star dining. • Walks in the wonderful grounds (wellies provided). • Soaking in the private outdoor hot tub of the Godman suite. • Golfing just five minutes away.

Amenities
Foodies can dine at the Pass restaurant – holder of a Michelin star – or the main Camellia dining room. There is a croquet lawn and tennis court, mountain bikes for hire and gardens awash with rhododendrons in springtime.

Good to know
Choose a south-facing room for the those prized South Downs views.

Bedtime...

Bedrooms
66 rooms and 19 suites

Special features
All rooms are styled for comfort with a pillow menu, satellite TV, hospitality tray and writing desk. A few also have a balcony or private garden. Deluxe and Exclusive Junior suites come with unique features ranging from jacuzzi baths (some with an Aqua TV) to lavish walk-in showers.

Pillow Talk:
We preferred bedrooms in the original manor to the plainer rooms in the new wings. Opt for one of the individually styled Master suites if budget allows. For a real push-the-boat-out stay, take the luxurious Godman suite complete with walk-in shower and body jets, views over the South Downs and private terrace with a decadent, four-person outdoor hot tub.

We also loved Borde Hill, with its own private terrace and spa bath, the Duchess of Portland, with its shades of plum and purple, and Lord Fairhaven, with its shimmering wall coverings and stylish fabrics.

Eat & Drink

Dining in:
Prepare for some dazzling gastronomic treats. The Pass Restaurant at South Lodge is an award-winning Michelin Star open-kitchen restaurant, which offers a tasting menu for up to 26 guests in a bold, contemporary setting, where guests sit on pistachio-coloured leather swivel chairs and watch the chefs in action.

Featured in the Good Food Guide’s Top 50 restaurants for 2011, The Pass offers a chef’s table style dining experience, with daring dishes such as crab cannelloni with smoked sweetcorn, or scallops with crushed chickpeas, lemon and liquorice purée. You can also take an optional wine flight with your meal.

Named after the flowers that flourish in the grounds, South Lodge’s Camellia restaurant offers classic fine dining majoring on British dishes using locally grown seasonal Sussex produce. Lined with original 19th century oak panelling, it looks out onto the gardens.

Breakfast:
Buffet breakfast is served until 10am, with a full English and other options cooked to order.

Room service:
Available morning and evening.

Activities

See & Do
You’re ideally placed here to see Arundel Castle, and the famous Sussex gardens of Borde Hill and Nymans. All the attractions of Brighton (including the Sea Life centre) are a short drive away and the Opera at Glyndebourne makes a brilliant option during summer months.

Head for the races at Goodwood, Hickstead or Fontwell, go kite surfing on a breezy day at Brighton or play tennis and croquet in the grounds. Mannings Heath Golf Club is just five minutes away.

Spa
There’s a small cardiovascular gym, and a range of wellness treatments can be arranged in your room.

Diary Dates
June
Join the world’s biggest garden motoring party at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with its heady mix of fast cars and stars.

May-August
Don your finery and pack a picnic for the world famous Glyndebourne Opera festival, near Lewes.

September
Revel in the glamour and allure of the golden era of motor racing at the Goodwood Revival – one of Europe's most high profile classic car meetings.