Escape to a tranquil retreat in the South Downs National Park at our charming cottage. Enjoy a peaceful night's sleep, watch an impressive array of stars on a clear evening, and relax in the secluded patio area perfect for drinks on a summer evening.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex
Situated in the shadow of the South Downs National Park on a small rural road with hardly any neighbours our charming cottage is a great place from which to explore the unspoiled open countryside and its many footpaths around us. The nearest street light is two miles away. Owls,deer and the occasional nightingale are the only sounds in the middle of the night The cottage is newly finished in 2021 and décor is fresh and modern with plenty of parking and a small decking area.
This is a quiet cottage . Rooms are light and spacious with a modern kitchen/dining room that provides for sociable cooking and dining (seats 4-6). and patio doors that open onto the garden. The reception room is separate, both with digital TV (so the kids can escape!) and good but limited wifi. No fibre cable out here . Efficient central heating means the house is warm in winter but its also well ventilated and cool in summer.There is an upstairs loo and bathroom with large shower downstairs. 2 bedrooms are available; one double- bedded and 2 singles and there is also a brand new double sofa bed in the lounge. The small patio is secluded, fully fenced, and child/pet friendly and great for drinks on a summer evening: count how many species of bird you can hear !. The darkness allows you to watch an impressive array stars on a clear evening and the quiet off street location means a peaceful night's sleep is guaranteed. We are near a rail line but trains are infrequent and soon pass by .Please note we have a cat and small dog so any pets must be under your control outside. Dogs by agreement only.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: WiFi
Parking and transport
Car required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Entertainment
Games
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
Up to 25 kg per pet
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Note from host: Outdoors only
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near a hospital
Near a zoo
Near the sea
Things to do
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
No late night loud music please. We live next door
Please wash up your own cups pans etc.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 25 kg per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Dogs must be kept downstairs, and towelled dry
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
We live next door so we appreciate peace
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Outdoors only
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: We live next door so we appreciate peace
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
Frequently asked questions
Is Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex located?
Situated by the sea, this cottage is 2.5 mi (4 km) from Plumpton Racecourse and within 6 miles (10 km) of Lewes Castle and Barbican House Museum. Southover Grange Gardens and South Downs National Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We had an excellent family holiday here! The cottage was cosy and well equipped for us and our 3 kids. Eugene was very welcoming and gave us lots of good recommendations for the local area. We'd definitely stay here again.
Great cottage, very well kept, clean, lots of useful things to make the stay work well (basic kitchen items, toilet roll etc). Beautiful countryside location perfect for our family and our dog!
We stayed to extend our trip to Glyndebourne with some short walks. The cottage is perfect for this, it was great to have a short journey after Parsifal. We had a very good meal at The Jolly Sportsman, followed by a stroll along local paths and lanes.The cottage facilities are great, our only reservation the limited height to the eaves upstairs.
Neville H.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Elizabeth
23 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Lovely !! Place was nice and clean and surroundings were beautiful. Very comfortable and had everything that we needed. Host were lovely and checked in with us a few times to make sure we had all we needed and offer great local advise on places to go for views and food . This was the ideal place to rest and recover from a charity bike ride we attended
My husband and I revisited Eugene - this time we extended our stay to 2 weeks.
The cottage was again very clean, well equipped with a comfy bed and Eugene was again very helpful with good tips for day trips.
Looking forward to coming back and highly recommend the cottage also for families with small kids. Our 9 month old daughter also enjoyed it very much.
Ideal location for Lewes. Used as a base was perfect for us. Spacious, clean and comfortable. We all slept very well in very comfortable beds- trains start quite early but not loud.
Would definitely recommend.
Great location for attending wedding at Beechwood hall. Directions accurate and easy to find. Eugene welcoming and helpful. Accommodation spotless and comfortable, maybe not the best option if have mobility issues but perfect for my requirements.
Spacious areas downstairs,plenty of room in all areas, dining, sitting and bathroom.Theres an outside area leading from the sitting room with table and chairs for enjoying breakfast while srenaded by birdsong
Warm, cosy and peaceful. Everything we needed. There is a railway line by the property but it didn't spoil the peace. The spring dawn chorus was wondrous. Apparently nightingales sing here too, but is was too early for them. Plenty of places to eat in the area, and not far from the coast. Great place to stay.
Nice, clean and comfortable property. Every that you need is supplied. Mobile & WIFI can be a bit patchy due to rural location but not an issue for us. Local area was not good for dog walking due to the wet conditions over last few months and did not want to bring back a mucky dog. Nearby Lewes was a good town with choice of shops, cafes, pubs & restaurants. Nearby ‘Rainbow’ pub do an excellent Sunday carvery. Close proximity of railway line did not bother us as we are early risers in the morning.
Directions to property were easy to follow. Eugene made himself known to.us ensuring we had everything we required. House was beautifully presented and spotlessly clean. My 6 ft 4 sons found the low bedroom ceilings challenging. However we were aware of this before we rented the property. Would not hesitate to recommend for a peaceful retreat. Beautiful sussex countryside.
A garage which has been converted to a two bedroom house…watch your head on sloping roof. Very comfortable with lounge and dining area and all the facilities you might require. Next to the railway line but do not be put off by this as not that many trains and the property is well insulated for noise. Eugene the owner greeted us warmly when we arrived. Only one minor comment the beside lamps are not bright enough to read by. My first experience of an air b and b encourages me to try others.
David P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Michael T.
26 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Rural and quirky.
First impressions upon arrival were very good. The accommodation was easy to gain access to, extremely well equipped and had adequate space for our party of 3 adults. Eugene, the host, greeted me while emptying the car and recommended a few things to do in the area, which were gratefully received.
We knew there was a railway very nearby, which, being light sleepers, concerned us. However, we had been reassured by the description of the property; “a quiet cottage”, “a peaceful night’s sleep is guaranteed” and “trains are infrequent”.
Unfortunately, we didn’t find this to be the case. During our 3 night weekend stay, trains were speeding past every 20 minutes on average, from as early as 5:25am and as late as 11:25pm. Plus, there is frequent passenger aircraft noise, probably due to the proximity of Gatwick.
Ear plugs weren’t even enough to secure a full night of undisturbed sleep.
On a plus side, we visited some beautiful places in the East Sussex countryside and coastline. The views from Ditchling Beacon (recommended by Eugene) were fabulous!
Directions from host were spot on.
We were attending an opera at Glyndebourne and the location of the property was about a 20 minute drive away.
Property was easy to access and remarkably clean, with a well-equipped open plan kitchen and dining area.
Living room was ideally set up and comfortable.
The upstairs bedrooms comprised one double bedroom and another bedroom with one twin room. The beds were incredibly comfortable.
Only a few minor points that do need mentioning:
1) There is only a toilet upstairs,
2) The beds are quite small. If you are a tall person, it might only be suitable for a few days.
3) The upstairs has sloping rooves on the landing and in the bedrooms. Again, if you ars tall you will have to stoop to avoid hitting your head. We had to upstairs and it has caused a few back problems since coming home.
4) There are a lot of stairs in the property, between rooms, and it is not ideal for those with mobility issues.
These are not major criticisms and should not preclude you from staying here. These points are only intended to make future guests aware of the layout of the property to avoid any surprises.
As an overall holiday let, I would give it 4 out of 5
We had a really lovely, relaxing stay in this delightful cottage. Eugene was very friendly and helpful, made us both very welcome. Such a fantastic part of the UK. We gad a great time.
Lovely property and location and Eugene was very friendly and helpful. The only issue for us was a lack of outdoor space, which during the summer months would be a disadvantage. We visited in April, so it wasn't too problematic.
We had a wonderful time staying in Sussex: it was a quick and easy taxi for an excellent wine pairing at Bolney and we also enjoyed the local Indian takeaway and a walk up to Ditchling Beacon. This is a beautiful area and we found Eugene's place easy to find and very convenient for exploring the area. The cottage itself was perfect for 4-5 girls for a chilled weekend. The kitchen was well-equipped, the beds comfortable, the house warm, and there was also a TV and games for nights in. Eugene was very helpful and friendly - fixed a problem we had with a tap super promptly - and I would definitely recommend this cottage.
Caroline T.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Monica Beishuizen
7 Jan 2019
Nice house in a beautiful surrounding
The house was large with nice furniture, upstairs the roof was on a steep angle, so you can’t walk upstraight. When you arrive and read the book with instructions there was a list with a lot of do’s en mostly dont’s. It was a bit overwhelming and it does not feel welcome.Wifi is limited. We were not satisfied about the cleaning of the house. You can hardly hear the trains. But in total it was a nice stay.
Hübsches, kleines Häuschen in der Nature.
Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Ansich in guter Lage. Mit dem Auto leicht zu erreichen. Der nächste Bahnhof ist mit dem Auto 5 min weg. Einkaufsmöglichkeiten ca.10 min.
Wir empfehlen es gerne weiter.