Elegant East Sussex boutique hotel

A charming country house hotel in the South Downs National Park, with gorgeous bedrooms and a top-notch restaurant – includes breakfast, cream tea for two and optional room upgrades.

• Colonial cool: Wingrove House was built in the 1860s in the classical colonial style. An elegant veranda peeps out over a manicured garden, while inside characterful oak floors are complemented by a country club vibe – the 16 bedrooms are all uniquely decorated, though soft neutrals, seagrass carpets and plantation shutters throughout nod to the building’s history.

• Wining and dining: The hotel’s restaurant is popular with locals and guests alike. Locally sourced ingredients feature highly on menus which change with the seasons and there’s a varied wine list plus eight different gins to sample. Breakfasts will set you up for a day of exploring, including a continental buffet followed by hot made-to-order favourites like a veggie full English with halloumi, and the afternoon teas are particularly impressive.

• Explore East Sussex: Wingrove House nestles on Alfriston’s pretty High Street, folded into the rolling Cuckmere Valley. The nearest National Trust property is a two-minute walk, and there are fantastic hikes and bike rides locally around the South Downs National Park. In good weather, park up in a wicker lounger on the lawn and soak up the sun.

How to get there

Alfriston is in a rural setting: the nearest station at Berwick is a five-minute drive, with trains to Brighton in about 30 minutes. There’s parking at the hotel and having a car means it’s easier to get out and explore.

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals.