Review from our guests re Historic Houses and Castles of Sussex (and open-air Shakespeare play)
What better way is there to relax after a day of sightseeing and antique hunting than with a chilled glass of Prosecco in the bubbling jacuzzi looking out over the Amberley Wildbrooks Nature Reserve? I challenge you to find one!
Three days at Spring Cottage is the perfect de-stressing rustic escape, knowing that your every need is catered for – a welcome hamper of local Sussex produce presented to you on arrival, comfortable sofa and armchairs to curl up on, large TV with lots of channels and Netflix, drench shower, roll top bath and complimentary dressing gowns, slippers and toiletries… This is certainly not Airbnb and it’s more personal and bespoke than a hotel. There’s even a daily cleaning service and a well-stocked, pay-as-you-use larder and bar, so you could quite easily stay at the cottage for the 3 days and have everything you need and never even venture outside! But, of course, you do, either independently or using the concierge or pick up/drop off service.
Our concierge, Nick, took us to Anne of Cleves House and Lewes Castle as well as allowing us free time to wander the antiques shops of Arundel and Petworth. He was friendly, knowledgeable and charming and nothing was too much trouble. We paid extra for a private chef to come in and cook us a 3 course meal on the Friday night, but there were many pubs and restaurants nearby that Nick recommended that serve good food.
Saturday night was the highlight as Nick picked us up and drove us to Arundel Castle for an open air performance of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. This was one of our included activities. Nick wasn’t merely our chauffeur, but also acted as host for the evening, serving us the food and wine from the complimentary picnic hamper, choosing good seats for us in the open air auditorium and giving us a synopsis of the story (Shakespeare is not our forte!).
The attention to detail at Spring Cottage is second to none – vases of fresh flowers, bottles of water in the bedrooms, local magazines to read, immaculate gardens. It’s a unique experience staying here and you leave feeling very special, having been looked after, pampered and spoilt.
Everyone needs a Rustic Escape more than once a year in their busy lives. We’re already planning our next trip!
Nigel Watson
Do contact Rustic Escapes for more information about this or any of our other escapes: info@rusticescapes.com or (+34) 664 07 40 89 | (+44) 7598 348195
All photos & videosused in this article belong to Rustic Escapes
