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South Lodge

UK England South East England West Sussex Horsham

A sensational Sussex country house hotel.

Set amid rolling hills and farmland, South Lodge was once an idyllic country house built by Frederick Du Cane Godman, a Victorian collector and explorer. What began as a fairly modest dwelling, though, has today morphed into a huge estate with vast grounds comprising manicured lawns, big open fields and even a glassy lake. It’s a sensational, luxurious stay.

Many of the rooms here have direct access to outside space, be it a private patio or a door overlooking the terraced lawns beyond, and some are dog friendly too; in any case the rooms are lovely, with lots of amenities, and pooches are well looked after, with plenty of fuss from the staff, a bowl and bed in the room. Humans can find their pampering opportunities in the spa – a refreshingly modern space with a brilliant gym, a nail bar where you can sip English wine during your pedicure, and a heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool. The indoor pool is great for a swim, but the absolute highlight is one of the UK's only swimming ponds. Packed with reeds and aquatic plants that naturally filter the water, this part-natural, part-manmade pond is an unusual addition to the facilities. There’s sublime food in the two-AA rosette restaurant, The Camellia, and plant-focused Mediterranean cuisine in the spa’s own eatery, Botanica. All in all a terrific place to stay.