Three large and quirky holiday houses on a Sussex country estate.
The owners describe this expansive West Sussex estate as 'not your typical self-catering destination', and they are not kidding! Not only do they have three very comfortable, purpose-built large holiday houses to rent, they are an environmental enterprise too, dedicated to using local and reclaimed materials and encouraging local nature: the estate supports a small herd of rare breed sheep and has actively replanted rare native trees and encouraged barn owls and lapwings, teasels, dragonflies and butterflies and other species on estate. Principally, though, it's a great opportunity to enjoy a genuinely rural country retreat with family or friends, just an hour or so from London.
Purpose-built by local workers, each house is a great mixture of old and new, incorporating reclaimed railway timbers, clay roof tiles from a local cinema and heavy antique doors from all over the place – some local, others from India and China, Built around large, beamed central halls, the decor of each is quirky and original but matched with all the facilities you expect from luxury properties – fast wifi, bluetooth speakers, contemporary bathrooms, well-equipped kitchens and a welcome pack that includes all the basics and a bottle of fizz to toast your arrival. They also all have outside seating, a barbecue and firepit and an outside kitchen.
With lovely countryside views across to the South Downs, the House on Brooks itself can sleep up to 14 guests in four large bedrooms, each of which has at least one double bed and sometimes a couple of single beds too. The decor of each follows a theme, with canopied beds transported from Rajasthan, baths made out of boats, art nouveau carved nymphs and arts-and-crafts beams and carpentry.
The Mill House is similarly eccentric, with four equally large, multi-bedded bedrooms themed around everything from India to China, with pillars rescued from ancient temples, oriental carvings and laqueured four-posters; other rooms are devoted to Italy and the memory of the Mexican painter Frieda Kahlo. It enjoys a super-secluded location on the far side of the estate, close to multiple woodland walks and again with terrific views of the fields, woods, and the Downs beyond.
Finally there's the more centrally situated Timber Barn, which if anything is more of a party house, with a huge living room-cum-dining hall, a domed private bedroom and an enormous upstairs room that can sleep up to 11 people, 'Love Island' style in an assortment of beds.
As well as the houses, the estate has a renovated airstream caravan, plus a lovely little self-contained cottage next door, which can either be rented as or as separate properties or with the house next door. The caravan has room for four in two bedrooms and a private patio garden with seating, wifi and bluetooth speakers and a well-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher. The cottage is a cosy retreat for two, with in one double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a living area and kitchen and private patio.
As for things to do, you can stroll the estate to your heart's content, explore the next-door Waltham Brooks Nature Reserve or the nearby RSPB Reserve, and there are any number of country walks, many involving local pubs – around the nearby 'Brooks', up to the South Downs Way, a circular walk taking in nearby Pulborough, or along the river to the cosy Swan Inn just 15 minutes' away. The friendly owners love the estate and are keen to share all their favourite activities, Petworth is a delightful small town and you're also not far from the Sussex coast down at Worthing, Littlehampton or even West Wittering.
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