Dog-friendly Hotels South Downs

Enjoy this rural country cottage in the heart of Burpham village just two miles from Arundel it is a special retreat. Warre Cottage is the type of property you would imagine retiring to. Live in a beautiful cottage in a wonderful village setting and have the village pub nearby!

Set in most picturesque and private cottage gardens, this detached cottage is just two miles from Arundel and has an abundance of footpaths to the South Downs on the doorstep. From the gardens and upstairs windows there is the most glorious outlook and the garden beckons guests to relax and enjoy those lazy summer days. The cottage is bright and traditionally furnished and is a comfortable size for up to six guests. It has three upstairs bedrooms the master bedroom has a kingsize bed with an en-suite shower room. The second bedroom has a standard double bed and the third bedroom with a dual outlook, gives a fresh and bright feel and is fitted with twin beds, the family bathroom completes the property. The gardens here just encourage and welcome you outside and offer complete privacy. They are neatly maintained offering many areas to meander around and explore. There is a raised path which guests need to take care when using that really open up the views over the Sussex Downs.

There are many attractive period properties in the village and it’s a delight to wander through, including the Norman Church of St Mary’s where you can walk through the church grounds and the views quickly open out onto the Arun Valley and the South Downs. This area is ideal for walking and from the lower slopes of the Downs there are wonderful views to the coast and to the east and west. Arundel two miles away is a historic market town dominated by the symbolic castle that can be seen to the south of Burpham. It offers a plethora of craft and antique shops as well as restaurants and tea rooms. It’s a great place to visit and just enjoy the hospitality during any day of the week.

Arundel Castle is the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and is set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens. The castle has been seasonally open to visitors for nearly 200 years and is one of the great treasure houses of England and is home to priceless works of art in stunning rooms. Climbing the 131 steps to the Keep which dates from the 11th Century to take in the views over Arundel and The South Downs is definitely worth the effort. Beyond the castle grounds is Arundel Park which is clearly visible across the valley from the cottage. The River Arun winds its way around the town and is a magnet for wildlife. With more than 60 acres of ponds lakes and reed beds at Arundel Wetland Trust attracts some of the world’s most spectacular ducks geese and swans. The best way to enjoy the river is on a river cruise stopping off at the pub for a bite to eat or just some liquid refreshments.

Further afield Climping Beach and Littlehampton’s West Beach are only a short drive away. This is a beautiful unspoilt length of beach of Special Scientific Interest and at the eastern end beside the mouth of the River Arun is the West Beach. Goodwood and Fontwell racecourses are nearby along with the cathedral city of Chichester with its excellent Festival Theatre noted for not only the quality of productions but also the fact many world premieres are featured as well. If you fancy a day in the city, Arundel mainline station is on a direct route to London so why not mix the cosmopolitan capital with this great place to stay.

Converted from former farm buildings, these four holiday properties (two of which have been adapted for the disabled with shower chairs available), are in the Southdowns National Park. Properties 17320 and 17321 command fine views over the surrounding countryside. 17320 also has a worktop which has been lowered for wheelchair access to the sink in the kitchen. Situated in the grounds of the family farm (non-working), they are only 100 yards from the village of Compton with village shop and tea room with free wi-fi access. Enjoy peaceful walks along a bridle path leading to the South Downs Way, 2 miles designated as a National Park. The historic cathedral town of Chichester lies 10 miles away, with its cobbled streets adorned with tea rooms and restaurants, and the ornate cathedral. Scenic boat tours can be taken around the harbour. Goodwood and Fontwell races or polo at Cowdray are all within a short drive. Portsmouth, with shopping and leisure facilities, within easy reach. Hawking and falconry days can be arranged, prices on application and must be pre-booked direct with owner. Shop and pub 100 yards.

Situated at the end of a lane, Pepper Pot Cottage is the middle section of a Grade II listed building in a beautiful quiet area of the South Downs National Park. On the ground floor it has a good sized living room with an open fire, fully-equipped kitchen, a twin bedroom and a cloakroom with toilet. Upstairs are two good-sized bedrooms, one with a king-size bed, the other a twin, and a bathroom.
It has a south-facing garden with a patio, garden table and barbecue for eating out, and is approached by a path which follows through to a further property. There is a pub 70 yards away and a community tennis court and recreation ground in the village. Next to the cottage is a bridle path. Wonderful walks, cycling routes, welcoming pubs and lovely scenery are all around. The West Sussex Falconry, Uppark House (NT), the South Downs Way and a variety of golf courses are close by. Goodwood for horse and motor racing, Petworth, Midhurst, Cowdray Polo, Chichester with its cobbled streets and cathedral, and the beaches at Hayling Island and The Witterings are a short drive away. Portsmouth with HMS Victory, Gun Wharf Quay and day trips to the Isle of Wight are within easy reach. Jane Austen’s House at Chawton, the Watercress Steam Railway, Birdworld and Winchester make good day trips. Beach 15 miles. Shop, pub and tea room 70 yards.

This tastefully styled apartment makes an ideal retreat for couples or families. Steeped in history, it forms a wing of Gilbert White’s House which is a leading visitor attraction, and boasts 30 acres of beautifully landscaped, tranquil gardens and parkland, a shop, museum and café. Guests are invited to enjoy unlimited visits to the museum, which focuses on the lives and adventures of two members of the Oates Family, Captain Lawrence Oates and his uncle, Frank Oates, both pioneers and explorers of the natural world. The property has been restored (2018) and offers comfortable and welcoming accommodation set over three floors. Guests can access the grounds anytime, dogs are welcome if they are kept on a lead (during out of hours dogs can be off lead in our Ewell field).
Over 250 years ago, Selborne and its surrounding landscape inspired Gilbert White to write about his lifelong investigation of the natural world, producing his world-famous book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, published in 1789. His book was important in shaping our everyday view of the relations between humans and nature. He was always a keen gardener who became closely interested in the natural world around him, and grew a wide range of traditional and experimental fruit and vegetables. He was the first person in this area to grow potatoes and began recording methodically what he sowed and reaped, the weather, temperature and other details. This he went on to call his ‘Garden Kalendar’.
The house that Gilbert White’s family moved into when he was about 7 or 8 years old, would have been a two up, two down, but over subsequent years, lots of extensions and additions were made, creating the house you see today. Descriptions in White’s own correspondence were used to recreate the rooms as they used to be and they include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the college), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts. You can listen to a conversation Gilbert had with his sister-in-law in the old kitchen where you can learn more about his household and life in Selborne during Gilbert’s time.
Selborne also has a pottery, a pub and village shop and there is so much to discover in this popular part of Hampshire. The town of Alton is nearby, where there are plenty of restaurants and shops, as well as a mainline railway station, The Watercress Steam Railway and also Jane Austen’s House at nearby Chawton. Other places of interest to visit include Portsmouth with the Spinnaker Tower, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory, as well as waterside dining, designer shopping and ferry trips to the Isle of Wight. Also within easy driving distance are Winchester Cathedral, King Arthur’s Round Table, Southampton with its maritime history, The New Forest, historic Chichester with cathedral, festival theatre, Goodwood Racecourse, beaches at The Witterings or Hayling Island, Marwell Zoo, Paultons Park with Peppa Pig World and Birdworld. Golf, fishing, cycling, walking and horse riding are all to be found in the area. Beach 35 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Fairwind is a detached bungalow perched at the top of the cliffs, with a covered outdoor swimming pool in the rear garden. Uninterrupted sea views of the English Channel can be enjoyed from the garden or the comfort of the living room. The sleepy seaside town of Peacehaven offers stunning clifftop walks or a beach walk accessed via a ramp a couple of hundred yards from Fairwind. The Greenwich Meridian dividing east and west, runs through the town and there is a marker on the cliff top close to Fairwind where the 0 degree longitude line travels from the cliffs and out to sea. 6 miles to the east is buzzing Brighton where you can visit The Royal Pavilion, explore The Lanes or view the coastline from the British Airways i360 tower, named the most slender tower by the Guinness World Records in 2016. Enjoy a stroll along the pier or visit the oldest operating aquarium in the world with its original Victorian architecture. The port of Newhaven offers the opportunity to take a day trip to France or from the marina, a boat trip to explore the Seven Sisters Heritage Coast. The area also produces some excellent wines so don’t leave without taking a tour around a Sussex vineyard. Beach 150 yards. Shop 800 yards, pub and restaurant 300 yards.

Steyning Kilns is located on the site of five old lime kilns dating back to the early 1800s. It is a lovely detached property with the added benefit of air conditioning, located on the side of the South Downs, able to comfortably accommodate up to six guests. It provides a fantastic secluded location for couples, families, or small groups of cyclists or walkers to stay, when looking to explore the wider Sussex area. Outside there is a tap for bike and boot washing and an eating area with table and chairs for six, barbecue and fire pit (with free logs) for those cooler evenings. There is a large paddock area for recreation and some outdoor play equipment available for the children.

Steyning is a small, picturesque town, originally one of the most important places in the county during the middle ages, with its large and prosperous port. Now, it resides about 5 miles from the coast, up the River Adur from Shoreham-by-Sea. The centre of the village still has a large number of historic buildings, including many from the medieval and Tudor period.

Today you’ll find independent shops, an assortment of tea rooms and restaurants, pubs, a well-stocked supermarket and a local butcher all on the high street. The award winning Sussex Produce Company stocks high quality produce and some excellent ready meals, where you can shop for food seven days a week and until late in the evening. Also well worth a visit is the Steyning Bookshop and Cobblestone Walk - a unique shopping arcade, all based around a 16th-century tea house.

The property is ideally positioned on the side of the South Downs, bordering onto the National Park boundary, but only ½ a mile from the South Downs Way path, the Downslink Trail and Steyning High Street. It offers many miles of bridle and cycle paths, and footpaths to explore, with pretty rural villages and traditional country pubs to discover along its routes. You can visit the nearby Steyning Bowl, Chanctonbury Ring, with its stunning views, and the Iron Age hill fort at Cissbury Ring.

The cosmopolitan city of Brighton on the south coast lies roughly 12 miles south east, where you can take a tour around the Regency terraces, the Royal Pavilion, the trendy Lanes district and book your ticket for the British Airways i360 observation tower. The town of Worthing, with 2019’s ‘Pier of the Year’ is only 7 miles away.

Other must-see places within Sussex include Arundel with its famous castle, RSPB Pulborough, The Bluebell Steam Railway, Ashdown Forest or slightly further afield to the west, you’ll find the historic Chichester Cathedral and Goodwood and Fontwell races.

Outdoor pursuits are well catered for in the county, including horse riding on the Downs, and golf enthusiasts will find a variety of courses available locally, and hang gliding enthusiasts can visit The Flyers at nearby Devil`s Dyke on The Downs, 7 miles away. Beach 5 miles. Shops, pubs and restaurants ¾ mile.

Located just a short stroll from Arundel’s historic castle, Bridles Park Place can accommodate up to six guests across its three bedrooms. It is also dog friendly and features an impressive four poster bed in its master bedroom. Outside, to the rear of the cottage, there is a delightful garden which features a walled courtyard and garden furniture. Overlooking the stables at Arundel Riding Centre, this beautifully furnished, well-equipped, end-terrace holiday home offers a surprisingly spacious base in the in the stylish market town of Arundel. The town has an abundance of boutique, craft and gift shops, art galleries, tea rooms, gastro pubs, amazing independent restaurants and tiny delis selling delicious local produce.

This fantastic market town is located amongst some of the most beautiful rural countryside and is easily reached from London by car or by train. Arundel train station, connecting to London Victoria and Bognor Regis, is less than a mile away from the cottage. Goodwood Racecourse and Motor Circuit, which are the homes of the infamous Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and Glorious Goodwood, is located just over 10 miles from the property and well worth a visit. There are also plenty of outdoor activities nearby to keep you entertained, from horse riding across the road, canoeing on the River Arun, golfing and clay pigeon shooting, to lovely walks and cycling trails. Take a trip to the stunning Sussex coast, which is within easy reach, as is the beautiful South Downs National Park. Whether it’s for a short break or a longer stay, there’s plenty to keep you busy in this beautiful part of West Sussex. Beach 5 miles. Shop and restaurant ½ mile, pub ¼ mile.

The Studio is close to the town of Lewes just off the South Downs way at the top of a historic and well-maintained old racecourse. The building was once the home to six horses and has been converted to a very high standard. The Studio is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom New York loft style self-catering accommodation. It boasts spacious open plan living with high ceilings and quality fixtures and fittings throughout. The bedrooms, each equipped with comfortable beds, offer a quiet retreat from the main open-plan living area. The fully equipped kitchen area, complete with modern appliances and a dining area, allows guests to prepare their own meals and enjoy them in the comfort of their own space. Additional amenities include a living area with comfortable seating area and Flatscreen TV and well as a designated workspace with excellent connection to the internet. The two bathrooms are side by side and with external and internal access. There is an additional internal door to separate the two bathrooms. Perfect for small groups or families, this self-catering accommodation offer a unique and stylish alternative to traditional hotel rooms. There is a mezzanine terrace to sit and unwind while taking in the night sky or soaking up the sun during the day.
The Studio is located at the Old Racecourse, Lewes in the heart of the South Downs National Park. In May 2016 the South Downs National Park became part of the International Dark Sky Reserve. At night the star-studded skies are captivating and equally beautiful as the rolling landscape that surrounds you. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, culture, or history East Sussex has something for everyone. You could take a ramble across the South Downs and stop off at an inn and unwind before heading back. The area is steeped in history with a Norman castle, historic houses and the Glyndebourne opera house a short drive away. Climb to the top of Lewes castle for panoramic views across Sussex and after a picnic in the gardens visit the museum of Sussex Archaeology. Alternatively, have a browse around Lewes town where you will find lots of restaurants, independent boutiques, art galleries, pubs, and antique shops. Beach 9½ miles.