Dog-Friendly Holidays East Sussex
Home to rolling hills, picture-perfect landscapes, family beaches and a number of historic towns, it's no surprise East Sussex is a popular pick when it comes to dog-friendly holidays. Whether you explore the coastal delights of Eastbourne, discover ancient history at Hastings, or indulge in the cultural wonders of Brighton, you and your four-legged friend are bound to have a fabulous time.
Rye, EnglandThis stunning Victorian mansion has been renovated in 2020 to an exceptionally high standard throughout. Large, social living areas with an open flow make Harbour Retreat the perfect escape for all your friends and family. It has been finished to a very high standard with a real touch of elegance and this luxurious, modern space is incredibly light and airy throughout. With many different aspects, this allows sunlight to pour into the property creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Soak up the sun in the private rear courtyard and enjoy a nice glass of wine in the evening or snuggle up in either of the two living rooms. Perfect for celebrating that special occasion or just getting everyone together, this detached holiday home is sure to create many happy memories and a fantastic stay.
Just a short walk away is the medieval and historic hilltop town of Rye. With its famous cobbled streets, lined with interesting historic buildings, an abundance of independent shops, restaurants and cafés, interesting art galleries and museums, as well as cosy and inviting pubs. Head to the harbour for quiet beaches, picturesque walks and coastal birdlife.
Rye is steeped in history and is well worth exploring, with a range of restaurants, bars, boutique shops and historical sites. Wander through the historic Landgate and along the cobbled streets to admire the House with Two Doors (filmed as part of the BBC Series ‘Mapp and Lucia’ and the infamous Mermaid Street). Take lunch at one of the lovely pubs serving food, followed by a visit to Rye Pottery for a creative afternoon. The glorious long sandy beaches and dunes of Camber Sands are also just 5 miles up the road. For wine enthusiasts, Chapel Down and Gusbourne Vineyards are well worth a visit where local wine can be sampled or enjoyed within the restaurant. Further afield are the interesting historic towns of Hastings and Battle. The Old Town in Hastings is a popular historic area with numerous traditional pubs with a vibrant music scene. A busy day of exploration can be rounded off with fish and chips on the seafront. Beach 2 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 50 yards.£572From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & book
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Battle, England
4.00The Challoners is nestled in the heart of the East Sussex Weald and redefines what to expect from a premium glamping holiday experience. As you enter through the gate, your two wood-clad cabins greet you unassumingly, but step inside and the lavish attention to detail can really be appreciated. The shepherd’s hut houses the bedroom which offers a sumptuous Hypnos double bed, while delicate finishing touches include softly painted cladding, ornate furnishings, and an antique electric stove heater. Through double sliding doors is a gorgeous en-suite bathroom with roll-top bath. In a separate lodge, just a couple of metres away, are your living quarters. Adorned with chic rustic style, this too is exclusively yours and features an open plan living space complete with large corner sofa and a selection of books, games, and puzzles. For ultimate comfort and convenience there is also a walk-in shower room here along with another washbasin and toilet in addition to those in the en-suite. Both cabins feature underfloor heating throughout for cosy winter evenings in this wonderful self-catering retreat.
Throw open the French doors to enjoy views over the Wealden countryside and your private garden with curved stone loveseat, a covered picnic table, BBQ, and a fire pit where you can gaze at the stars The garden is fully enclosed at this dog friendly accommodation near Bodiam and Battle, making it a perfect rural spot.
The Challoners is a place to enjoy some peace and quiet, so the owners have deliberately left out a TV - the perfect excuse to create your own intimate environment away from the outside world and take some time for you. You may come with good intentions to explore the area and find yourself not wanting to leave this haven all weekend! If you can pull yourself away there are 300 acres of foot and cycle paths to explore in the surrounding area, including access to the owners private 50 acres of woodland with one of the largest badger sets in Europe. A unique boutique countryside retreat for romantic short breaks and pure indulgent escapism.
The pretty village of Robertsbridge is just a mile away and offers a general store, local pub, and award-winning Indian restaurant. Both the local pubs are also dog friendly and the Salehurst Halt has a large dog-friendly garden. Bewl Water is 7 miles away and offers various water sports and the Bodiam Boating Station is 10 miles away which offers river cruises and boat hire for a more relaxed day out or kayaking for the more adventurous. You can also explore Bodiam Castle 3 miles away and a little further afield are Battle, the Cinque Ports town of Rye and the coastal town of Hastings. The area between Robertsbridge, Rye and Pevensey is called ‘1066 Country’ and boasts a host of tourist and leisure attractions, including Great Dixter, Bodiam Castle and Smallhythe Place. For those wanting to venture back to the time of steam trains, visit the Kent and East Sussex Railway and take a trip from Bodiam to Tenterden in one of the lovely old carriages. Visit the moated castle at Bodiam built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, only a 10-minute drive.£155From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Sedlescombe, England 5.00These two pretty, beamed, semi-detached holiday cottages, (refs 27442 and 27443) with mezzanine floor, have been attractively converted from former cow byres and are set in the owners’ 14-acre small holding which is home to farm animals including sheep and pigs. On-site is a small children’s play area. A 10-minute walk across the fields brings you into Sedlescombe with its village green and traditional country pub. In close proximity to Battle, with its famous battlefield and abbey, built to commemorate the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Relive one of the most famous days in history, and join the 1066 walk from the doorstep. Take a trip on the Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway from Tenterden, also known as ’The Jewel of the Weald’, through the Rother Levels to Bodiam, one of the most evocative moated castles (National Trust), built in 1385. Discover the one time coastal smuggling town of Hastings and medieval Cinque Port town of Rye with its cobbled streets. Picturesque sand dunes and interesting wildlife can be explored at Camber. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.
Properties 27442 and 27443 can be booked to together to accommodate up to 4 guests.£42From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Beddingham, England 4.00Built to a good standard, these adjoining holiday cottages in the owners’ grounds are situated in the tiny village of Beddingham, which lies in the South Downs just off the Lewes to Eastbourne road (which although convenient, can be busy). The view to one side of the cottage is that of Mount Caburn, which is one of the highest landmarks in East Sussex and is the home of an Iron Age fort! Both cottages have wheelchair access to the ground floor rooms. Lewes, 2½ miles, is dominated by the ruins of a great Norman castle and boasts twisting medieval streets and tiny twittens. The port of Newhaven lies on the land with the shortest sea route between London and Paris and Seaford is a quiet, informal holiday resort from where Seaford Head, The Seven Sisters Country Park, Beachy Head and the village of Alfriston can all be visited. Glyndebourne and the outdoor opera, 2 miles. Drusillas Zoo Park, Charleston - the home of the artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and rural bolt hole for the Bloomsbury group, Firle Place and Newhaven Fort are all a short drive. Eastbourne, 12 miles, Brighton 10 miles. Shop 1½ miles, pub 1 mile.£56From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Rye, England 5.00Follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth I and spend some time exploring the beautiful Cinque port market town of Rye. In 1573 she bestowed the title Rye Royale. Stay in this well thought out and stylish holiday cottage which is just a 6 minute walk from the centre of the town, with its large selection of pubs, restaurants and cafes. You could discover for yourself why many authors, musicians, artists and celebrities have chosen to settle here. Rye is one of the best preserved medieval towns in England, despite being the haunt of the notorious smugglers, The Hawkhurst Gang. Visit The Mermaid Inn, their famous hideout, where the cellars date back to 1156. Visit the Rye Museum and climb St Mary’s Tower for breathtaking views across to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve and Winchelsea. See Lamb House, the home of Henry James and later E. F. Benson, and where they filmed the recent production of ’Mapp and Lucia’. Another great film location is Camber Sands and going in the other direction towards Hastings where ’Foyles War’ was filmed. There are also connections by train to London. Shop 300 yards, pub and restaurant ½ mile.£47From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Battle, England 5.00Cowbeech Farm Cottage is situated in the beautiful grounds of the owner’s farmhouse on the edge of the village which bears the same name. Originally part of the old dairy and very much a working dairy farm back in the 1950s, it has its own enclosed garden off the original farmyard. The stunning farmhouse grounds have featured in the National Garden Scheme, and other magazines, and guests can stroll around the lake and marvel at the unusual Japanese garden. On the boundary of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within strolling distance of the local hostelry, which dates back to the early 1600s. A walkers and cyclists paradise, try the Cuckoo Trail, 19 miles of walkways and lanes that follows the old Cuckoo Line Railway from Heathfield to Eastbourne, and gained its name from the releasing of a cuckoo at the Heathfield Fair.
Michelham Priory, Herstmonceux Castle and its gardens, Drusillas Zoo and the Bluebell Railway are great days out, or spend a Saturday evening stargazing at Herstmonceux Science Observatory. Eastbourne with its beaches and pier is a 30-minute drive, and Battle is 8 miles with good rail connections to London. Should the weather be inclement, there is a leisure centre at Hailsham with flumes, inflatables and ten pin bowling. Beach 9 miles. Shop ¾ mile, pub and restaurant 175 yards.£66From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Brightling, England 5.00In the High Weald AONB and converted to a high standard, this attractive, single-storey barn is accessed via a track ¼ mile from the lane and lies quietly in 500 acres of Brightling Park (once known as The Rose Hill Estate) with sheep and horses on the farm. Brightling is famous for the many Fuller follies. Excellent walks on the doorstep. Visit Bateman’s (Kipling’s home) and Sarah Raven’s famous cutting garden at Perch Hill. Rye and Tunbridge Wells are 30 minutes by car, Brighton is 45 minutes. Mainline station to London is 5 minutes’ drive from Robertsbridge. Shop and pub 2 miles.
Coblye Barn (PJJR) and Ox Lodge Barn (PQQW), situated 1 mile apart, can be booked together to accommodate up to 7 guests.£74From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Sheffield Green, England 5.00These semi-detached holiday properties (refs 29887, 29895, 29896, and W43461) reside in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the glorious Sussex countryside and were once part of Vigoes Dairy Farm until the end of the 20th century. Set back from the road, each property has its own individual terrace with furniture, and to the rear of the buildings is a shared grassed area, beyond which is a paddock, an ideal place in which to let off steam, kick a ball around, or have a leisurely picnic. Spot deer, the occasional buzzard, or the very rare short-toed eagle! Walks and cycle routes beckon from the doorstep. See the beautiful Sheffield Park Gardens (National Trust) where, in the 1700s, Capability Brown was commissioned to landscape the gardens. A glorious feast of red and gold in the autumn and where the national collection of Ghent azaleas can be seen in their full glory in the spring alongside the bluebells. In 1876 the third Earl of Sheffield laid out a cricket pitch where the first ever match against Australia was played in 1884! The Bluebell Railway offers an opportunity to stroll amongst the locomotives in the engine sheds and perhaps spot ‘Stepney’ who appears in the Thomas the Tank Engine books, and of course, take a train journey. Stroll through the Ashdown Forest which covers approximately 10 square miles and in fact is not all forest but largely heathland, where cattle and sheep also freely graze for part of the year. It is also famous for the Winnie The Pooh Stories written by AA Milne who lived on the northern edge of the forest with his son Christopher Robin. Attend Glyndebourne, visit the county town of Lewes with its museum, antique shops, and brewery, or head to the coast at Brighton or Eastbourne across the South Downs. Horse riding is available locally. Good rail connections to London from Haywards Heath for further sightseeing opportunities. Shop 1 mile and pub/restaurant 1½ miles.£66From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Eastbourne, EnglandAlbany House is a stone’s throw away from the sea; a semi-detached property with a garden, decked area, BBQ and sitting-out area, sea views and free parking on the private driveway. The holiday home has two good-sized bedrooms with good sea views, and a sunroom where you can look over the garden and read a book. There is an open plan living/dining room, kitchen, separate toilet, utility/shower room and a family bathroom. The master bedroom has a king size bed, storage, and lots of natural light; the second bedroom has a zip and link twin bed which can be converted to a super king size. Albany House has plenty of space for two couples or a couple with children. There is a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with all the facilities they need, a great space for preparing a meal for the family. The downstairs shower room has a washing machine and additional fridge/freezer as well as a shower.
Situated in the coastal town of Seaford, where you will find fish and chips, restaurants, bars, cafés, and a shopping area. Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park is less than 15 miles away and the nearest airport is London Gatwick Airport. Brighton Pier is less than 15 miles, taking 30 minutes by car along the A259. Eastbourne Pier is just over ten miles away and takes approximately 25 minutes by car along the A259. There is a good bus route to both Brighton and Eastbourne. Seven Sisters national park is less than 10 miles away and there is a bus that takes you there. Great place for walking, cycling, wildlife spotting, kayaking and paddle boarding.
Drussillas Zoo park is within a 10-minute drive.
Cuckmere Valley has views of the Seven Sisters and has a flower-rich chalk grasslands, a haven for flowers and wildlife. A great spot for artists, bird watchers and photographers. Glyndebourne Opera House is only thirty minutes away where you can see some of the world’s best opera singers and operas. If you want to stay closer to home, Seaford seafront is 0.2 miles away and has free parking and in walking distance of the Seaford town. Beach 1 mile. Pub less than a mile. Local shops less than a mile.£71From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Battle, EnglandHayfield Haven is a beautiful pod with an uninterrupted view across the countryside visible throughout, whether you are relaxing on the sofa or waking up in the sumptuous double bed. Kitted out with everything you could need for your stay it is perfect for a romantic getaway or as a base for exploring everything that the local area has to offer. Lovingly furnished incorporating the local area, the owners want this to be a place of sanctuary for their guests. Exterior automatic lighting leads you down the path from the car parking space to the pod. With an outdoor seating area around the fire pit with barbecue griddle, the outdoors forms as much of a part of the pod as the interior. As you walk through the door the open plan design floods the interior with light and the glass wall to the front of the pod opens up the view from every angle. A comfortable living area boasts an l-shaped sofa bed which lifts up and out to create a second occasional double bed if required overlooking the Smart TV perfect for a cosy evening in watching a film. A round dining table fits perfectly in front of the view lovingly designed with the pods logo ‘The place where memories are made’. An open plan kitchen provides everything you may need to use during your stay including a fridge, cooker, two hob rings and microwave. An open plan bedroom area to the rear of the pod boasts a double bed.
Hillcroft Farm itself is a working arable farm with over 1000 acres of different crops which can be seen for miles. Looking over the 1066 countryside Hillcroft Farm pods are located just off of a main footpath/bridleway leading down into Coombe Valley Nature Reserve perfect for ramblers or cyclists with its cycle path. Looking south of the pods you can see the large lake in the distance whilst watching the sun rise and listening to the local wildlife. With little light pollution you can spend the evening sitting outside around the fire pit drinking hot chocolate and looking up at the stars. Crowhurst boasts a mainline railway station leading straight into London along with a local pub within walking distance. There is an abundance of public footpaths throughout the village great for walking and cycling. Slightly further afield the historic town of Battle only a ten minute drive away offers an abundance of local independent shops, cafés, bars and restaurants along with the home of the Battle of Hastings itself at English Heritage’s Battle Abbey. If you fancy a trip to the coast then Hastings and St Leonard’s are only a short drive away boasting shops, beaches, the pier, amusements, crazy golf and no trip to the seaside would be complete without the traditional ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops. Further afield East Sussex boasts an abundance of walks, gardens and castles including Scotney Castle, Bodiam Castle and Batemans, the home of Rudyard Kipling, to name just a few. The historic town of Rye, with its cobbled streets and range of independent shops and restaurants, and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve are also all within driving distance. Supermarket 7 minutes’ drive.
Hayfield Haven (ref UK40691) can be booked together with Lakeview Lodge (ref UK40692) to accommodate up to 7 guests.£94From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free