Country Cottages in Sussex

The beauty of Sussex as a county is that you could not get two landscapes so different and yet equally beautiful anywhere else in England. The Sussex countryside is the most wooded area of the UK, filled with ancient trees, winding routes and rich and varied wildlife, from which the pebbled beaches of the coastline could not be more different. Our portfolio of over 50 Sussex Country Cottages place you in some of the most rural, remote and picturesque locations that this magical region has to offer, so start browsing our country homes and begin planning that well-needed rural escape. 

The Sussex countryside is the ideal place for a romantic getaway for two and we have the properties to match. We have over 15 two-guest self-catering properties across the region, in stunning, secluded locations such as Beckley and Ashdown Forest. For a break to remember, take a look at our luxury holiday cottages, which come with a range of exclusive features including panoramic views, private gardens and cosy open fires. 

Our Sussex Country Cottages are also perfect for a family holiday and with the South Downs National Park, High Weald and hundreds of historic sites on your doorstep, what could be better for a family break in the great outdoors? Take a look at our range of family-friendly holiday lets, or even our dog-friendly cottages if you want to bring the whole family, to start planning your next big trip. 

Things to Do in the Sussex Countryside

The South Downs is Britain’s youngest national park, being granted the title in 2010. Many of our Sussex Country Cottages are within the park, or are within a short walking or driving distance of the area. The South Downs stretches from Hampshire to East Sussex and is most famous for its coastal paths and white chalk cliffs on the seafront, but the large area also encapsulates a great deal of the Sussex countryside. Our properties in Lewes and Alciston put you right in the centre of the South Downs. Naturally, walking is a great part of the South Downs experience and one of the park’s most popular trails just so happens to be in Lewes. The Housedean Farm to Southease walk near Lewes is an 8.5-mile trail that takes you across the Ouse and past the house that once belonged to Leonard and Virginia Woolf. Take the 28/29/29B bus out of Lewes to get to the starting point at Housedean Farm and return on the 123 bus from Southease Church. Travelling around the South Downs via bus is also made easy by the purchasing of a Discovery ticket, which allows you to travel around the national park for £9 a day, or £7.20 for under-15s. 

High Weald, to the East of the South Downs is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and covers a large part of Kent and East Sussex, including Rye, where we have a range of holiday cottages. The High Weald has a history dating back to the prehistoric era when the first hunter-gatherers settled there to hunt for local deer, pigs and birds. The area continued to be a source of food and shelter for hundreds of years and boomed during the medieval period when much of the land was converted into farmland. Nowadays, the High Weald is still home to many farms, but its history is well-preserved in its walkways, paths and clearings. Families with young children may want to visit Ashdown Forest in High Weald, as this is said to be the woods that inspired A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories. To go on ‘Pooh Walk’ and venture into ‘The Enchanted Place’, park at Gills Lap Car Park and walk 0.6 miles into the forest, where you will discover Pooh-themed delights such as Roo’s Sandpit and the Heffalump Trap, which are bound to set imaginations alight. 

It would be impossible to list all the beautiful places and walks that are available in the Sussex countryside, but just know that wherever you choose to stay, nature is on your doorstep. From Sedlescombe, to Beckley, to Battle and Rye, our Sussex Country Cottages put you right at the heart of the rural South.