Situated in the shadow of the South Downs National Park on a small rural road with hardly any neighbours our charming cottage is a great place from which to explore the unspoiled open countryside and its many footpaths around us. The nearest street light is two miles away. Owls,deer and the occasional nightingale are the only sounds in the middle of the night The cottage is newly finished in 2021 and décor is fresh and modern with plenty of parking and a small decking area.
This is a quiet cottage . Rooms are light and spacious with a modern kitchen/dining room that provides for sociable cooking and dining (seats 4-6). and patio doors that open onto the garden. The reception room is separate, both with digital TV (so the kids can escape!) and good but limited wifi. No fibre cable out here . Efficient central heating means the house is warm in winter but its also well ventilated and cool in summer.There is an upstairs loo and bathroom with large shower downstairs. 2 bedrooms are available; one double- bedded and 2 singles and there is also a brand new double sofa bed in the lounge. The small patio is secluded, fully fenced, and child/pet friendly and great for drinks on a summer evening: count how many species of bird you can hear !. The darkness allows you to watch an impressive array stars on a clear evening and the quiet off street location means a peaceful night's sleep is guaranteed. We are near a rail line but trains are infrequent and soon pass by .Please note we have a cat and small dog so any pets must be under your control outside. Dogs by agreement only.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Barley cottage ,(granarycottages) in an old converted barn Chiddingly,lewes
Chiddingly , Lewes
Barley cottage ,(granarycottages) in an old converted barn Chiddingly,lewes
Pets allowed: dogs less than 25 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Dogs must be kept downstairs, and towelled dry
default
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Outdoors only
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No late night loud music please. We live next door
Please wash up your own cups pans etc.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: We live next door so we appreciate peace
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
About the area
Lewes
Located in Lewes, this cottage is in a rural area and by the sea. While the natural beauty of South Downs National Park and Brighton Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Brighton Marina.
Brighton Pier and Cliffe High Street are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby fishing, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.
Hamsey Island Plague Church - 8 min drive - 6.3 km
Cliffe High Street - 8 min drive - 8.1 km
Getting around
Lewes Cooksbridge Station - 2 min drive
Gatwick Airport (LGW) - 50 min drive
Restaurants
The Brewers Arms - 8 min drive
The Black Horse - 6 min drive
ASK Italian - 8 min drive
Costa Coffee - 8 min drive
Caffè Nero - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex?
As of 14 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex on 16 Apr, 2026 start from S$206, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Rural Retreat in deepest Sussex located?
Situated by the sea, this cottage is 2.5 mi (4 km) from Plumpton Racecourse and within 6 miles (10 km) of Lewes Castle and Barbican House Museum. Southover Grange Gardens and Cliffe High Street are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had an excellent family holiday here! The cottage was cosy and well equipped for us and our 3 kids. Eugene was very welcoming and gave us lots of good recommendations for the local area. We'd definitely stay here again.
Great cottage, very well kept, clean, lots of useful things to make the stay work well (basic kitchen items, toilet roll etc). Beautiful countryside location perfect for our family and our dog!
We stayed to extend our trip to Glyndebourne with some short walks. The cottage is perfect for this, it was great to have a short journey after Parsifal. We had a very good meal at The Jolly Sportsman, followed by a stroll along local paths and lanes.The cottage facilities are great, our only reservation the limited height to the eaves upstairs.
We had a really lovely, relaxing stay in this delightful cottage. Eugene was very friendly and helpful, made us both very welcome. Such a fantastic part of the UK. We gad a great time.
David P.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Elizabeth
23 Sept, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Lovely !! Place was nice and clean and surroundings were beautiful. Very comfortable and had everything that we needed. Host were lovely and checked in with us a few times to make sure we had all we needed and offer great local advise on places to go for views and food . This was the ideal place to rest and recover from a charity bike ride we attended
My husband and I revisited Eugene - this time we extended our stay to 2 weeks.
The cottage was again very clean, well equipped with a comfy bed and Eugene was again very helpful with good tips for day trips.
Looking forward to coming back and highly recommend the cottage also for families with small kids. Our 9 month old daughter also enjoyed it very much.
Ideal location for Lewes. Used as a base was perfect for us. Spacious, clean and comfortable. We all slept very well in very comfortable beds- trains start quite early but not loud.
Would definitely recommend.
Kim U.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Aug, 2024
Thank you Kim. The house was left in very good condition. I hope you got some good walking done. You are welcome back any time.
Lovely property and location and Eugene was very friendly and helpful. The only issue for us was a lack of outdoor space, which during the summer months would be a disadvantage. We visited in April, so it wasn't too problematic.
Great location for attending wedding at Beechwood hall. Directions accurate and easy to find. Eugene welcoming and helpful. Accommodation spotless and comfortable, maybe not the best option if have mobility issues but perfect for my requirements.
Spacious areas downstairs,plenty of room in all areas, dining, sitting and bathroom.Theres an outside area leading from the sitting room with table and chairs for enjoying breakfast while srenaded by birdsong
Warm, cosy and peaceful. Everything we needed. There is a railway line by the property but it didn't spoil the peace. The spring dawn chorus was wondrous. Apparently nightingales sing here too, but is was too early for them. Plenty of places to eat in the area, and not far from the coast. Great place to stay.
Nice, clean and comfortable property. Every that you need is supplied. Mobile & WIFI can be a bit patchy due to rural location but not an issue for us. Local area was not good for dog walking due to the wet conditions over last few months and did not want to bring back a mucky dog. Nearby Lewes was a good town with choice of shops, cafes, pubs & restaurants. Nearby ‘Rainbow’ pub do an excellent Sunday carvery. Close proximity of railway line did not bother us as we are early risers in the morning.
We had a wonderful time staying in Sussex: it was a quick and easy taxi for an excellent wine pairing at Bolney and we also enjoyed the local Indian takeaway and a walk up to Ditchling Beacon. This is a beautiful area and we found Eugene's place easy to find and very convenient for exploring the area. The cottage itself was perfect for 4-5 girls for a chilled weekend. The kitchen was well-equipped, the beds comfortable, the house warm, and there was also a TV and games for nights in. Eugene was very helpful and friendly - fixed a problem we had with a tap super promptly - and I would definitely recommend this cottage.
Directions to property were easy to follow. Eugene made himself known to.us ensuring we had everything we required. House was beautifully presented and spotlessly clean. My 6 ft 4 sons found the low bedroom ceilings challenging. However we were aware of this before we rented the property. Would not hesitate to recommend for a peaceful retreat. Beautiful sussex countryside.
A garage which has been converted to a two bedroom house…watch your head on sloping roof. Very comfortable with lounge and dining area and all the facilities you might require. Next to the railway line but do not be put off by this as not that many trains and the property is well insulated for noise. Eugene the owner greeted us warmly when we arrived. Only one minor comment the beside lamps are not bright enough to read by. My first experience of an air b and b encourages me to try others.
David P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Monica Beishuizen
7 Jan, 2019
Nice house in a beautiful surrounding
The house was large with nice furniture, upstairs the roof was on a steep angle, so you can’t walk upstraight. When you arrive and read the book with instructions there was a list with a lot of do’s en mostly dont’s. It was a bit overwhelming and it does not feel welcome.Wifi is limited. We were not satisfied about the cleaning of the house. You can hardly hear the trains. But in total it was a nice stay.
Monica Beishuizen
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar, 2020
I am glad the guest enjoyed their stay. I am sorry the guest found the two hours cleaning done before their arrival was not up to their standard.
Interestingly my cleaner had to spend an hour more cleaning up after they left than for any other guest we have ever had.such was the mess. That we found amusing.
Also I am sorry they found our list of house considerations onerous. It is done to prevent things like the huge scratches they left in the surface of the induction hob. Lucky they didn’t get a replacement bill.
Never mind I am sure they’re lovely people really.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Michael T.
26 Aug, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Rural and quirky.
First impressions upon arrival were very good. The accommodation was easy to gain access to, extremely well equipped and had adequate space for our party of 3 adults. Eugene, the host, greeted me while emptying the car and recommended a few things to do in the area, which were gratefully received.
We knew there was a railway very nearby, which, being light sleepers, concerned us. However, we had been reassured by the description of the property; “a quiet cottage”, “a peaceful night’s sleep is guaranteed” and “trains are infrequent”.
Unfortunately, we didn’t find this to be the case. During our 3 night weekend stay, trains were speeding past every 20 minutes on average, from as early as 5:25am and as late as 11:25pm. Plus, there is frequent passenger aircraft noise, probably due to the proximity of Gatwick.
Ear plugs weren’t even enough to secure a full night of undisturbed sleep.
On a plus side, we visited some beautiful places in the East Sussex countryside and coastline. The views from Ditchling Beacon (recommended by Eugene) were fabulous!
Michael T.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2024
Trains not every 20 minutes maybe twice an hour sometimes less.
Everyone is different. No other guests have complained about train noise but each to their own.
Gatwick is 30 miles plus away so if a plane at 10thousand feet - occasionally when they come this route/ then I guess a noisy owl is going to be a problem too😊
Directions from host were spot on.
We were attending an opera at Glyndebourne and the location of the property was about a 20 minute drive away.
Property was easy to access and remarkably clean, with a well-equipped open plan kitchen and dining area.
Living room was ideally set up and comfortable.
The upstairs bedrooms comprised one double bedroom and another bedroom with one twin room. The beds were incredibly comfortable.
Only a few minor points that do need mentioning:
1) There is only a toilet upstairs,
2) The beds are quite small. If you are a tall person, it might only be suitable for a few days.
3) The upstairs has sloping rooves on the landing and in the bedrooms. Again, if you ars tall you will have to stoop to avoid hitting your head. We had to upstairs and it has caused a few back problems since coming home.
4) There are a lot of stairs in the property, between rooms, and it is not ideal for those with mobility issues.
These are not major criticisms and should not preclude you from staying here. These points are only intended to make future guests aware of the layout of the property to avoid any surprises.
As an overall holiday let, I would give it 4 out of 5
Fiona O.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Jul, 2024
Thank you for your review.
A few responses. We do not market it for people with mobility issues so it’s not relevant that there are two steps up and down from the dining room. I am surprised that the guest was surprised at the sloping ceilings upstairs. They are clearly visible on the large number of photos on the site. As to the beds being small, well the double is a standard queen size and the singles 90 x 130 which is large. The guests may have been very tall or big people whose requirements are different to others. But thank you it’s an old house with its nooks and crannies. Your views are noted.