Ditchling is one of Sussex’s prettiest villages; surrounded by a dramatic landscape of rolling Downland hills and patchwork fields below vast, open skies. This beautiful holiday cottage sits in its midst, with floral gardens, leafy views from every room, and a homely and spacious interior with three bedrooms to sleep five people in complete comfort. The peace and luxury of your surroundings will allow you and your party to fully recharge away from the hubbub of city life.
Ditchling is nestled into the South Downs National Park close to the neighbouring villages of Keymer and Hassocks and just 8-miles north from the City of Brighton & Hove. The historic County Town of Lewes is just 7-miles east and the coast is just 20-minutes away by car where you’ll find the pleasure beaches at Brighton or the quieter rock-pools and cafes of Rottingdean and Ovingdean.
Directly from Ditchling there are some beautiful countryside walks to be enjoyed with the South Downs Way clearly marked on any map. Scale the beacon to enjoy some of the most spectacular views over the county then walk over the ridge to the Jack & Jill Windmills before taking the gentle path down to the Jack & Jill pub for a hearty roast dinner.
For lovers of fine wine, look no further than Ridgeview Vineyard at Ditchling Common. From guided tours to relaxed wine tastings, or a bite to eat at The Rows and Vine, Ridgeview offers a journey of joyful discovery. Plan your visit to their breath-taking wine estate where their motto that ‘Life is for Celebrating’ truly comes alive.
Visit the nationally renowned Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft which is host to a lively programme of events and exhibitions held throughout the year. Likewise, The Turner Dumbrell workshops are home to many resident artists and craftspeople who open their doors during the Artists’ Open House Trail during the May Brighton Festival. Biannually, a fair has been held in the village since 1312, bringing the whole village together – both residents and visitors alike, to celebrate the rich traditions and keep the stories of Ditchling alive.
From Brighton you sweep into the village down the famous Ditchling Beacon Road with its twists and turns most recognised by those brave enough to take on the hill during the annual London to Brighton Bike Ride. Parking is free on North End or High Street or within the Health Centre Car-park opposite The Bull which has 30-plus spaces and is just four-minutes on foot from Kept Cottage. Hassocks Station is just 5-minutes in a cab for those without personal transport.
The Kept Cottage is a welcoming sight, set back from the road behind a pretty front garden awash with the scent of roses. The lawn offers the ideal spot to sit out in the evening sunshine due to its westerly aspect and it feels remarkably private. As its name suggests, the interior of the cottage is beautifully ‘kept’ and is far more spacious than its sweet exterior implies. A stylish and restful scheme has been used throughout, in keeping with the ‘country cottage’ feel and the sitting room is homely with soft furnishings which offer ample space to cosy up and play games in the evening or watch a moving or streaming service on the wall-mounted, flat screen Smart TV with access to Netflix and Amazon Prime. Complementary WiFi provided as standard.
Moving through to the dining room, a generous table awaits for serving sociable home-cooked meals and drinks which can spill outside to either the front or rear gardens during summer. An electric stove sits within the fireplace hearth, giving extra heat and atmosphere during wintery suppers and the kitchen is easily accessible.
If you’re cooking for family or friends, the kitchen is well-equipped with every appliance you could need to whip up a delicious meal to be paired with an English sparkling wine purchased from any one of the local vineyards. There is a good range of crockery, glassware, cutlery, cooking utensils and pans, plus tea, coffee (and a coffee pot) and milk will also be provided. Should you need anything in particular, or have any special dietary requirements, please ask and we will make every effort to accommodate. There is also a washing machine and a dishwasher for your convenience.
Blissfully quiet apart from birdsong in the trees and the odd bleating of a spring lamb in the nearby fields, the rear garden is a real sanctuary which doubles the entertaining space for the cottage during high season. There is a lush green lawn for children to play and a dining area to the rear, plus the southerly aspect ensures it is bathed in sunshine all day.
Upstairs, there are two comfortable double bedrooms dressed in quality linens and interesting artefacts and paintings adorning the walls. The third bedroom is a roomy single and all rooms have deep hybrid mattress with plump pillows and season appropriate duvets. Once again, it feels deceptively spacious and light up here. Tranquil, countryside views fill each room and there is plenty of clothes storage. Nearby, the bathroom is immaculate with a modern take on a cottage style. A double width, walk-in shower is in place to fully revive you after a long hike over the hills.
The village setting is ultimately peaceful, plus the house has secondary glazing to the front bedrooms, so whatever time you fall into bed, you can ensure a truly restful night’s sleep.
The owner has kindly put together a welcome book with details of several country walks from the cottage of varying distances to suit your energy levels and timescales, plus there are several books to hand providing wonderful insights to the history of the village and the surrounding areas which can be enjoyed at your leisure.
