Hastingford Fishery

Active guests may want to strap on walking boots and head off on explores of the South Downs National Park, 25 minutes’ drive from base. It’s a top spot for hikes, bikes, rides and rambles, and is also an International Dark Sky Reserve for those who are keen enough on stargazing to opt for an after-dark visit. If the South Downs is too sprawling to appeal, make tracks instead for Ashdown Forest, the original Hundred Acre Wood (actually 500 acres), to wander the paths that inspired AA Milne to create Winnie the Pooh. Be sure to gather up lots of sticks along the way... one is never too old for a game of Pooh Sticks. There’s plenty of tamer nature within easy reach too, as gardens at Sheffield Park, Borde Hill, Nymans, Wakehurst and Herstmonceux Castle are all within 45 minutes of the site, and Leonardslee – with its Wallabies, dolls' house museum, afternoon tea, and wine, chocolate and cheese tastings – is under an hour away. When a more urban experience beckons, a 20-minute drive brings guests as far as Tunbridge Wells, where shopping in the Georgian Pantiles, digging around museums and taking a sip at Chalybeate Spring are highly recommended. It’s 30 minutes to visit the medieval castle, Museum of Sussex Archaeology and Anne of Cleves House in Lewes, Brighton is 25 miles away if seaside days appeal, and it’s just over an hour to London on the train from Crowborough, 10 minutes away.