Lordington House

Authentic English manor in stately-home grounds

Lordington House is an outstanding manor-house B&B just outside Chichester with three double guest bedrooms. Set on a gentle rise facing southeast over the Ems Valley, the property dates back to the early 17^th Century and is surrounded by lovingly tended grounds, especially radiant during spring and summer. It’s a wonderful place to arrive for a welcoming tea and cake.

Inside, this is a much-loved family home. A magnificent staircase leads up to the guest bedrooms. These are classically furnished with an eclectic mix of Georgian, Victorian, oriental and contemporary features and all have ensuite or private bathrooms. There are also further bedrooms if required, though some might entail sharing a bathroom. Beds – engagingly old-fashioned with proper bedspreads – are superbly comfortable: the atmosphere upstairs is peaceful and notably quiet.

Downstairs there’s more. There is a wood-panelled drawing room for B&B guests, with an open fire for cooler nights, where there are books to browse, board games to play and toys for any children – they’re welcome here. There’s also a music/television room, but the TV is rather upstaged by a Bechstein grand piano: this rather sets the tone for the timeless hospitality on offer.

Breakfast is served in the elegant dining room; special diets and allergies can always be catered for but a Lordington House breakfast is usually a generous affair: eggs come freshly laid by hens in the garden, ingredients locally sourced and served alongside a selection of home made preserves.

This sets you up for a day of exploration. The walled croquet lawn is lined with long mixed borders, the vegetable garden and orchard is busy with chickens and there are fine views on every side over the South Downs and farmland.

Lordington House B&B suggests

Take a walk. You’re actually in the South Downs National Park at Lordington House, so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to footpaths: one runs across the lawn and links to an endless network of bridleways and trails. It’s an easy walk up to Kingley Vale Nature Reserve, where you’ll find yew trees dating back to the Vikings, Bronze Age barrows and plenty of deer, all framed by stunning views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight.

Pricing

Prices are per room per night, based on two sharing, including breakfast

1 Super King (6') /Twin B&B Room (private) - £165

1 King Size (5') B&B Room (en suite) - £165

1 Double (4'6") B&B Room (private bathroom) - £160

1 Single (3') B&B Room (private bathroom) - £85

Child's floor futon - £25

Minimum stay, generally, is two nights. Single night supplement - £10

Meals

Breakfast only

Packed lunches - £8 - by arrangement

Location

Despite being just a few miles from major roads, Lordington House feels notably rural: a haven of peace cradled in the South Downs National Park. It's in no way remote. Chichester is a 15-minute drive: this is the county town of West Sussex and has a beautiful cathedral, theatres, galleries and restaurants. Lordington House's surroundings offer a wide range of activities. Beautiful countryside, sandy beaches, historic houses and family attractions surround this Wolsey Lodge. It is near Goodwood Racecourse and Moror Circuit, Portsmouth, with its historic dockyard, museums, ferries to the Isle of Wight and across the channel, are 20 minutes by car. There are several National Trust and other stately homes close by.

Reviews

We had a very pleasant and interesting stay at Lordington House. This historically beautiful home offers you a sense as to what it might have been like to live in the gentle English countryside 2 or 3 centuries ago in an elegant manor home. Yes, Lordington House is replete with modern day conveniences. Throughout the house are many intriguing artifacts, curiosities and artwork. The rooms are beautifully spacious. Mrs. Hamilton, our host, was most gracious and helpful. She arranged for us to eat dinner local pub in Stoughton. On our return from the pub, Mrs. Hamilton had set a warm and very appreciated fire in the coziness of the drawing room. What a great cap to a fascinating evening. Amazingly though we felt like we were somehow lost in the beautiful English and living in another era, we were only a few short miles to Chichester and major highways. Truly a one of a kind adventure worth experiencing and enjoying. Bleuemoon 2, Ottawa