Number 10, Ditchling

About this property

In the heart of the picturesque village of Ditchling this listed self catering holiday cottage is great for up to four people

This Number 10 is not Downing Street, but rather in the centre of this delightful village just over the South Downs from Brighton! Ditchling is one of the picture book villages in Sussex and nestles at the foot of the Downs on the boundary between East and West Sussex.

Step in off the street, and you are in a sitting room with comfortable seating for four people. The large fireplace houses an electric fire in the style of a woodburning stove to give a cosy feel to the room. Beyond the sitting room lies the kitchen, which is well provided with all you need for home cooked meals, if you are not tempted by one of the local pubs or restaurants. The bathroom is also on the ground floor, and has a bath with shower controlled from the mixer tap.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms, each of which can be set with either single beds or zip linked to form double beds. The front bedroom has a super king sized bed when zipped together while the bedroom behind has a king sized bed when zipped. Please let us know what bed configuration you would like when you book.

Outside there is a small enclosed patio garden, perfect for alfresco eating, or perhaps to relax over a glass of wine at the end of a day out exploring the surrounding countryside.

Ditchling and beyond

Ditchling is at the foot of the South Downs, its heart forms a crossroads where the road running south to north meets the road running east to west. The crossroads links to other nearby villages of Keymer and Westmeston similarly located at the foot of the scarp slopes of the Downs. Heading south and Ditchling Beacon and the South Downs are just a short walk away.

Ditchling has remained unspoilt over the centuries and has many examples of period Tudor buildings. Wings Place is a fine Tudor building across the road from St Margarets church, once known as "Anne of Cleves House". The house looks particularly imposing when viewed from the church with the backdrop of the Downs immediately behind. It makes for a good photograph. The village has kept the period tradition well and tea rooms and the village deli fit so perfectly into these traditional village surroundings.

Ditchling Beacon is a short but testing climb should you choose to walk it or even cycle up! At 248 metres (814 feet) it is the third highest point along the South Downs and offers fantastic views both along the Downs and north across the Sussex Weald. The South Downs Way passes through the Beacon giving you the opportunity to walk both east and west along this national trail virtually from your doorstep.

Head south over Ditchling Beacon and the Downs gradually slope away towards Brighton. It is a vibrant city with much to offer. It is lively and bustling with a lot of culture and many say it is quite unique. One of its most famous landmarks is the Royal Pavilion the spectacular seaside palace of the Prince Regent, (George IV) and the Regency heritage of this period is much in evidence in the city. You can read about the Pavilion on our Places to visit pages for East Sussex.

Seven miles east, Lewes is the county town of East Sussex. Its castle overlooks the town and is open to visitors, as is the Barbican Museum opposite. In such an historic town there is much to see. Lewes is famous for its bonfire celebrations and each year these are attended by thousands of visitors. Visiting on the first Saturday of the month is recommended when a thriving Farmers' Market takes place with lots of delicious fare on offer.

Glyndebourne the world famous and world class opera house is a further three miles east from Lewes. Glyndebourne restarted and reinvigorated country house opera in England and today it offers unique presentations in the Sussex countryside attracting world leading performers. We provide a link into Glyndebourne under our “What’s On in Sussex” heading should you want more information.

Places to Visit

Lewes Castle

The Royal Pavilion

Jack and Jill Windmills

What's On

Brighton Festival — May

Glyndebourne — Summer season

Lewes Bonfire Societies — November

Local shop — 50 yards

Nearest supermarket — 1 mile Hassocks

Nearest restaurant — 50 yards

Local pub — 25 yards

Mainline rail service — 1 mile Hassocks, for services to Gatwick Airport, London Victoria, Brighton and South Coast

Gatwick Airport — 30 miles