The Hayloft, Lewes

About this property

The Hayloft is located within the grounds of the owners’ home whose land borders the Bevern Stream before it meets the River Ouse providing fishing rights for those who hold a license. The property is just a short drive north from the East Sussex county town of Lewes. Next door there is an equestrian centre where guests can enjoy riding both locally and for the more experienced a little further south towards the South Downs. The centre also offers stabling facilities.

The Hayloft is comprehensively equipped offering very comfortable accommodation for four people. It centres around this wonderful central living space and focussed around a woodburning stove. The main bedroom is on the ground floor and is fitted with a king sized bed. Upstairs there is a mezzanine bedroom area that is accessed from the spiral staircase where you will find twin beds. The staircase is quite tight so you need to be aware of this and because of the staircase we suggest the Hayloft is not suitable where there are children under six years of age.

A fully equipped and modern bathroom fitted with a spacious shower bath is also on the ground floor as well of course a very modern and functional kitchen. Outside there is a private garden space accessed by double doors from the main living room. The garden area faces west and is part shielded by trees offering areas of dappled sunlight in the afternoon and evening.

South Chailey and beyond

South Chailey falls just outside the boundary of the South Down National Park. The village is only four miles to the north of the historic market town of Lewes one of two towns that come within the park boundary.

Lewes is a fantastic place to visit — full of cafes, restaurants and bars. The River Ouse flows through the town dividing it into two areas between Cliffe High Street presented in beautiful period style with its gateway, a paved bridge, crossing the river and the main High Street that heads up the hill.

Lewes is the county town of East Sussex. The castle at the top of the town is open to visitors as is the Barbican Museum opposite. It offers a peaceful area immediately off the High Street. In the town’s Southover district is Anne of Cleves House which is also open to the public. It was left by Henry viii as a settlement in their divorce.

The town has Harvey’s Brewery central to the town. Built in the 18th century it still produces fine ales. There is a shop and restaurant close by with many pubs owned by the brewery in the near vicinity.

Visiting Lewes on the first Saturday of the month is recommended when the thriving Farmers’ Market comes to town with lots of delicious fare on offer!

The world famous opera house at Glyndebourne is five miles away so the cottage makes a perfect base to enjoy the prestigious Glyndebourne Festival.

Of course, immediately on the doorstep are the South Downs. The South Downs Way passes to the west of Lewes so the path can be easily reached from the Hayloft and makes for excellent walking either to the east towards Alfriston or west towards Ditchling and Ditchling Beacon. The road west along the Downs through Plumpton towards Ditchling is also particularly picturesque as it winds along the foot of the scarp slope of the Downs northern edge. Travel a little further west from Ditchling to the Jack and Jill Windmills atop the Downs at Clayton and the views over the Sussex Weald are particularly impressive. You can read about the Jack and Jill Windmills on our West Sussex Places to visit pages.

Heading north from South Chailey, Sheffield Park Gardens and the Bluebell Railway are within a ten minute drive. The gardens provide a wonderful display of colour throughout the year and it is one of the National Trust’s leading visitor attractions in the south east together with Wakehurst Place and Nymans Gardens both of which are within the vicinity and worth seeing.

Places to Visit

The Bluebell RailwaySheffield Park GardensLewes Castle

What's On

Lewes Bonfire Societies — November

Nearest supermarket — 4 miles Lewes

Nearest restaurant — 1 mile Cooksbridge

Local pub — 0.5 miles South Chailey

Local bus service to Lewes and Uckfield

Mainline rail service Cooksbridge or Lewes for services to Gatwick Airport and London Victoria

Gatwick Airport — 40 miles