Huckles Cottage, Slinfold

About this property

Perfect for a walking or cycling holiday with direct and easy access to the Sussex Downslink path

This is a wonderful ground floor cottage, step inside and it immediately feels that it has always been home. There are comfortable sofas on which to relax and many books to read, it feels welcoming and inviting creating that perfect start to your stay.

Huckles Cottage is in the grounds of the owner’s seven acre home. It is a peaceful setting with horses grazing in the surrounding paddocks and immediate access onto the Downslink, the long distance path which links the North and South Downs directly behind the cottage. This is the heart of the Sussex Weald with rolling countryside providing perfect walking and cycling right on the doorstep.

This cottage sleeps two in beautifully presented accommodation that is spacious and light. It features a candle chandelier central to the living area and table lamps to give that warm cosy evening glow. The kitchen is fully equipped for two people to enjoy a short stay, and the cottage has a separate shower room to the bedroom.

Outside, the paddocks and surrounding woodland offer total privacy. The cottage enjoys its own private garden area, and the outdoor tables and chairs capture the sun throughout the day. If you like horses you will enjoy the restfulness that their presence brings.

Slinfold and beyond

Huckles Cottage benefits from being right beside the Downslink path. This is in fact the old railway lines that linked Guildford with Shoreham-by-Sea, which meet in the middle at nearby Christs Hospital. Today it provides excellent walking and cycling along level ground. To the north west the Downslink soon passes through a wonderful tree lined avenue along raised embankments en route to Rudgwick, while south east a cycle ride towards West Grinstead and Henfield and the draw of the South Downs is easily achievable.

The cottage is only two miles from Horsham, a traditional Sussex market town that retains much of its history to this day. The Causeway, a beautiful and calm tree-lined street of medieval houses, is the jewel in Horsham's crown. It links St Mary's with the Carfax, which is at the very heart of the town – once a village green but now a meeting place with open air cafes, bandstand music and street markets. The Saturday market features a large variety of stalls across the town and is worth calling in to see.

To the east of Horsham is St Leonard's Forest which is the most westerly remaining of the large forests which once formed a continuous tract across the central Wealden ridge of Sussex. Iron smelting was carried out in the Weald, and Sussex had the ingredients required – Ponds known as hammer ponds that were instrumental in the process of iron smelting, the water driving the hammers and bellows can be found at nearby Bucks Head and Mannings Heath. Today they appear as picturesque lakes within a wooded setting, while the forest is now a patchwork of woodlands and heath, covering 12 square miles affording many excellent walking opportunities.

Huckles Cottage is also well placed for National Trust properties, with Petworth House and Nymans House and Gardens being comfortably within a half hours drive. The small market town of Petworth is also worth spending time in, featuring antique shops and coffee houses interspersed with traditional homes many within courtyard settings.

A short distance north west towards the Surrey borders the Wey Arun Canal at Loxwood offers trips on a restored narrowboat . It takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside before linking up with the River Arun further south. The boats leave from beside the Onslow Arms, so have lunch first and then enjoy the ride! We feature a link to the Wey Arun Canal under “Places to visit” on our homepage.

Places to Visit

Petworth House and Park

Warnham Nature Reserve

The Wey and Arun Canal

Local shop — 1 mile Broadbridge Heath

Nearest supermarket — 1 mile Broadbridge Heath

Nearest restaurant — 2 miles Horsham

Local pub — 1 mile Slinfold

Mainline rail service — Horsham for services to Gatwick Airport, London Victoria and Portsmouth

Gatwick Airport — 12 miles