Bay Tree Cottage, Storrington

About this property

Great holiday cottage for two in Storrington at the foot of the South Downs

Bay Tree Cottage will provide all the comforts of home for a couple looking for a pretty cottage in this beautiful part of West Sussex, right on the edge of the South Downs National Park. The cottage, originally a workshop, has been cleverly converted by the owner, and now has a new lease of life as a holiday home. The front door leads into the living room and kitchen, which is flooded with light from west facing windows at the front. The windows overlook a mellow brick terrace, which is the perfect spot to enjoy a pot of tea after a walk on the Downs, or a glass of something as the sun starts to sink. The terrace, for guests’ exclusive use, gets all the afternoon sun. It is bounded by low box hedging and two lollipop bay trees that stand at the top of the owner’s garden, which slopes down from Bay Tree Cottage to her house beyond.

Back inside the cottage the vaulted living room ceiling creates an unexpected feeling of space and light. The kitchen area has an integrated washing machine, and is well equipped for producing meals with an oven, microwave and two ring electric hob. The dining table is by a window with views over the terrace and owner’s garden beyond. On the far side of the living room a door leads to the bedroom with its comfortable king size sleigh bed, and adjacent shower room. The shower is larger than average, with a small lip to the shower tray. There is also a ladder style towel radiator to ensure warm towels at any time of the year.

Storrington and beyond

Storrington is one of the many small market towns and villages that sit at the foot of the South Downs. It stands at the mid-point and on one of the most beautiful sections of the 99 mile South Downs Way which runs through the country’s newest National Park, tracing its chalk hill spine from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne. There are several ways to the top of the South Downs from Storrington, with footpaths close to Bay Tree Cottage leading to the top of Kithurst and Chantry Hills. For the less energetic there are roads leading to the top of the Downs both east and west of Storrington, with car parks once you reach the top. There are also numerous footpaths on flatter ground, so walkers and mountain bikers are well served. Storrington has a range of shops for every day needs, and a good selection of restaurants and tea rooms. Nearby there are traditional country pubs serving notably good food.

Two miles from Bay Tree Cottage at Wiggonholt towards Pulborough is the rspb Pulborough Brooks reserve. This is a wetland haven for bird life, and an overwintering ground for many migrant species.

Chanctonbury Ring atop the Downs just three miles to the east was originally an Iron Age hill fort. It is most famous though for the ring of beech trees planted in 1760 by Charles Goring. The great storm of 1987 ripped through the ring and, following a second storm in 1990 the Goring family replanted the trees. Today Chanctonbury Ring is regaining its former glory. At 780 feet it has fine Downland views in each direction. Walk three miles to the south from Chanctonbury and you will reach Cissbury Ring which is one of the greatest prehistoric Iron Age hill forts in the country. On a clear day you can see the white cliffs towards Beachy Head to the east and the Isle of Wight and Chichester Cathedral spire to the west.

Parham House just west of Storrington is a magnificent Elizabethan country house with beautiful formal gardens and open parkland. During the year Parham hosts a number of popular house and garden weekends. South Downs Gliding Club operates from an adjacent grass airfield.

It is only a short drive to the coast from Bay Tree Cottage. Head due south to Worthing or take the road over Bury Hill to Littlehampton, Climping or Bognor Regis.

Bay Tree Cottage is an ideal base from which to enjoy the county’s internationally famous sporting and cultural highlights — Goodwood’s two motorsport events, the Festival of Speed and the Revival meeting, and of course Glorious Goodwood, the summer horseracing festival run on the loveliest race track in the land. Summer also brings the drama and fun of arts festivals held in Arundel, Petworth and Brighton. Chichester too has an arts festival, as well as its world famous Festival Theatre, and at Pallant House one of the country’s finest collections of modern British paintings. For lovers of stately homes Arundel Castle, Petworth House and Goodwood House are all within a short drive.

Places to Visit

Parham House

RSPB Pulborough Brooks

Amberley Working Museum

What's On

Sussex Game & Country Fair, Parham — June

Petworth Festival — July

Wiston Steam Rally — July

Arundel Festival — August

Local shop — ½ mile Storrington

Nearest supermarket — ½ mile Storrington

Nearest restaurant — ½ mile Storrington

Local pub — ¼ mile Cootham

Mainline rail service — 4 miles Pulborough, for services to Gatwick Airport, London Victoria and Portsmouth

Gatwick Airport — 30 miles