REVIEW: ASHDOWN PARK HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB
A Honey Pot for Pooh Fans and Discerning Bears
Like Winnie the Pooh and Piglet before us, we head to Ashdown Forest - the inspiration for 100 Acre Wood - for a weekend at Ashdown Park Hotel, the grand Neo-Gothic hotel that sits at the forest's heart.
It’s a grand first impression, heading up the stately four star hotel's long driveway, past perfectly manicured lawns, where we park our car beside tame deer, nibbling the grass.
Built in 1815, the sprawling 186 acre estate with 106 characterful rooms, golf course and spa is brimming with history - it's been a hospital for Belgian soldiers, a Convent, school house and a university.
Since 1993 it has been Sussex’s most luxurious country hotel that we (are about to) know and love.
The tone is set as we step into its reception, with austere, mahogany staircase, a vast fireplace and ancient stone archways leading to a warren of grand rooms.
Friendly and immaculately dressed staff lead us to the East Wing, down long, stone-walled corridors to our extraordinary suite - Room 100.
It’s a deliciously eccentric, gothic dream, with stunning circular stained glass windows studding the walls, sunshine streaming through giant arched church windows, a lounge area with chocolates and fudge awaiting us, and perfectly chopped, purple pillows.
I rarely squeal in astonishment at a loo - apart from Glastonbury, for very different reasons. But this ensuite is jaw-dropping, with an enormous and kaleidoscopic circular stained glass window which presides over the room.
All perfunctory ablutions feel sacred and exciting in this space, and we presume the whirlpool bath fills with holy water, when we turn on the taps.
There are all the luxury touch points you’d expect from the Elite Hotels Group - Molton Brown toiletries, Nespresso machine, fluffy robes and slippers.
We drag ourselves away from the suite, to discover the spa - a fragrant and pristine space, where we splash about in the pool and then relax in the Jacuzzi. There is also a gym, and treatment rooms offering massages, facials, body scrubs, rituals and wraps.
Feeling refreshed and acclimatising to our child-free trip away, without half-finished conversations while frantically fumbling for snacks, we amble back to our room to prepare for dinner.
The sun has dipped beneath the forest and the drama of the gothic buildings is brought to life, with uplighting, against the royal blue sky.
The dining experience starts with cocktails in the low-lit, cosy Drawing Room, while we look over the menus, before heading through to their 2 AA Rosette Anderida Restaurant.
There are starched shirts on friendly staff, white table clothes, and a man tinkling away on the Grand Piano - it’s charmingly old school, without feeling stuffy.
I start with the Salmon Ceviche, a generous and fresh dish, with a zingy kiwi, lime and red chilli dressing.
My husband has a showstopping bone marrow starter - rich, buttery marrow with charred shallots and crispy capers, served with crusty sourdough. Phwoar.
There’s an excellent Mains selection, from slow braised octopus to Chateaubriand, or roasted venison haunch.
I opt for the fish of the day (a fresh and meaty trout) with crushed new potatoes, garlic spinach, tomato compote and crispy onion.
My partner has the harissa rubbed lamb rump - as tender as a baby, with a rich pink centre, and served with moreish stuffed aubergines, golden and fluffy roti potatoes and mint jus. Perfection.
This is washed down with a lovely Bodegas Berceo Rioja from their excellent wine selection.
Sadly, we don’t have space for dessert, but we admire the Chocolate Orange Cremeaux Choix Buns which arrive on a fellow diner’s table, as we waddle back to our room.
We return to the restaurant the following morning for breakfast - there’s a range of pastries, cereals, fruit, meats and fish alongside breakfast which is cooked to order - our perfectly poached eggs have pleasingly burnt orange yolks, served with zingy avocado and lime on toast.
Then we explore the Ashdown estate, which is vast. There are 95 acres of landscaped woodland, brimming with follies; a secret garden; spraying fountains; a Koi carp filled lake and stunning views.
There’s an 18-hole golf course, which cuts through the forest and naturally, there’s a croquet lawn. We also discover tennis courts, a helipad, and its beautiful (and now deconsecrated) church, which is used for events these days.
Naturally, the hotel is buzzing with Winnie the Pooh fans - children can enjoy their Pooh-inspired afternoon tea of themed sandwiches, cupcakes and treats.
And it’s just a ten-minute drive to Pooh Sticks Bridge in Hartfield, where AA Milne first played the game with his son (the real-life Christopher) and is near the homes of Owl, Piglet and the gang. You can also discover Galleon’s Lap, Roo’s Sandy Pit, the Heffalump Trap, and the Enchanted Place where Christopher Robin says farewell to his friend.
It’s clear that Tigger has been to Ashdown Park Hotel and Eeyore needs to pay it a visit.
But whether you’re a Pooh-lover or not, the hotel is a honey trap for discerning bears who value quintessential English luxury, in a beautiful country setting, with excellent food and giant stained glass windows in their loo.
Ashdown Park Hotel, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Grinstead, RH18 5JR. Rooms from £152 a night
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