Dog-friendly Hotels East Sussex

These two pretty, beamed, semi-detached holiday cottages, (refs 27442 and 27443) with mezzanine floor, have been attractively converted from former cow byres and are set in the owners’ 14-acre small holding which is home to farm animals including sheep and pigs. On-site is a small children’s play area. A 10-minute walk across the fields brings you into Sedlescombe with its village green and traditional country pub. In close proximity to Battle, with its famous battlefield and abbey, built to commemorate the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Relive one of the most famous days in history, and join the 1066 walk from the doorstep. Take a trip on the Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway from Tenterden, also known as ’The Jewel of the Weald’, through the Rother Levels to Bodiam, one of the most evocative moated castles (National Trust), built in 1385. Discover the one time coastal smuggling town of Hastings and medieval Cinque Port town of Rye with its cobbled streets. Picturesque sand dunes and interesting wildlife can be explored at Camber. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.
Properties 27442 and 27443 can be booked to together to accommodate up to 4 guests.

Cowbeech Farm Cottage is situated in the beautiful grounds of the owner’s farmhouse on the edge of the village which bears the same name. Originally part of the old dairy and very much a working dairy farm back in the 1950s, it has its own enclosed garden off the original farmyard. The stunning farmhouse grounds have featured in the National Garden Scheme, and other magazines, and guests can stroll around the lake and marvel at the unusual Japanese garden. On the boundary of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within strolling distance of the local hostelry, which dates back to the early 1600s. A walkers and cyclists paradise, try the Cuckoo Trail, 19 miles of walkways and lanes that follows the old Cuckoo Line Railway from Heathfield to Eastbourne, and gained its name from the releasing of a cuckoo at the Heathfield Fair.
Michelham Priory, Herstmonceux Castle and its gardens, Drusillas Zoo and the Bluebell Railway are great days out, or spend a Saturday evening stargazing at Herstmonceux Science Observatory. Eastbourne with its beaches and pier is a 30-minute drive, and Battle is 8 miles with good rail connections to London. Should the weather be inclement, there is a leisure centre at Hailsham with flumes, inflatables and ten pin bowling. Beach 9 miles. Shop ¾ mile, pub and restaurant 175 yards.

These semi-detached holiday properties (refs 29887, 29895, 29896, and W43461) reside in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the glorious Sussex countryside and were once part of Vigoes Dairy Farm until the end of the 20th century. Set back from the road, each property has its own individual terrace with furniture, and to the rear of the buildings is a shared grassed area, beyond which is a paddock, an ideal place in which to let off steam, kick a ball around, or have a leisurely picnic. Spot deer, the occasional buzzard, or the very rare short-toed eagle! Walks and cycle routes beckon from the doorstep. See the beautiful Sheffield Park Gardens (National Trust) where, in the 1700s, Capability Brown was commissioned to landscape the gardens. A glorious feast of red and gold in the autumn and where the national collection of Ghent azaleas can be seen in their full glory in the spring alongside the bluebells. In 1876 the third Earl of Sheffield laid out a cricket pitch where the first ever match against Australia was played in 1884! The Bluebell Railway offers an opportunity to stroll amongst the locomotives in the engine sheds and perhaps spot ‘Stepney’ who appears in the Thomas the Tank Engine books, and of course, take a train journey. Stroll through the Ashdown Forest which covers approximately 10 square miles and in fact is not all forest but largely heathland, where cattle and sheep also freely graze for part of the year. It is also famous for the Winnie The Pooh Stories written by AA Milne who lived on the northern edge of the forest with his son Christopher Robin. Attend Glyndebourne, visit the county town of Lewes with its museum, antique shops, and brewery, or head to the coast at Brighton or Eastbourne across the South Downs. Horse riding is available locally. Good rail connections to London from Haywards Heath for further sightseeing opportunities. Shop 1 mile and pub/restaurant 1½ miles.

Nestling in the heart of the Tillingham Valley and located on a 200-acre family-run, traditional working sheep and fruit farm, these holiday properties (refs 19652 and 19745 ) are ideally based for exploring the Kent and Sussex countryside. A walkers paradise, with an apple orchard and sheep filled fields to wander over and connect with several public footpaths. See the lambs under the trees of apple blossom in spring, or visit the ancient Cinque Port town of Rye, with its cobbled streets, tea rooms, art galleries and far reaching views over the Romney Marsh. Rye activities include the Scallop Festival in February, the Maritime Festival and Raft Race in August, an arts festival in September and Rye Fawkes Bonfire in November. Camber, Bodiam and Scotney castles are all nearby, along with Battle Abbey and the beautiful gardens of Sissinghurst, Pashley, Great Dixter and Bedgebury Pinetum. Fishing, golf, swimming, sailing, horse riding, cycle hire and rowing boat hire are all available locally, or take the time to explore the wonderful nature reserve at Rye Harbour. Beaches at Winchelsea, 3 miles, and the fabulous golden sands at Camber, 6 miles. Enjoy a tour around and sample the produce of the local vineyards or ride on the vintage steam railway to Bodiam. Rye railway station provides access to London in 1 hour 45 minutes. Shops and pub 2 miles.
Refs 19652 and 19745 can also be booked with refs 29071 and 29072 to accommodate up to 18 guests.

Lovely detached studio lodge set in beautiful countryside in Linchmere within the South Downs National Park. Sauna. Private decked area. WiFi. Perfect romantic retreat, ideal base for walking and cycling. Pet-friendly. Midhurst 5 miles.

A fabulous wing of the owners' home just outside the medieval town of Rye. Excellent accommodation for families and couples. Dog-friendly. Stunning views and country walks direct from the door. Rye 2 miles.

The perfect place for those looking to enjoy a relaxing break in a quirky modern shepherd’s hut! The Shepherd’s Hut at Calvesfield Shaw is a cosy retreat with a fully-equipped kitchen, shower room, Smart television, double bed, and a wood burner to keep you warm. With the outdoors at heart, it opens onto a large decking area with dining facilities and seating, with sweeping views across its own 5 acres of surrounding fields. It is set on a working farm totalling 37½ acres, which guests are also free to roam around and explore. There are sheep, geese, ducks, chickens, and a fenced pond 30 yards from the entrance. Being fully insulated and with the cosy wood burner the hut is toasty all year round and can make for a romantic getaway in the winter months. With a hardcore drive allowing you to drive down to the hut to drop off luggage and stepping stones to get to the door, you won’t need to worry about muddy boots until you head off exploring. Whether it’s a crisp winter morning or a sunny summer day Calvesfield Shaw offers the perfect hideaway.
Herstmonceux is not only home to the hands-on Observatory Science Centre housed amongst the domes and telescopes of the former Royal Greenwich Observatory but there is also the magnificent Herstmonceux Castle with its Elizabethan gardens to wander around. The town also produces Henner’s medal-winning sparkling wine, and because Sussex has a sunny climate and chalky subsoil (the same as that in Champagne in France), the county also produces wonderful sparkling wines. To access your nearest beach, take a short car journey to Pevensey where the Romans landed, and you can tackle the beautiful 31-mile 1066 Country Walk which starts at Pevensey via Herstmonceux, and on to Battle and then the Cinque Port town of Rye. Golf and fishing lakes are close by. For a spot of sightseeing, you can take the train to London from Polegate. Beach 8 miles. Shop, pub, and restaurant 1¼ miles.
The Shepherd’ Hut at Calvesfield Shaw can be booked together with Moorhen (UK41448) to accommodate up to 4 guests.

Originally built in 1896, Spilstead Barn has been converted in 2018 into a delightfully welcoming holiday cottage. Still used for livestock and farming today, the 22 acre estate sets the scene with stables greeting you opposite the front door.
You enter into the open plan living area, with a modern kitchen, shower room and the sitting and dining areas. You can see exposed glimpses of the original barn, with the beautifully restored beams cleverly separating the spaces. An extra touch of luxury has been added too, with new underfloor heating downstairs to keep your toes warm in colder months.
The stairs lead you onto a large landing with soft, deep pile carpets and a cosy reading corner. There are two bedrooms, one a twin with lovely oak furniture, and a master bedroom at the far end with king size bed and fabulous views over the estate. There is also a smart shared bathroom to unwind in after a day out visiting the local towns and natural beauty of 1066 country.
Outside you have a private, fully enclosed garden. With children and dogs welcomed, this is a perfect space for them to play while you relax on the decking and enjoy some shade and a book under the parasol. When you are ready to explore a little further, head out of the gate and the hidden gem of Spilstead Barn is reached by a glorious half mile walk. Stroll past the paddocks on a tree-lined avenue, along the old vineyard which meets the open fields, and you will find the beautiful, secluded private lake. With a picnic table and small rowing boat awaiting, you can dip your toes in the water, enjoy a spot of fishing or even take a leisurely swim around the island.

Enjoying peaceful, rural vistas overlooking fields, Half Moon has its own private entrance through a 5 bar gate, parking and a garden. It adjoins the owners’ home and is situated on the edge of the South Downs, where walks and cycle paths are on the doorstep. Just along the lane is one of the largest post windmills in the country - an ideal windmill location as it’s built on some of the highest ground in the area, overlooking the Pevensey Levels and English Channel. Herstmonceux Castle with grounds and gardens is nearby, and is home to the Observatory Science Centre, providing spectacular hands-on science among the domes and telescopes of a world-famous astronomical observatory. Explore 7 acres of grounds and gardens at Michelham Priory, with the longest water-filled moat in England, 9 miles. Also, visit Pevensey Bay and Castle, where William the Conqueror landed in 1066, Burwash with Batemans, home to Rudyard Kipling and Charleston Farmhouse, home of the Bloomsbury set and decorated by Vanessa Bell, sister to Virginia Woolf, which are all within a short drive. Eastbourne is approximately 10 miles away, with its award-winning beaches and train connections to London. Golf and horse riding locally. Shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant 300 yards.