‘As wonderful as ever,’ writes a regular visitor to Sarah Burgoyne’s ‘charmingly run’ Grade II listed, red brick Georgian manor house adjoining a private estate, close to Lewes. Glyndebourne is a ten-minute drive away (picnics can be provided). ‘A beautiful house, glorious garden [with a secluded outdoor pool and wisteria-draped pool house, a hard tennis court, lake, rose-covered pergola], comfortable rooms.’ There are lovely views from the traditionally styled bedrooms (two en suite, two with private bathroom), all supplied with wool blankets, Egyptian cotton or Irish linen sheets. Fine china is brought out for tea and cakes served in a drawing room filled with paintings, books, photographs and family possessions. Here, later, guests will gather for aperitifs, before a ‘delicious dinner’ in the candlelit dining room – or alfresco on warm evenings – prepared by the hostess, who trained in cookery and flower-arranging in Paris. Perhaps curried squash soup; duck breast, port sauce, red cabbage; dark chocolate flan, lime cream. Breakfast includes eggs from the hens, honey from the orchard’s hives, poached pears from its trees. (Catrin Treadwell)