HEAD to the south coast and choose between two idyllic locations for the perfect getaway,
To help you choose Associate Editor Sarah Barns and family head to Ferne Lodge near Chichester, while Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley gathers up some friends for a foodie break at Seagrass Camber.
SEAGRASS, CAMBER
Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley gathered friends for a foodie break.
THE PAD: Welcome to one stylish Tardis.
This pimped-up bungalow, hidden down a sandy lane, has a lust-worthy kitchen, dining room and pantry, plus a luxe snug with huge velvet corner sofa and pretty pink bathrooms complete with rain showers and a bath.
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Three double bedrooms and a double bunk bedroom sees it sleep 10, plus two canine companions.
A hamper of local treats awaits, too, along with board games and a small garden.
It’s worth flagging that this place sits between other homes, so lacks idyllic views.
EXPLORE: The glorious sands of Camber beach stretch for miles, and scrambling up the dunes is a must.
The town itself is less pretty, but new lifestyle shop/deli/coffee bar Camber Landing serves negronis, £9, alongside handsome pastries and quiches, £3.75.
There are three vineyards within half an hour’s drive, too.
Stroll around Chapel Down on an entertaining tour, before trying its moreish Bacchus white wine.
Tours with tastings cost from £30 per person (Chapeldown.com).
Meanwhile, historic Rye is just 10 minutes away, with cute shops and a crazily good antiques scene.
For gorgeous gifts – both modern and vintage – call in at Lola & Sidney (Lolaandsidney.com).
Steps to feel less tired in the morning - caffeine cut-off time and warm bath
For eclectic local art and organic beauty picks, seek out Ethel Loves Me (Ethelloves.me).
REFUEL: Drop into the Whitehouse in Rye for fluffy pancakes with blueberries and vanilla mascarpone, £12, and breakfast quesadillas with black beans, chipotle salsa and lime pickled onions, £13.
Only fools would skip the cakes, like the cherry crumble, £3.50 (Whitehouserye.co.uk).
Book The Fig for a cosy dinner of delicious small plates, such as cheese souffle tart, £11, and spicy prawn tacos, £11.
Finish off the night with a vodka-and-vermouth-based Turkish Delight cocktail, £10 (Thefigrye.com).
Staying in? Stock up on supplies, including Romney Marsh lamb, from Salts Farm Shop, just minutes from Camber (Saltsfarmshop.co.uk).
DON'T MISS: Rye’s quirky Waterworks micro-pub is housed in an old pump house.
Order a pint of the house IPA and a Red Love cider, £4 each, as well as a home-made Scotch egg, or three (Ryewaterworks.co.uk).
BOOK IT: A stay at Seagrass, sleeping 10, costs from £311 per night (Camberholidaycottages.co.uk/seagrass).
FERN LODGE, NEAR CHICHESTER
Associate Editor Sarah Barns embraced the great outdoors with her family.
THE PAD: Watch barn owls swoop across the sky from the hot tub at Fern Lodge, one of four cottages in a lush green field.
Expect statement wallpaper, a wood-burning stove and chic gold finishes, plus the master bedroom comes with South Downs views and a balcony where you can spot deer, rabbits and pheasants.
My mum slept in the second double, and my boys, George, four, and Olly, two, loved playing on the garden swing seats before drifting off to sleep under the starry mural painted above their alcove double bed.
The BBQ, firepit and board games were also a hit.
Explore: Head to West Wittering beach, 20 minutes’ drive away, for sandcastle-building, kite-flying and crab-hunting.
Keep a lookout for local resident Kate Winslet on the 13km of golden sand, too.
Parking costs from £5.75 per day (Westwitteringestate.co.uk).
Or bring the bikes to cycle down to Bosham harbour in just 10 minutes and find ocean-inspired jewellery and ceramic plant hangers at the craft centre (Boshamwalk.co.uk).
Staunton Farm in nearby Havant is toddler heaven, with its farm trail, maze, giant playbarn and tropical glasshouse, plus its cafe serves generous sausage and onion chutney baps, £5.
Entry costs £10 per adult, £8 for kids over three (Hants.gov.uk).
Fancy a meander through ancient woodland in the South Downs National Park?
Hit Kingley Vale nature reserve, a short drive from Fern Lodge (Southdowns.gov.uk).
REFUEL: Book gastro pub The Richmond Arms, a 10-minute walk away, for local speciality venison hot pot, £22, and crème brûlée with home-made shortbread, £8.50 (Therichmondarms.co.uk).
Grab coffee and a cinnamon knot, £3.85, from Pop-In in Bosham, stocking up on artisan relishes, like the excellent red-chilli jelly, while you’re there (Millstreamhotel.com/cafes).
Elsewhere, the hearty Beach Breakfast, £11.95, at West Wittering’s The Beach Cafe features the crispiest hash browns I’ve ever tasted (Westwitteringestate.co.uk/beachcafetemp).
DON'T MISS: Kids will delight at the Wonka-esque creations – like giant rhubarb and custard cables and watermelon bonbons, from £1.30 for 100g – at Bosham Sweets & Ice Cream (@timberleysbosham).
BOOK IT: Stays at Fern Lodge, sleeping six, costs from £158 a night. Fabulous readers can get 10% off with code FABULOUS10 (Oakwoodwestholidays.co.uk).*
Compiled by: Catherine Bennion-Pedley Photography: Alamy, Instagram/Whitehouse Rye, Instagram/Staunton Farm Park, Panoptic Group Ltd, Tim Winter *T&Cs apply. Offer ends 11.59pm September 20, 2024
