Why go?
Well really, why not? In just under two hours from London, couples will find themselves enveloped in acres of pretty parkland, where woodland picnics are almost obligatory, as are romantic walks to the Cowdray’s infamous ruins as the sun dips. Coster’s Lodge at Cowdray Estate is an idyllic minimoon spot for couples craving a little privacy, or simply for romantic weekends away with friends – consider it your own storybook countryside bolthole, without the hotel check-in malarkey or punitive breakfast deadlines.
Honeymoon style
This is cosy English countryside at its best – where the elements and great outdoors are closer than ever, but far enough away from the log burner on chilly nights. Coster’s Lodge would suit either a just married couple (particularly if they’re getting hitched at Cowdray itself) who feel like falling off the edge of the earth in a ludicrously cute and comfortable setting, or a couple with children, who are craving green open (safe) space and cosy evenings curled up on sofas, or in summer, barbecues in what feels like their own country bolthole. The three double-room set up would also work for a group of two or three couples in need of a country escape. For something a little smaller or more intimate, Cowdray’s rustic-luxe Treehouses allow couples to reconnect with nature, without sacrificing on meringue-crisp sheets or stylish interiors.
Set the scene
Tucked down a single track next to Cowdray House in one of the most beautiful corners of the estate, Costers Lodge at Cowdray Estate is enveloped by woodland on one side and farm fields on the other. Views of the South Downs roll on ahead, with Cowdray House atop one of the hills – its flag-topped turret rises grandly from the trees. Inside, the interiors have a home-from-home feel, with striking original features such as stone mullioned windows and thick heavy oak doors, and a good-looking open-plan kitchen and merlot-hued sitting room doused in country light keeps all the downstairs activity in the same place. Outside feels perfectly choreographed for summer, with the lodge’s own private garden and a seating area for barbecues (all set up and ready to roll).
Rooms
The cloud-like beds in the three en-suite rooms upstairs are the sort you long to flop onto following a long hot bath, with sheets so crisp they could crack. All peer out across the South Downs, anchoring you in this beautiful setting. Yellow striped valances and bright modern art add a playful, colourful touch to the otherwise classic, farmhouse-style, and the thick, fluffy towels and bathrooms are a welcome touch following long rambles through the grounds. The organic ethos of the estate’s farmland spills into its interiors, all of which feel hand-crafted or a luxuriously fresh take on traditional prints and hues.
Food and drink
Far from your typical rental stay, Costers Lodge has the best of both worlds. Couples or groups of friends can cook up a storm on the barbecue and soak in the afternoon sun from the lodge’s private garden, or they can pre-order delicious ready-baked meals from Cowdray’s own farm shop, the made-from-scratch sort that would make Daylesford blush. Breakfasts or lunches can arrive in a hamper, pre-ordered and filled with farmshop goodies, or guests can meander down to the Farm Shop café and devour it there (without any clearing up to do) then head off on their walks. Expect the freshest of estate-to-plate dishes, from Turkish eggs supplied by their free-range hens, to Cowdray venison cottage pie.
The story
The current Viscount Cowdray’s ancestor, Weetman Pearson, bought the house in 1909, and rescued the original house’s ruins from complete collapse. These are the bones of one of England’s most important Tudor Houses, visited by Henry VIII (several times) and Elizabeth I, and burnt down in a devastating 15th century fire. Today, the estate honours its history while staying relevant to modern rhythms and standards. Cowdray hosts its famous annual polo tournament, along with various equestrian and sporting events throughout the year, the main house is an exquisite backdrop for country weddings (at which the estate excels in), and a scatter of renovated cottages and treehouses offer charming country boltholes for those starved of green space and proper walks.
Location
Cowdray is a sprawling estate with its own farm shop and, from Coster’s Lodge’s front door, a fantastic squiggle of walking routes in all directions. One footpath will take couples straight to the polo pitches as well as the Farm Shop Café, as well as a cluster of small boutique shops with irresistible estate goodies and home-spun homeware pieces. Postcard-pretty Midhurst is a five minute drive or scenic walk away, but ultimately, for the serious walkers, The South Downs are the greatest draw – undulating, watercoloured, poetic countryside waiting to be explored.
Lead in rate for Costers Lodge, based on a 2 night stay is £1,015.
For more information and to book, visit: cowdray.co.uk/costers-lodge
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