insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 106

GETAWAYS

The serene

OCKENDEN MANOR
‘Spa’ and ‘break’ are two words I will never tire of hearing, but add Sussex’s charming
Ockenden Manor into the mix and you’ve got yourself a triple threat. Offering luxury and
comfort – not to mention award-winning dining and facilities – a trip to this tranquil hideout
is all that’s needed to eliminate those pesky winter blues. BY GEMMA DUNN
Tucked away in Cuckfield, a one-time market
hub and one of the prettiest remaining Tudor
villages in England, Ockenden Manor boasts a
rich and colourful history that spans as far back
as the mid-1500s. Playing host to a number of
residential owners – including John Burrell, who
bought the manor in 1658 and extended it to
incorporate the Burrell Room – the property has
acquired various uses, eventually becoming a
guesthouse and restaurant after the Second
World War.
Residing in nine acres of peaceful gardens
with views across the South Downs, Ockenden
provides the perfect go-to for a restful getaway;
and in my case, the perfect spot for a pampering
weekender.
Allocated a spa suite for the occasion, our
open-plan room – complete with spacious lounge
and ensuite bathroom – was merely steps away
from the on-site facilities and offered everything
from a walk-in shower and rolltop bath to a flat
screen TV, Nespresso coffee machine, iPad
docking station and panoramic views from a
private roof terrace. Alternatively, guests can
book one of the hotel’s 28 individually furnished
bedrooms and suites in the heart of the manor
house.
Whilst a nap was a tempting option after
a long week, the notion was trumped by the
promise of acclaimed cuisine in Ockenden’s
Michelin-starred, fine dining restaurant.
Under the guidance of head chef Stephen
Crane, discerning diners ca