insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 05 - July 2015 | Page 62

getaways

English Spendour at Gravetye Manor

by Charlie Durban

As we drove along the seemingly endless gravel drive, I believe my wife thought
that it would be nightfall before we would arrive at our destination. The fact is, I
was travelling so slowly in order to take in the scenery, that I doubtlessly added a
needless amount of time to our journey; but, even without a glimpse of the house
itself, I was smitten.

As we rounded the final bend, with the Manor’s
rooftops and chimneys peering from the treeline,
a large pair of gates emblazoned with the initials
‘WR’ opened before us, urging ‘proceed.’
As the house came into view, all I could do was
say, “wow”. Of course there are many other
venues that evoke similar feelings, but Gravetye
casts its spell immediately. My first thought was:
I wouldn’t mind staying here forever. I suppose
that would account for the sheer volume of
repeat bookings that the house boasts from
its worldwide clientele. So what makes it so
special? Simply put: love.

The house was built on the premise of love
eternal, but this was only the beginning of the
tale. In 1884, William Robinson, renowned
horticulturalist and author of The English Flower
Garden, realised the potential of the site and set
about creating one of the most famous gardens
in England.
To say it is breathtaking would be an
understatement; I think inspirational would
best to sum up what I felt when we took our
tour of the grounds. Artists have mused over
the wonders and aspects of the layered lawns,
borders and meandering paths that create this
horticultural Nirvana.

There is something to be said of a man who,
in order to woo his betrothed, would build her
dream house as a reflection of his devotion.
It would be something else if said house was
nestled in 1,000 acres of some of the most
beautiful woodland and meadow in Sussex.

The eight gardeners that tend the site have found
their own personal heaven here and the quality,
colours and abundance of planting is testament
of their joy.

Richard Infield certainly had an eye for location,
and in 1598 the local ironmaster built the original
house on the site as a family home for his wifeto-be, Katherine. One of the most heart-warming
details of this stunning venue is the initials of the
sweethearts over the original entry: RI to the left,
KI to the right.

As we entered the lobby, it was clear to see that
attention to detail is the key to the running of
the house. The original wood has been restored
to an exceptional standard, fittings are vibrant
yet subtle and the oak embers in the stunning
fireplace lent their fragrance to the ambiance
of the room. Our greeting was as warm as the
hearth beside us and as we were shown to our
room, I felt myself relax.

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The Ash room was the master bedroom of the
original building, and boasts a carved portrait
of the original owners in the wood panelling
above the fire. All of the rooms in the hotel are
named after a tree planted in the grounds, a link
between the house and the garden.
The four-poster bed looked incredibly inviting, but
it was time to freshen up for dinner. I looked out
over the manicured lawn to the opulent borders
and wondered at the skills of the gardeners.
The view from every window of our room was
testament to their artistry and dedication.
After a quick spruce up in our surprisingly large
en-suite, we made our way to the dining room
for a much-anticipated meal. The cosy room was
inviting, and the fresh flowers (from Gravetye’s
own gardens, of course) on each table added
another element of splendour. The maître d’
talked us through the menu and left us to peruse
the culinary bounty.
If I have not praised the garden staff enough,
well here it comes again: in the summer months,
95% of the produce on the menu comes from
the vast, walled kitchen garden and orchard – an
immense achievement by head gardener Tom
Coward and his team and simply turned into
perfection by head chef George Blogg.