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Blue Door Barns

South East England East Sussex Lewes

From £115 a night
4 Barns Sleeping 2-4
Boutique B&B

A perfect rural B&B and self catering bolthole in the South Downs – just an hour or so from London

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If you're bewitched by Bloomsbury and fancy staying somewhere in Sussex to get your own creative juices flowing, then this might just be the place for you. The former home of Quentin Bell, these sixteenth-century barns and stables – one of which was formerly his studio – have been converted to a series of stylish and thoughtfully furnished self-catering and B&B rooms and apartments. Of course, you may not give a fig for either the Bells or the Bloomsbury Set, but no matter. A more comfortable, peaceful or beautifully appointed bolthole would be hard to find – either for a weekend or longer.

A set of restored barns and stables arranged around a pretty courtyard, there is a choice of two cosy barns for couples – the 'Sailor's House' and 'The Nook' – and two others that can comfortably sleep four, all of which can be rented by the night or the week (though there's a 2-night minimum at weekends). They describe the style as 'luxury meets vintage', which sums it up pretty well – bright, well-proportioned spaces with whitewashed floorboards, rugs, rustic yet contemporary furniture, beautiful bathrooms and big comfy beds that are designed to make you feel immediately at home. The two larger barns 'The Lodge' and 'Little Lodge' also have kitchens, private bedrooms, bathrooms with big baths and a sofa bed in the living room and can be rented as self-catering accommodation if you prefer. They also welcome dogs in all rooms, which is a blessing with so many great walks on your doorstep. The latest addition to the site is The Cabin, a great communal space which can be booked as a bolt-on to a stay for those wanting extra living space and is always included for group stays. Prairie-chic in style, this wonderful extra offers living space, dining space, additional kitchen space, indoor fire and covered verandah with fire pit.

There's a generous welcome hamper to new self-catering arrivals if you want it, but it would be a shame to miss breakfast, a sumptuous affair that is worth the trip alone. After this you're perfectly poised to walk it off by yomping across the South Downs (the South Downs Way passes nearby) or just enjoying the offerings of the 'Snug' treatment room, where they offer multiple varieties of massage and facial treatments. There's a great pub within walking distance, The Ram at Firle, and you're also close to the Bloomsbury attractions of Charleston Farmhouse, Monk's House and Sissinghurst and the eminently wanderable town centre of Lewes. They even make a point of including horseriding at a local stables as an optional extra, if that's your bag. Or you could just stay put – it's a perfect place for tired city folk to just chill out and the rooms here are the sort that you don't want to leave.

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Nearby

Nearby attractions of note include Middle Farm, Drusillas, Sheffield Park, Ditchling Beacon, The Bluebell Railway, Monks House and Charleston Farmhouse.

Open

Open all year.

Pricing

B&B doubles from £115 per night inclusive of breakfast

Self catering barns for two–four people from £145 per night

Breakfast hampers from £35.00

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The Owner Says

Nestled at the foot of the South Downs with direct access onto the South Downs Way, we are situated in a stunning, rural location - but minutes from the bustling market town of Lewes and also cosmopolitan city-by-the-sea Brighton. Blue Door Barns is a cluster of beautifully converted barns and stables around a magical courtyard garden, set within the grounds of our main country house. The private courtyard garden for guests has a bar, an outside fireplace and dining table and chairs under fairy lit pergola for 12.

Location

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Getting There

From London follow the A23 to just outside Brighton and take the A27 beyond Lewes, making a right at the Beddingham roundabout signed A26 (Newhaven/Seaford). Blue Door Barns is situated about half a mile down the A26 on the right hand side. Turn in directly opposite the Blue Door Barns sign, cross the large gravel carpark and enter through the open blue gate where you will find designated customer parking.