The South Downs – So Peaceful in West Sussex

Our cottages are set amongst the forthcoming South Downs National Park with wonderful walking, biking, riding etc.

It is so peaceful here, even though we are only 10 minutes from the hubbub of Brighton, no traffic noise, only the sound of birdsong or the clip-clopping of the horses along the lane can be heard.

The village of Clayton has a stunning folly, a cottage over the longest tunnel on the London to Brighton railway line, that used to house the signalman and his family. (There was a TV play called The Signalman a few years ago, about a dreadful crash that occurred in the tunnel in 1861 in which 21 people were killed - it is said that the tunnel is now haunted!).

The village also has a 12th century church with the most wonderful wall paintings, uncovered when the church was being re-plastered a few years ago. When they stripped the old plaster off the walls they found these amazing paintings, hidden for centuries.

People come from all over the world to see them. Norman Hartnell, the queen's dressmaker (he designed her wedding dress), is buried in the graveyard. The third claim to fame of our little hamlet is The Jack and Jill windmills, hauled by oxen from Brighton. Jack Mill is now lived in but Jill Mill is still grinding corn and the sails are turned every weekend. (They were the setting of The Black Windmill starring Edward Woodward many years ago).

The cottages are in the perfect position for visiting many local National Trust properties, the most famous of all being Wakehurst Place with it's incredible seed bank, part of Kew Gardens, they are trying to accumulate all the seeds from every plant known to man (a large project)!!

Because of our close proximity to The South Downs Way we have many ramblers, cyclists and horse riders staying with us in our bed and breakfast and the cottages are very popular with country loving guests. They all enjoy especially the peace and quiet of our situation, so come along and see what you're missing!!
Chris and Andy Bailey, Dower Cottage©
Listed in Cottage Holidays April 2009