Stay Here: The White HorseBy Gemma Perlin

The White Horse offers the best of both worlds, stunning South Downs scenery but a mere hour and half from South London. A rural feel but with the décor of a New York boutique hotel, still feeling brand spanking new after its refurbishments three years ago.

The Accommodation:

We stayed in Stag, one of two cottages with a dazzling bubbling hot tub. The owner has really added a personal touch to each room with sheepskin rugs, four poster beds and steamer trunks for your belongings. My favorite were the wicker chairs covered in sheepskin with the coziest of wool throws, the best place to curl up and read on a cold winter night.

Crucially, each room has a kettle. Having the autonomy to make oneself a hot drink in bed felt like the biggest treat, topped up with the fresh milk delivered to our door in the morning.

Doggies are very welcome for an extra £15 which when you see all the doggy friendly treats seems like a steal.

 The Food:

Sinking into one of the leather chairs, with a Chilgrove martini by a crackling fireplace, I thought I could get really get used to country living.

To start we opted to share three of the ‘grazing’ dishes, halloumi and roasted vegetable skewers with the most delectably cooked courgettes, smoked mackerel pate and chilli salt squid and a duo of gravalax of local chalk stream trout and selsey crab.

For mains we shared the slow roast suckling pig and roast rump of south downs lamb. The pig came wth crackling and sweet apple puree.

Both meats were tender juicy and the dishes felt well balanced, perfectly seasoned, simple but delicious.

At breakfast we opted for some juicy watermelon and pineapple and squidgy homemade croissants. Followed by eggs benedict and a fry up with impeccably cooked runny poached eggs. Oh and don’t worry about it being in the middle of the countryside, they even had gluten free bread.

Tea is served in the kitsch teapots which the owner sources from markets from her travels.

 Our Verdict:

We loved this place. Not only chic rooms, fantastic food that could more than hold in its own in the London restaurant scene, but delightful Australian staff, a surprise amid the British countryside.