First up, before talking about rooms, the pool, or even the two AA rosette restaurant, we’ve got to talk about the location. The grounds Ashdown Park Hotel is set in are absolutely breathtaking.
The wow factor starts when you sweep up the drive and first see the hotel, a mansion house built around 1815, and the Bridgerton vibes are strong. It’s set in Ashdown Forest, where AA Milne pictured Winne-the-Pooh walking with Piglet
It’s been a hotel since 1994, and the grounds now consist of about 186 acres including 95 acres of landscaped woodland and 40 acres of grazing land where wild deer roam. It’s out the back of the hotel that your jaw will really drop at the incredible landscape. We didn’t have time on our stay but if we go back, I’ll definitely make time to explore more. In fact, you’re given a map with a selection of suggested walks upon arrival.
Speaking of arriving, the hotel’s reception is just right for this time of year. There was a real fire in the grate, and twinkling lights set around the entrance arch. Just gorgeous.
Ashdown Park Hotel rooms
The hotel has lots of rooms that are suitable for a family stay. We were in the rhododendron suite, that had a large (very large) double bed for the grown-ups, and two put-up beds for the children. The downside of being in the same room, of course, is that you all need to go to bed at the same time. Which is honestly not a problem for me as I love an early night. My children do have relatively late bedtimes for their ages though (8:30 – 9pm) which I’m working on. If your kids are the magic ones I hear about that go down at about 7:30pm you may want to plump for adjoining rooms.
The bathroom had gold taps and the most wonderfully scented Molten Brown, Mandarin and Clary Sage, toiletries. Lush.
Ashdown Park Hotel menu
The hotel is very proud of its 2 AA rosette awarded restaurant, Anderida. Considering its fancy credentials, it’s not stuffy and staff didn’t blanch when my four-year-old trotted in wearing Spider-Man wellies and a slightly stained t-shirt. There is a three course children’s menu, and my little one loved her melon boat starter and my older one his spaghetti and meatballs. I went for the vegetarian linguine, and my husband the chicken. Overall, it was a great experience although the children’s pudding took a looooong time to arrive. If we’d known how long the wait it would be for a brownie, we’d have asked for it to be sent to the room.
Although the dining room is pretty, it’s in the morning that it really comes into its own. Breakfast is a help yourself buffet of the usual continental suspects, with the option to order something cooked. Which we did because of course we did. I had a lovely, zingy, smashed avocado on toast with a perfectly poached egg. My kids had pancakes.
But it’s the setting that really elevates the breakfast. When it’s light outside you feel as though you’re eating amongst the branches of trees. Glorious.
Ashdown Park Hotel swimming pool
Kids’ splash time runs from 3pm-6pm in the afternoon and my water babies took full advantage. It’s a lot larger than I expected and was pretty quiet. Maybe health club members know to clear out when it’s splash time. There’s no shallow end, so your kids need to be water confident. I snuck off for 30 minutes to use the on-site gym while my husband got soaked. It’s big for a hotel gym, and I had it all to myself which was a treat.
Hot tip: the pool and gym are a short walk away from the hotel, so I’d suggest not going there in your cossie and flip-flops. Unless that’s your autumn vibe, in which case live your chilly dream at this beautiful dream of a hotel.
Ashdown Park’s three-night Christmas House Party experience begins on Tuesday 24 December. Prices from £1,215 pp (two adults sharing a classic bedroom) for three nights’ full-board, from 24 to 27 December. Children from £219 each (under 2s stay free) when sharing their parents’ room. To book, or for further information, go to Christmas at Ashdown Park, or call 01342 824 988.
Georgina Terry is group digital editor of Closer and heat and is sure she used to be cool once upon a time. Her absolute favourite thing in the world is a mini-break, and having two children hasn't stopped that although she's now a lot more Butlin's than boujie.