AROUND ROZEL
Not just a beautiful home - an amazing base to explore this outstanding part of the country!
Ashdown Forest is an ancient area of open heathland occupying the highest sandy ridge-top of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home of Winnie the Pooh.
Ashdown Forest is very popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Explore its wooded areas, rolling hills and beautiful heathland and if your lucky stumble upon spectacular secluded waterfalls.
EAST GRINSTEAD
A historic, vibrant town, East Grinstead is a traditional market town set in the north eastern corner of the Mid Sussex district of West Sussex, it is a haven for those seeking sanctuary from urban life, whilst maintaining the spirit of a buzzing town centre.
East Grinstead high street is officially a conservation area, owing to its profusion of Medieval and Tudor, alongside Georgian and Regency, buildings. The high street also boasts one of the longest runs of 14th century timber-framed buildings in England. Its distinctive character and feel is contrasted with a good variety of modern independent and chain retail stores, cafes and restaurants.
The Bluebell Line was the UK's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway, re-opening part of the Lewes to East Grinstead line of the old London Brighton & South Coast Railway in 1960. Since then it has developed into one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sussex, yet it still remains true to its objectives of the preservation for posterity of a country branch line, its steam locomotives, coaches and goods stock, signalling systems, stations and operating practices.
Today the heritage railway runs passenger services throughout the year, including special events such as the steamlights in winter, toy & train fair, Christmas train, teddy bears picnic and dining trains.
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth - Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden, home to the UK’s largest conservation project, the Millennium Seed Bank and an Elizabethan Mansion. Make a day of it and immerse yourself in 200 hectares of ornamental gardens, woodlands and a nature reserve. Kids will love the wild magical woodlands, treetop adventures and woodland creatures, it's the perfect opportunity for your kids to play outdoors and learn about the importance of plants at the same time.
Kingscote Estate is an award-winning English vineyard in West Sussex, committed to bringing quality and finesse to every glass. Set on a magnificent 160 acre estate among rolling hills you can see the historic Bluebell steam train, a winding river, fishing lakes and an organic apple orchard, and with over five kilometers of natural woodland walks, you can explore the breath-taking land at your leisure. Open for wine tours and tasting, fishing and bottomless Sunday Brunch.
Standen House is an Arts and Crafts Home built by James and Margaret Beale chose an idyllic location with views across the Sussex countryside for their rural retreat. Designed by Philip Webb, the house is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The house is dressed for a weekend stay in 1925, so you can imagine you are a guest of the family.
A major restoration of the 5-hectare (12-acre) hillside garden showcases year-round seasonal highlights and an award-winning plant collection. On the wider estate, footpaths lead out into the woodlands, Ashdown Forest and wider High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Experience 700 years of history and award-winning gardens at the romantic double-moated 13th century Hever Castle once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Spend time enjoying a walk in the stunning grounds with statues and a variety of ornamental gardens, making it an ideal day out for horticultural lovers. There’s a beautiful lake that you can take a leisurely walk around too.
Children can enjoy the playground areas with climbing frames, swings and an aerial runway. There’s the Tudor Towers Adventure Playground – a nine metre tall wooden play castle, bigger than a four bedroom house and complete with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets and younger visitors will be able to explore a natural play area, Acorn Dell.
FOR KIDS
With too many great activities for children in the area to mention them all here are a few particularly special ones:
Deers Leap Park has 240 acres of dedicated mountain bike tracks of every grade from family-friendly trails to single track and north shore in the woods. Just south of East Grinstead in Sussex.
The British Wildlife Centre was established to educate people about the beauty and wonder of Britain's own native wildlife.
There are over 40 native species at the centre. You will have the opportunity to see up-close rarely seen species such as otters, Scottish wildcats and pine martens, as well as foxes, deer, badgers and beautiful free-flying British owls. The Centre has the UK’s first Walk-through Red Squirrel Enclosure allowing you to walk amongst free-ranging red squirrels in their own wooded Copse. Half hourly keeper talks give you the chance to learn more about these animals, while seeing them even closer. The Centre offers so much to see and provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.
400m of pure awesomeness really puts TeamSport Indoor Karting Crawley on the map. A true breeding ground for budding karters, this awesome track will put your driving skills to the test, so buckle up and prepare to race.
Ardingly Activity Centre is a great place for water based activities, including sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and raft building, whatever your age or ability level. The patient and enthusiastic staff have will introduce you and the family to the thrilling experience of canoeing, sailing and windsurfing.
Swoop, whoop and loop your way around Go Ape Crawley. It’s a high ropes adventure course within the grounds of Tilgate Park, full of challenges to tire out your entire tribe. Get the whole family outdoors and take on Treetop Adventure, the course designed with little monkeys in mind and suitable for anyone over 1m tall. Packed full of fun for the whole family, test your nerve on Half Noughts and Crosses, two awesome zip wires and a not-to-be-missed Flying Carpet all in one action-packed hour.
Lazer World is a great example of the modern classic of live gaming: Lazer Tag! Use a deadly looking harmless phasor to stalk friends and family through the atmospheric maze: they were friends and family: they're laser fodder now!
The Hunger Games Camp is a fun packed day for the whole family aimed at kids from 10 years and upwards.
The Hunger Games Camp includes activities such as a day of training for the games, daily challenges between districts, construct your own arrow to take home, hunt for items from sponsors! Learn basic first aid skills, plant identification, basic first aid, working in a team, wildlife tracking, basic self defence, primitive firelighting, archery and the art of camouflage.
There are also a number of soft play centres nearby for rainy days with small kids nearby including Treasure Chest Soft Play Centre, Mini Mayhem Soft & Role Play and Manic Monsters.
