Notes from the host
Rozel Near Standen House and Garden
A spacious home with enormous garden, walking distance to East Grinstead in the area of outstanding natural beauty with breathtaking views. Very well set up for families with all you could want for kids (toys, books, cots all available). Small heated swimming pool and hot tub. East Grinstead train station 20 minutes walk (4 minutes drive) with direct links to London in under an hour.
The house is the perfect place for a get together with very large communal spaces (110m2). The living room has a large corner sofa and three seater sofa making sure everyone is comfortable, a wood burning stove and 60" TV. Any children staying will be delighted by the array of toys, books and games. The room also benefits from bifold doors leading to the enormous one acre secluded garden (with small heated swimming pool, patio garden furniture, BBQ, trampoline, swing set and climbing frame) which backs onto private woodland and is in the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty.
The kitchen is spacious and well stocked for all cooking needs, very large fridge/freezer, espresso machine, dishwasher, sharp knives, children's utensils and plenty of staples, herbs and spices. There is also a separate dining room with 3m+ table which also has double doors that can be opened into the front garden. A very large utility/boot room which has a sink, large drum washer and separate tumble dryer as well as a backdoor to the garden.
There is a large ground floor Bedroom 1 with adjoined double beds to create a 9ft master bed and a downstairs shower room there is also a sofa which can be set up as a double sofa bed on request.
On the first floor are 4 good size bedrooms. Bedroom 2 has an ensuite bathroom with bath and shower over bath, built in wardrobe and super-kingsize bed, the room benefits from an archway that separates the main sleeping space from the dressing area which contains a daybed which can be set up as two single beds. Bedroom 3 has a kingsize bed and built in wardrobe. Bedroom 4 also has a kingsize bed. Bedroom 5 is set up with a double bed and benefits from a balcony and view over the forest and hills - this room can be left as a home office on request.
Lockbox with keys for convenient contactless and flexible access. Walking distance from East Grinstead train station and private parking with a driveway.
Please note we do not accept large adult only groups, parties or events.
We are in a residential area and have a noise monitoring device in the garden. This only captures noise levels and alerts us if the volume is over a certain level for any prolonged period.
Supermarkets - Waitrose and Sainsbury's - are both easily accessible on this side of town and less than a mile away.
The town centre is a perfect quintessential English town and has one of the longest rows of Tudor buildings anywhere in the country. There are cafes, restaurants and plenty of shops.
Eating out
Our favourite cafes in town are 1 Middle Row and Nest. You can also get very nice stuffed croissants, cheese and charcuterie and a glass of wine at the Tasting Rooms.
The best place to get cakes is the Flint Owl Bakery.
Rocca does great Turkish food
There are also lots of nice pubs in the area, the Old Dunnings Mill is a short walk and does good pub grub with a playground on the opposite side of the road, the Wiremill is very child friendly and on the water so a nice setting.
For something upmarket
By the fountain does great food or head to Grayvete Manor for a Michelin star meal
Things to do nearby
ASHDOWN FOREST
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.
HEVER CASTLE
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.
KINGSCOTE ESTATE
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.
WAKEHURST PLACE
Wakehurst is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. 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.
STANDEN HOUSE
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. On the wider estate, footpaths lead out into the woodlands, Ashdown Forest and wider High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
BLUEBELL RAILWAY
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.
FOR KIDS
With too many great activities for children in the area to mention them all here are a few particularly special ones:
East Court playground are our favourite in East Grinstead with good equipment and a have nice picnic spots and a fairy trail.
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.
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.
TeamSport Indoor Karting Crawley is a 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 aimed at kids from 10 years and upwards.
The Hunger Games Camp includes activities like training for the games, daily challenges between districts, construct your own arrow to take home, hunt for items from sponsors!
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.