Find self catering and cottages that are great for a short break in East Sussex, South East England

Lane House, Pett, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 10
Weekly price range £1300 to £

Self catering accommodation in Pett sleeps 10.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Detached • Garden • Sleeps 10

Accommodation overview: Lane House, in the quiet village of Pett, offers outstanding views from the decked terrace at the rear of the property over the glorious rolling East Sussex countryside. This detached house has been furnished to a high standard and provides spacious well thought out holiday accommodation over three floors for families wishing to meet up for a celebration or a reunion for a group of friends. The property benefits from a games room/gym on the second floor, a great distraction in inclement weather! A mile further down the road is Pett Level where you will find the beach, and superb views can be enjoyed from the top of the sea defences looking west which reveals the cliffs of Fairlight. The area is also a haven for wildfowl in the Pett Pools which are shallow lakes and reed beds. The Royal Military Canal ends here and was originally built to keep out Napoleon’s army. On the beach at low tide can be seen the remains of a forest drowned after the last Ice Age. Winchelsea, where Millais painted, and which is one of the original Cinque Ports, is 2 miles. The picturesque town of Rye with its cobbled streets, many good restaurants, pubs, art galleries and market is close by. Residing in the heart of 1066 country, Battle and Hastings are within a short drive. Shop and pub 50 yards.

Spacious living room with gas ‘coal-effect’ fire, French doors to decked terrace and double doors to dining room with French oak floor. Spacious, well-equipped kitchen with TV, gas range (for cooking) granite worktops, granite-topped centre island and tiled floor. Utility with tiled floor. Games room/gym with French oak floor. Separate toilet. First floor: Double bedroom with 6ft zip & link bed, TV, excellent countryside views and en-suite bathroom with separate shower cubicle and toilet. Double bedroom with 5ft bed, countryside views and en-suite shower room with toilet. Double bedroom with 5ft bed. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with double-sized bath and toilet. Second floor: Double bedroom with Velux window and sloping ceiling.

The Oast House, Nutley, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 8
Weekly price range £1300 to £

Self catering accommodation in Nutley sleeps 8.

Features include: • Pool • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Detached • Sleeps 8

Accommodation overview: Lovingly restored, this is an unusual detached period barn with a wealth of exposed beams nestling in the owner’s 15 acres of grounds. It has its own small garden area and is situated on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. This area offers 6,500 acres of open heathland on the highest sandy ridge top of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Despite its name, woodland makes up less than 40% of the total area. Sheep, cows and goats graze freely side by side amidst the walkers and motorists. The area is also known the world over as the home of A.A. Milne’s character Winnie the Pooh. Visit the Ashdown Forest Centre to learn all about the forest. Take a llama for a walk at the Ashdown Forest Llama Park, or visit Heaven Farm with its farm museum, craft shop and tea rooms. Close by, Sheffield Park Gardens (National Trust) offers 120 acres of ’Internationally renowned landscape gardens’. Experience Pullman dining at the preserved all-steam Bluebell Railway. Standen, a Phillip Webb Arts and Crafts house is now owned by The National Trust and makes an interesting visit or sample local produce at Barnsgate Manor Vineyards. Use of owner’s heated indoor swimming pool by arrangement. Shop and pubs ⅓ mile.

Beamed living/dining room with sloping ceilings and French doors at each end to terrace. Kitchen with electric gas range (for cooking) and tiled floor. Double bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet. Twin bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet. Separate toilet. Open tread stairs to first floor: Small galleried landing. Double bedroom with 5ft bed and en-suite bathroom with shower over freestanding clawfoot bath and toilet. Twin bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet.

Barn Cottage, Nutley, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 2
Weekly price range £300 to £599

Self catering accommodation in Nutley sleeps 2.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Garden • Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview: Hidden down a forest track, leading directly to the Ashdown Forest (400 yards) and with spectacular views over the forest to the South Downs beyond, this delighful holiday cottage adjoins a former 18th-century threshing barn, lovingly restored by the owners. Terraced gardens lead down to a 5-acre meadow and stream, with four well-stocked fishponds. Abundant wildlife. Excellent walking country. Within easy reach of Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, many NT homes, gardens and places of interest. Shop 1/2 mile, pub 3/4 mile.

Entrance through stable door to beamed living/dining room with slate floor and forest views. Compact farmhouse-style kitchen. Double bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet, and courtyard view.

Mouse House, Hastings, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 4
Weekly price range £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Hastings sleeps 4.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: In the heart of Hastings Old Town, this attractive, cosily furnished Grade II listed fisherman’s cottage is 150 yards from the beach. Built c.1841, it retains many period features, exposed beams, brickwork. Relax in the secluded west-facing decked courtyard before trying one of many delightful seafood restaurants. In winter walk along the seafront, returning to a blazing log fire. Take the Funicular Railways to the country park, castle, smugglers caves. Visit the Blue Reef Aquarium, shipwreck/fisherman’s museums, boating lake, crazy golf. Shops, restaurants 200 yards, pub 25 yards.

Beamed living/dining room with open fire, oakstrip flooring, bay window, and stained glass window to kitchen. Desk area with wi-fi. Kitchen with breakfast area, door to lit outdoor space with BBQ. Steep stairs to first floor: Beamed double bedroom with views of East Hill Funicular. Character twin bedroom. Bathroom with over-bath power shower and toilet.

Ockham House Oast, Hurst Green, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 4
Weekly price range £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Hurst Green sleeps 4.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: This unusual part-beamed oast is set on a 150-acre working beef and cattle farm set back along a mile driveway, next to the owner’s home. Accessed via a roundel on the ground floor, a split staircase leads to the holiday accommodation on the first floor and there are further stairs to the kitchen/dining area in another roundel which has a part glass ceiling. Visit the moated Bodiam Castle, Bewl Water, ‘Go Ape’ at Bedgebury Pinetum or the coast at Hastings. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ mile.

Entrance lobby with games area. Open-tread stairs to first floor: Living room with French doors to balcony. Double bedroom. Twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom with roll-top bath, shower attachment and toilet. Bathroom with shower attachment and toilet. Mezzanine: Beamed kitchen/dining area with gas range (for cooking) and stable door to balcony. Oak floors throughout.

Thornsdale - Thornsdale Oast, Iden, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 10
Weekly price range £1300 to £

Self catering accommodation in Iden sleeps 10.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Detached • Games Room • Sleeps 10

Accommodation overview: This attractive detached house set in the owner’s grounds provide spacious holiday accommodation situated at the end of a mile-long lane in glorious rural surroundings. Pet friendly and offering a plethora of walks on the doorstep, the cottage offers a superb self catering base. There is a public footpath leading off the owner’s drive providing miles of walks across open countryside. A trip to picturesque Rye enables visitors to sample local foods at the Wednesday morning farmers market which is held at Strand Quay. By taking a stroll along the cobbled streets, there is also the chance to buy a memento from one of the many independently-owned shops and boutiques, art galleries and potteries - or even start Christmas shopping from the wide selection of goods available! Also worth a visit are Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Camber Sands and Camber Castle – this area of saltmarsh protects some very special wildlife, and footpaths lead to four birdwatching hides. The picturesque market town of Battle makes for an enjoyable day out, as well as Hastings, the Sealife Centre and Pevensey Castle (where the Romans invaded). The area is also well known for its local vineyards including Chapel Down and Seddlescombe. A trip to Tenterden - often referred to as the Jewel of the Weald - is an alternative and, for garden lovers, Sissinghurst (NT) is not to be missed. Further National Trust places to visit include Smallhythe Place, Scotney Castle and Bodiam Castle. Day trips to France are possible with the Channel Tunnel a mere 30-minute drive. Shops and pub 1½ miles.

Wellesley House, Hastings, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 8
Weekly price range £1300 to £

Self catering accommodation in Hastings sleeps 8.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Pub nearby • Games Room • Sleeps 8

Accommodation overview: Visitors have a unique opportunity to spend time in this beautiful Regency house occupying six floors, with stunning sea views over the rooftops of the historic Old Town of Hastings. Gaze at the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe and enjoy the sun shimmering on the waves from several of the bedroom windows or from the lofty-ceilinged drawing room with wood-burning stove. Situated in what was once a rope walk, these imposing houses were reputedly built for the Duke of Wellington’s naval officers when they retired from service. Wellington (previously known as Sir Arthur Wellesley) was stationed with his brigade in 1806 in Hastings and lived in the High Street. Hastings has a strong arts community; visit the new Jerwood Gallery in The Stade area, see the remains of the first castle to be built by William the Conqueror and spot the iconic black net huts. Savour the freshly-caught fish and shellfish and enjoy the renowned Sea Food and Wine Festival, which is a highlight of the early autumn. Explore the town’s smuggling past at St Clement’s Caves and Smugglers Adventure, picnic on the East Hill or go walking in the 660 acres of Hastings Country Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Catch the Jack in the Green Festival in May and the pyrotechnic fantasia of the Hastings bonfire and fireworks display in November. Shops, pubs and restaurants 500 yards.

Twenty-one steps to entrance (alternative level access at rear). Dining room/hall with wooden floor. Well-equipped kitchen/breakfast room with gas range (for cooking) and double sink. Three steps up to separate toilet. Open-tread, spiral staircase from dining room to lower ground floor: Games room/snug with large TV. Additional kitchen. Utility. First floor: Spacious drawing room with wood-burning stove and sea views. Second floor: Master bedroom with 6ft mahogony half tester bed and sea views. Bathroom with roll-top bath, separate large shower cubicle and toilet. Third floor: Double bedroom with low 6ft bed, ornamental fireplace and sea views. Bathroom with shower attachment, tiled floor and toilet. Steep stairs to fourth floor: One step up to two double bedrooms, each with sloping ceilings; one with 5ft bed, ornamental fireplace and French door to small balcony with sea view, one with Juliet balcony.

The Old Surgery, Rye, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 10
Weekly price range £1300 to £

Self catering accommodation in Rye sleeps 10.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Sleeps 10

Accommodation overview: This attractive Georgian house, once the doctor’s surgery, is delightfully situated in the cobbled High Street of the picturesque medieval town of Rye, and enjoys far reaching views across the Romney Marshes to the sea from its rear garden. It offers accommodation arranged over five floors, with a family room on the lower ground floor, as well as a first floor sitting room, giving plenty of room for larger groups. Tastefully renovated, it boasts wood floors, an open fireplace and a four-poster bed in the master bedroom, while outside is a wooden deck, barbecue and outdoor games area in a terraced landscaped garden.
Rye is a lovely old town, once attached to the Cinque Ports and a notorious smuggling base, but now 3 miles inland from the sea. There is a maze of streets with charming timbered, weather boarded and 18th-century houses, including Lamb House (NT) where Henry James lived. Surrounding the property are restaurants, tea houses, inns and antique shops, making this a fascinating location, with all amenities on the doorstep, so ideal for a holiday at any time of year.
Less than 3 miles away is the long stretch of sand and dunes at Camber, the pebble beach at Winchelsea, and Rye’s yachting harbour, and excellent walking, boating and fishing trips are all available locally. The town makes a splendid base for visiting the many castles and historic houses in the area, including Bodiam Castle, Great Dixter with its famous gardens, and Smallhythe Place (NT), all nearby. Within an hour’s drive are Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury and Eastbourne, while Ashford is only 20 minutes, offering day trips to Paris and Brussels by Eurostar. Shops 10 yards, pub 25 yards.

Lower ground floor: Family room with TV and stone floors. Shower room with large shower cubicle and toilet. Utility. Ground floor: Panelled dining room with wooden floor. Well-equipped modern fitted kitchen with electric range (for cooking). First floor: Living room with open fire, window seat and wooden floor. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with over-bath shower and toilet. Second floor: Two double bedrooms, one with four-poster bed. Separate toilet. Third floor: Double bedroom with 4ft bed (for 1+1). Twin bedroom. Bathroom with toilet.

The Lock Cottage, Iden, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 5
Weekly price range £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Iden sleeps 5.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Fishing nearby • Detached • Sleeps 5

Accommodation overview: Situated on the Royal Military Canal and beside Iden Lock, The Lock Cottage dates back to the Napoleonic era, when it was used as officers’ quarters. The lock itself was completed in 1808 whilst this detached, single-storey holiday cottage was built in 1824. Iden Lock is no longer a working lock; the last barge passed through it in 1909, the receipt for which was signed by Spencer Catt who had been the lock keeper since 1890. He was the great great great grandfather of The Lock Cottage’s current owner. Guests can paddle their canoe from Iden Lock to West Hythe or hire rowing boats at Hythe. Fishing and walking available. Camber Sands 5 miles. Rye, Appledore and shops 3 miles.

Living room with oak floor. Dining room with open fire. Kitchen with butler sink and tiled floor. Two double bedrooms, one with wood-burning stove, one with ornamental fireplace. Single bedroom with ornamental fireplace. Step up to bathroom with shower over corner bath, toilet and tiled floor.

Holly Cottage, Pett, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 9
Weekly price range £1300 to £

Self catering accommodation in Pett sleeps 9.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Detached • Sleeps 9

Accommodation overview: Peacefully situated and enjoying splendid views over the local countryside, this spacious detached house is placed back from the quiet village road. It has been skilfully refurbished to a good standard, and makes an ideal holiday destination for two families or one extended family. Pett is a charming village, with a post office/shop (open Monday to Friday), butchers’ and two pubs serving excellent food.
The unspoilt shingle beach, about a mile away, is good for rock pooling and fossil hunting. It is also a haven for birds and there is a public hide at Pannel Valley Nature Reserve near Pett Level. The sandy beach and dunes at Camber are a short drive away. Also nearby are the picturesque village of Winchelsea and the medieval town of Rye with its many antique shops, tea rooms, historic inns, fine restaurants, and 12th-century tower. Here there is also a museum housing a number of relics from Rye’s past, and a lovely art gallery that houses temporary exhibitions by local artists as well as a small permanent collection of works by artists associated with Rye.
This a popular holiday place all year round with plenty of sites to visit locally, including Battle with its abbey ruins, Hastings with its 1066 links and smugglers’ caves, and Tenterden with its steam railway. There are also many National Trust houses and beautiful gardens within easy reach, including Bodiam Castle, Smallhythe Place and Batemans. Ashford, 30 miles away, offers day trips to France by Eurostar. Alternatively there is a ferry crossing at Dover. There are many scenic walks in the area, both coastal and inland, and it is common to see ramblers in the village, mostly heading for the popular pub! Also locally, there is golf, riding, cycling, sea and freshwater fishing. Post office/shop opposite.

Spacious open-plan living/dining room with ceramic floor tiles and underfloor heating. French windows to large garden. Modern, well-equipped kitchen with door to garden. Twin bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet. First floor: Two double bedrooms, each with 4ft 9in bed and TV, one with additional single sofa-bed (for +1), one with French windows opening onto small balcony overlooking this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with over-bath shower, shower cubicle and toilet.

The Hawthorns, Battle, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 6
Weekly price range £600 to £899

Self catering accommodation in Battle sleeps 6.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Golf nearby • Pub nearby • Detached • Sleeps 6

Accommodation overview: Set on the road between Battle and Hastings, this detached holiday cottage has stunning views from its garden and conservatory across the valley towards Sedlescombe. Visit the local vineyards – Carr Taylor, a family estate producing fine English wines or Sedlescombe, England’s oldest organic vineyard. On the edge of Battle, explore the imposing abbey and discover the site of the most famous conflict in England. Visit Yesterday’s World or follow the 1066 country walk from Pevensey via the historic Battle site to Rye. Coast 5 miles. Golf, riding, spa with beauty/holistic therapies ½ mile. Shop and mainline station to London (1½ hours) is ¾ mile. Pub ¼ mile.

Entrance lobby at front and rear. Step up to beamed living room with gas ‘coal-effect’ fire in inglenook fireplace. Step up to beamed dining room with ornamental fireplace. Beamed kitchen/breakfast room with tiled floor. Conservatory. Recreation room. Step up to separate toilet. First floor: Two double bedrooms; one beamed, one with views to Sedlescombe. Beamed twin bedroom. Bathroom with separate shower cubicle and toilet.

Sunnymead Cottages - Russets, High Hurstwood, East Sussex, South East England

Sleeps 2
Weekly price range £300 to £599

Self catering accommodation in High Hurstwood sleeps 2.

Features include: • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview: Sunnymead Cottages (ref PGZ and PHA) are situated in the High Weald village of High Hurstwood, which is an AONB. Set in a verdant landscape of undulating pastures, they provide a peaceful retreat, ideal for exploring a region steeped in history. Converted to a very high standard and adjoining one another, they lie at the end of 220 yards of private drive, amid 12 acres of gardens and orchards in the grounds of the owners’ home, each enjoying its own garden area in which to sit out and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. For a truly memorable experience, the nearby Bluebell Steam Railway makes frequent journeys from Sheffield Park, with its period railway station. A great day out can also be enjoyed in Ashdown Forest, under two miles away and a refuge for wildlife. It offers great opportunities for walking, riding and picnics. If guests do not feel like taking the car out, there is direct access onto a public footpath just outside the garden and the Vanguard Way is only 10 minutes’ walk away. Local wines can be sampled at various vineyards in the vicinity. There is easy access to many historic houses, Glyndebourne Opera House, the famous spa town Tunbridge Wells and 1066 country. There is also much to see along the coast where trendy shops, bars and restaurants beckon in Brighton and Eastbourne. The nearest station is only 6 minutes’ drive with direct access to London in just over one hour. Shop 2 miles, pub serving good food just a 5-minute walk.