Sunday, February 28, 2016

Ockenden Manor provides the perfect antidote to city life

  • Ockenden Manor is nestled in the fairly Tudor village of Cuckfield. It has actually its own natural underground spring
  • The spring water feeds a spa along with an outdoor hot tub, two pools and their walk-through rainforest shower
  • It is surrounded by nine acres of beautiful gardens, along with glorious views across the West Sussex countryside  

Emine Sinmaz For Mailonline

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If the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day grind has actually left you feeling worn-out, you might be fantasising concerning jetting off to a far-flung destination.

But practicalities enjoy work, booking expensive weekend flights, and day to day obligations don’t constantly enable for this.

Thankfully, there is a closer-to-estate option perfect for those that don’t have actually time to holiday. Ockenden Manor’s ‘A 24-hour escape from London’ package comes along with a ready-earned itinerary – decision-making can easily be so shattering – of unwinding activities which ought to see you all set to take the globe on again by breakfast the next morning.

Just over an hour¿s drive from London, Ockenden Manor itself is a charming Elizabethan house, surrounded by nine acres of beautiful gardens, with glorious views across the West Sussex countryside to the South Downs

Just over an hour’s drive from London, Ockenden Manor itself is a charming Elizabethan house, surrounded by nine acres of beautiful gardens, along with glorious views across the West Sussex countryside to the South Downs

Nestled in the West Sussex countryside in the pretty Tudor village of Cuckfield, this country house hotel also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa

Nestled in the West Sussex countryside in the fairly Tudor village of Cuckfield, this country residence hotel additionally boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa

Nestled in the West Sussex countryside in the fairly Tudor village of Cuckfield, this country residence hotel additionally boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa.

I turned up along with three equally-stressed pals in tow, eager to savour the ‘serious me-time’ which the spa promised would certainly leave us ‘returning to the city refreshed and all set for the next challenge’.

Just over an hour’s drive from London, Ockenden Manor itself is a charming Elizabethan house, surrounded by nine acres of beautiful gardens, along with glorious views across the West Sussex countryside to the South Downs.

The charm of the manor is accentuated by the modern spa complex which sits alongside it, and visitors have actually the option of staying in whichever much better matches their mood. We opted for the clean and contemporary white spa, where we immediately headed to our rooms to kick off our shoes, and dive in to our robes.

The open-strategy spa suite, which was large and light, However punctuated along with a few dashes of deep colour, had a calm However sumptuous feel. Our hands-down favourite element, however, was that the bathroom had shutters which opened up onto the bedroom, meaning we could delight in a wonderful view of the stunning countryside from the roll top bathtub or walk-in shower.

It has its own natural underground spring, which feeds a spa with an outdoor hot tub, two pools and their walk-through rainforest shower

It has actually its own natural underground spring, which feeds a spa along with an outdoor hot tub, two pools and their walk-through rainforest shower

There's a modern spa complex next to the more traditional manor and guests can choose between the two In the spa, there's also a floatation tank

There’s a modern spa complex next to the much more traditional manor and guests can easily go for between the two. In the spa, there’s additionally a flotation tank

After settling in, we hit the spa, which boasts an outdoor hot tub and a huge pool flooded by natural light thanks to floor to ceiling windows. It additionally has actually a walk-through rainforest shower (all fed by Ockenden’s own natural underground spring), as well as a sauna, steam room, fully equipped gym and floatation room.

Next it was time for our treatments. I enjoyed an ‘energising and detoxifying’ physique scrub and a facial dubbed ‘Rainforest Rejuvenation Face Therapy’ from organic brand ila.

The former was a scrub-come-massage, which at times, felt enjoy tiny creatures were crawling over my skin. I’m not sure if it ‘stimulated the lymphatic system, aided circulation and eliminated toxins’ as billed, However it definitely left my skin feeling silky smooth.

The facial, which uses Amazonian plant extracts, was equally as as luxurious and indulgent.

After hours of pampering it was time to discuss our treatments over a pre-dinner aperitif while perusing Ockenden’s impressive menu.

On offer was hand dived scallops or estate smoked mackerel to start, and every little thing from venison and partridge for mains.

The Michelin-starred restaurant offered everything from hand dived scallops or home smoked mackerel to start, and everything from venison and partridge for mains

The Michelin-starred restaurant offered every little thing from hand dived scallops or estate smoked mackerel to start, and every little thing from venison and partridge for mains

We indulged in three courses of gastronomic bliss. Our celebration started along with scallops, which were served along with smoked salmon and Savoy cabbage, and homemade ravioli.

This was followed by seabass for me – which was served alongside braised chicory, onion purée, forestière sauce-and Newhaven landed cod for my friends.

For dessert, I opted for the poached pear which came alongside delicious servings of cinnamon crumble, toffee sauce, honeycomb, fudge and pear sorbet.

After clearing our plates, we sank in to bed after an exhausting day of being pampered.

The buffet breakfast the next morning was not up to the standard of dinner, However we left the manor feeling fabulous after being cocooned in a cosy bubble, even for such a short time.

TRAVEL FACTS 

Ockenden Manor‘s 24 hour escape from London starts from £495 based on two people sharing a standard room and includes dinner, breakfast, an hour’s spa treatment, an isopod floatation tank session and a fitness class each (Yoga, Pilates, Zumba or Nordic strolling depending on day and availability). 

For further short article please telephone 01444 416111 



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