Located down a long, country lane in Bepton on the outskirts of Midhurst, Park House consists of an attractive main building with other offshoot annexes housing the Spa, event space and additional accommodation. The hotel has been owned by the O’Brien family for three generations and retains the warm feeling of a gracious family home.

We arrived on a chilly February morning and were shown to the cosy lounge where we enjoyed coffee and warm pastries by the open fire.

The spa

After coffee we visited the spa, adjacent to the hotel and set in a gorgeous high beamed building with a mezzanine relaxation / reading area overlooking the pool and hot tub. There is also a gym and attractive outdoor pool. The spa, which is also open to day guests, has an excellent selection of treatments from standard manicures and facials to more elaborate rejuvenating offerings. We swam and bubbled in the hot tub then donned our robes to enjoy our treatments.

I had a wonderful pedicure to give my hard-working feet some love and a coat of bright polish ready for the spring. My therapist was friendly and experienced. Jeff said his massage was one of the best he’d ever had. I could still smell the wonderful essential oil spa smell on my skin long into the evening.

The hotel

The hotel has 23 individually decorated rooms, split between the main building and adjacent cottages. Décor is a nod to the quintessentially English with many rooms having private terrace or balconies with restful views over the Sussex countryside.

Accommodation can be configured for both large groups and smaller parties. There are family suites as well as dog-friendly cottages with access to secure garden areas. The hotel has it’s own resident dog, a handsome Labrador called Dennis, a well-mannered pooch who also features on the Park House Hotel’s social media accounts.

Afternoon tea

We took tea in the bright restaurant overlooking the gardens. We very much enjoyed the traditional three-tiers of tasty treats served with tea, coffee and, for me, a glass of local fizz. Every Tuesday should be like this!

For those looking for more active pursuits, the hotel has two grass tennis courts, croquet and grass bowls lawns and a golf course and they’re happy to lend out equipment so anyone can enjoy the facilities. There’s also a lovely outdoor pool open year round for cold water swimming in the winter.

If you enjoy a roast dinner then Park House offer a traditional Sunday Roast with all the trimmings. There’s a delightful terrace for when the weather is nice and families and groups are welcome and dogs can also join on the terrace.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day at Park House which felt like visiting a charming country retreat and the staff really made us feel welcome.

Tel: 01730 819000 or parkhousehotel.com