Sussex

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



One thing West Sussex isn’t short of is vineyards, but locations where you can stay overnight and that have a luxury edge, aren’t quite as plentiful. This is why <a href="https://ashlingpark.co.uk/">Ashling Park</a> stands out in serious style. You can enjoy fine dining, wine tasting, even gin making and then collapse into an arm chair at your private lodge and no one has to drive home. Sign us up.



Perfectly placed between West Wittering and the South Downs and just a 10 minute cab journey from Chichester station, Ashling Park has thought of every last luxe detail to help you relax, from the window seat in the bedrooms to the terrace overlooking the vines. Formerly a hay meadow, the land was always destined for greatness or should that be grapeness? Ahem. After WWII, the 25 acre estate was given to Viscount Portal (second in command to Winston Churchill) as a gift from the nation for his efforts during the war. But in 2017, it had a new fate when Gail Gardner convinced her parents (who owned the land) to plant 20,000 vines and see if they could flourish in a cool climate and chalky soil. Local wine enthusiasts already know, it most certainly did work. Sussex is spot on for making English Sparkling and Ashling Park wines have the awards to prove it.



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Not content with stopping there, plans for a coffee shop are actively underway and walk ins are very much invited. Whether you fancy a coffee in the beautiful setting before stocking up at the shop, or, if you’re on a local hike and in the mood for a tasting &#8211; you’re also encouraged to stop by.&nbsp;



Muddy doesn’t need any encouragement though, it was straight to check in for us.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



After bombing it down from Brighton, the entrance to Ashling Park looked incredibly grand, like gates to a palace, (which it exactly how we like things) but it was rather a sharp left turn for Muddy &#8211; luckily no one was behind me &#8211; and the exact same for Muddy’s plus one. Nice to know we make friends with people with the same driving ‘talent’. But while the vineyard takes things to the next level, there’s not even a whiff of pretension, it’s very relaxed and really rather warm. Impressive, as despite it being summer, you really couldn’t describe the day of our visit as ‘warm’. The staff even apologised for the weather, not that it mattered, we had a gorgeous log burner in the lodge and a fridge stocked full of wine &#8211; no complaints here.



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The flat vineyard certainly has a South African look, and it did feel as if we were abroad. The vines sit in straight rows and are cocooned by thick woodland ensuring it looks suitably pretty. You’re enclosed in a little magical space and it truly feels as if you’re escaping the outside world. There are oak trees on the estate who’ve been keeping an eye on things for 250 years, wow. But you can keep a lookout on the covered balcony or take up residency on one of the many outside tables. Pops of colour are provided by the plants, Muddy just wishes she could name them all, lets just say they really took things to the next level of elegance. And that’s before we got onto the wine. Even in the light rain things looked beautiful and we’d happily enjoy a glass or two indoors looking out at the view. 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



Time sort of stands still here. As it rightly should. Muddy wasted no time in ordering a bottle of the Cuvée and after a lot of great conversation, we realised the hours had passed by at speed. Not that we need to care! The wine was smooth and something you can take your time to enjoy without feeling the effects in the moment or, thankfully the next day!



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There’s a fine dining restaurant serving lunch and dinner with a focus on farm to fork dining with dishes that showcase ingredients from the estate from the honey to produce from the kitchen gardens well as of course the wine. You can order a basket of treats to your lodge and Bosham Co-op is a five minute drive away or you can do it like Muddy and head to Waitrose, within 10 minutes we were there and stocked up on snacks to indulge in for the night.



The timings for breakfast seemed a little restrictive being served from 9-10am but once we realised the first wine tour starts at 10.30am it all clicked into place. After a vegetarian breakfast with a strong coffee and some delicious sourdough toast as well as friendly service, we were invited to take part in the first wine tour of the day. There are two a day in the peak season from Thursday to Sunday and if you start early you can make the most of the day after that. 



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Wine tours kick off on the balcony to admire the impressive view with a glass of rosé, Ashling Park wines have a smooth, clean and crisp feel. Our guide, Dylan, warmly welcomed questions so was happy to explain what made the wines so gorgeously gentle.



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We then walked through the vines as Dylan explained what makes Ashling Park unique. He shared lots of information about the natural wine making processes, about the grapes grown there, chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier as well as how they avoid too many preservatives and that the trees shelter the vines while the sea breeze helps balance the elements.&nbsp; He’ll go as in depth as you desire, if you want to know about pruning, or the history of the land he’ll explain it all.&nbsp;



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After a brief pop into the gin room, where cocktail making and gin making classes happen (note to self: must return for this) it’s off to Muddy’s favourite space, the tasting room. There&#8217;s a brief video on the wine making process before a little show and tell and finally, the tasting. There are three to try including the Classic Cuvée, Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. Sadly, Muddy had to drive back so it was just a sipping sort of affair but still a lovely experience. The estate also produces their own gin, vodka and rum which you can also sneak a little taste of.



You’re certainly in for a tasting treat here.&nbsp;



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</h2>



They’ve pulled out all of the stops when it comes to aesthetics, employing the skill of designer, Will Hardie, presenter of Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces, to design the lodges. The results? Beautiful accommodation complete with a window seat creating light, space and a secluded spot to curl up in. Which Muddy promptly did with a magazine and a cuppa. 



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Each lodge is themed around a stage of the wine cycle, we got lucky and had the harvest so lots of beautiful vines painted above the enormous bed with lovely sheets to cuddle up in. There were two dressing gowns (remember to bring your own slippers), fluffy white towels and a beautiful roll top bath. You’ll have to hold the shower head when you wash, but this place was designed for soaking up some hours in the tub.



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There’s a small kitchen space to make teas and coffee as well as a toaster and microwave and fridge generously stocked full of wine. If you fancy it, there’s a large TV but we popped on the log burner and spent time on our private terrace.  



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Best of all while sitting on the terrace you get a great view of the numerous bunnies who seem to love live here. The lodges are dog friendly and we had two spaniels with us who had the time of their lives chasing the rabbits. Thankfully they weren’t successful, and we admired seeing the fluffy tails bouncing about.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



Around a 10 minute drive away is Chichester with its shops, cathedral and pretty harbour. For a family day out try the <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/weald-downland-living-museum-singleton/">Weald and Downland Open Air Living Museum</a> where The Repair Shop is filmed. Although if you’re as much of a beach addict as Muddy, you’ll spend your time at the sandy dunes of West Wittering beach. Just 20 minutes away is Arundel which has a beautiful castle and plenty of antique shops where you’ll want to spend all of your cash. 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for: Parents needing a night away from the kids, you can really relax in your lodge with wine. Or a mixed group where everyone can have their own space to stay while enjoying excellent food and incredible wine and coming together for a tour of gin making class.&nbsp;



Not for: If you’re not a fan of wine you may not be quite as impressed, but we can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want to visit. 



<a style="font-style: italic" href="http://ashlingpark.co.uk">Ashling Par</a><a href="https://ashlingpark.co.uk/">k</a>, West Ashling Chichester, PO18 9DJ

Vineyards you can stay overnight at: Muddy reviews Ashling Park, near Chichester

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