Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/8-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered house cottage sussex" class="wp-image-68260" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where-nbsp">WHAT? WHERE?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>West Sussex has some serious views, vineyards and well, heritage too. For those not au fait with the area, the <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/luxury-holiday-cottages-at-cowdray-estate-near-midhurst/">Cowdray Estate</a> in <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/best-places-to-live-midhurst/">Midhurst</a> takes pride of place in the South Downs &#8211; the castle ruins date back to the Tudor times but the estate &#8211; all 16,000 acres of it, has grown over the centuries and now houses a collection of charming cottages &#8211; all available for self-catered stays &#8211; as well as an award-winning farm shop and hosts the famous polo Gold Cup. The largest self-catering option in the portfolio is Challens Yarde (sleeps 8) formerly a wheelwrighter’s shop, the adorable double fronted cottage has enough history to fill a text book and plenty of charm and oodles of space (read: privacy) with a large private garden with outdoor seating, BBQ as well as footpath running right alongside it &#8211; so you can choose to be active on a local walk or collapse into an armchair with a book by the log fire. But, can it deliver on an overnighter? Muddy went to investigate.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/5-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered house cottage sussex" class="wp-image-68266" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/5-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/5-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/5-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/5-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Driving up the meandering country roads, excitement levels were peaking, as Muddy approached Challens Yarde and parked up on the large driveway (enough space for a few cars), it felt as if we were stepping into the pages of <em>Sense &amp; Sensibility </em>or at least onto the set of the film adaptation! Muddy’s historical inaccuracies aside, the main priority was to relax and soak up all of the charm and chill on offer.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It’s a self check in so while a little later than what Muddy was used to with an arrival time set from 4pm, it was entirely stress-free (bar my terrible navigating skills) there’s a key box and code, then into your dream home you go. While it’s a traditional cottage it’s incredible warm and the furnishings keep things cosy and comfortable with the all-essential fluffy white robes to cosy up in with a coffee made from the Nespresso machine with pods in plentiful supply.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/3-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered house cottage sussex" class="wp-image-68267" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/3-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/3-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/3-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/3-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Without sounding too woo or LA like here, the ‘energy’ is spot on, warm and inviting light shines throughout and the cool tones with warm accents to the interiors with plenty of natural wood create the perfect atmosphere for relaxing. There’s dog beds by the sofa (up to two pooches are permitted), great wifi, TV in every bedroom for a morning news update with curled up in bed. But the best sounds of all while Muddy resided at Challens Yarde was waking up to the birds singing, and not a creaky floorboard &#8211; the acoustics for an older building are surprisingly no existence so nature can take centre stage with the soundtrack.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There’s oodles of space, to be specific, four double bedrooms with king-sized beds (all of which incredibly comfy when Muddy had a little lay down on them, for work purposes of course), three have ensuites and the fourth room has its own bathroom next to it as well as a snug for cosy TV watching in view of the kitchen, ideal when preparing meals and plonking on the sofa while things cook &#8211; we all know the mid-cooking-to-sitting with family-then-getting-up-again dance! As well as a large lounge with log fire fit for board games, TV watching or for moody teens on their iPhones to escape pesky parents. Although we’ve no idea what those are. Ahem.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/4-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered house cottage stay sussex" class="wp-image-68268" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/4-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/4-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/4-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/4-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Muddy does like to bang on about the Cowdray Farm Shop and for good, perhaps excellent reason. It’s simply stocks everything every foodie could ever dream of. We’d happily remortgage to stock our larder fill of it’s gourmet goodies. But you don’t have to when staying on the estate as a welcome hamper has you covered &#8211; there’s a large chewy brown loaf waiting for us, eggs, South Downs butter and Cowdray marmalade. All delicious. You can stock up on meats, cheese, charcuterie, as well as delicious wines, oils, baked goods and luxury frozen items from the farm shop and prepare these in the fully stocked kitchen. There’s a large dishwasher (who wants to wash up on holiday?) As well as oven, cooker and plenty of utensils even weighing scales and Tupperware to store leftovers or take out for a picnic. There’s a large dining room as well as cosy kitchen table and seating in the garden plus a BBQ.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/1-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered stay cottage house sussex" class="wp-image-68279" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/1-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/1-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/1-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/1-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Want a night off from cooking? In selected months, the Cowdray Estate offers a wood fire pizza takeaway service. A little further along the road (the cottage has a large umbrella for any showers) is The White Horse that looked very inviting for a drink, although with a delicious bottle of wine waiting for us in the fridge at the cottage we poured a glass and sat by the fire. You can find out more about the estate’s foodie offerings fro afternoon tea to their caf<em>é</em> <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/cowdray-estate-midhurst/">here</a>. A little further afield is <a href="https://parkhousehotel.com/">Park House Hotel and Spa</a> which has a lovely restaurant about 10 minutes drive away. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered stay house cottage sussex" class="wp-image-68270" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When Muddy says comfy &#8211; she means it. Sleeping sandwiched between The White Company bedding was like being hugged inside a marshmallow &#8211; the back pain from the pervious day was gone after a night on their mattress. Come the morning, there’s no time to waste slipping into the comfy robe like a morning hug, then tip toeing downstairs before anyone else woke up to make some early morning coffee ok, and maybe steal a biscuit, or two, to have with it.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/7-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered stay house cottage sussex" class="wp-image-68274" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/7-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/7-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/7-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/7-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It was still a cold March day when Muddy visited but as mentioned, it was surprisingly warm in the cottage and hot water in plentiful supply from 5.30am-11pm, ideal if you were to get up super early for a run (Muddy didn’t as the wine made us a little less motivated shall we say). The little Cowdray accents throughout on the towels and robes give things a little layer of luxe as does the ILA toiletries. &nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/6-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered stay house cottage sussex" class="wp-image-68271" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/6-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/6-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/6-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For mixed groups, you can all have your own space and silence or noise if you so wish, you would never feel as if you’re getting on top of each other so there’s space for private calls, laptop work, or simply to stroll around the garden. There’s a boot room with plenty of storage and washing machine &#8211; incredibly useful for longer stays! Muddy could imagine the two lounges being useful in larger groups of mixed ages, but our highlight was looking out onto the garden full of smiling daffodils.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/03/5-2.jpg" alt="Cowdray estate" class="wp-image-68025" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/03/5-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/03/5-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/03/5-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You’d be mad not to take advantage of the well worn path that runs adjacent to the cottage, but if you fancy an adventure on two wheels you can have bikes delivered and collected from the cottage by local hire shop <a href="https://marmalademtb.com/">Marmalade MBT</a>. <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/cowdray-estate-midhurst/">The Cowdray Estate</a> has lots to offer from foraging to star gazing to the famous polo as well as a wander around the castle ruins and golf too. Also, close by is Goodwood and their notorious Festival of Speed and Revival events.&nbsp;Want something a little more low key? Head up the road to the town of Midhurst for some antique buying and window shopping or relax at the <a href="https://www.wistonestate.com/product/the-wiston-tour-and-tasting/">Wiston Estate</a> for a wine tasting. If you need to keep the kids active the bright lights of Chichester with its waterpark are not far away.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="self catered stay house cottage sussex" class="wp-image-68278" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/04/2-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>A countryside escape for large groups be it several families, multi-generational, work retreats with lots of outdoor pursuits available on the doorstep as well as food focused fun.</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>:&nbsp;Those with limited mobility may struggle with the stairs and some of the activities on offer. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.cowdray.co.uk/challens-yarde/">Challens Yarde</a>, Cowdray Estate, Midhurst, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AQ</em></p>



<p><strong>READ MORE</strong>: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/winter-supper-clubs-review-evening-dining-series-at-cowdray-farm-shop-cafe/">Muddy Reviews the Evening Dining Series at Cowdray Farm Shop Café</a></p>



<p><br></p>


Review: Challens Yarde, Cowdray Estate, Midhurst

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