Gravetye Manor, West Hoathly, West Sussex

Besides the gardens, the vintage Bluebell Railway, several National Trust properties and Glyndebourne Opera can be visited easily. Gravetye is also handy for Gatwick.

Gravetye Manor is located in West Sussex and is surrounded by landscaped gardens. It is a short drive from the town of East Grinstead.
By car: Gravetye is around 35 miles from central London (1.5 hours), about 75 miles (2 hours) from Southampton and 145 miles from Bristol (2 hours 45 mins). The hotel has parking, and two electric vehicle charging points.
By rail: London Victoria to East Grinstead takes under an hour. East Grinstead is an eight-minute taxi ride away. trainline.com.

The hotel is formal without being stuffy, and the traditional look has been wonderfully cast aside in the beautiful glass-sided restaurant with spotlit tables. Garden-lovers and foodies are in for a particular treat, but Gravetye would be perfect for any romantic break or special occasion. The melding of the garden with the pastel-green banquettes and huge floral watercolours inside the restaurant make for a pretty, airy atmosphere.

Garden-lovers and foodies are in for a particular treat but Gravetye would be perfect for any romantic break or special occasion.

A bottle of water and shortbread biscuits for the journey home is a thoughtful touch.

• Gardens
• Michelin-starred restaurant
• Bar
• Parking
• Room service
• Laundry
• Wi-Fi

We love the small extra touches, which include daily papers, a spectacles-cleaning cloth left at turndown, and the gardening books around the room. Our favourite room is Walnut (an exclusive deluxe room), which has a padded window seat from which to view the garden while reading William Robinson's Gravetye Diary.

Classic Room, Deluxe Room, Exclusive Deluxe Room, Robinson and Gravetye Suite
Facilities include: garden views, ensuite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, TV & docking station, twin and double beds

Under head chef George Blogg, Gravetye serves up homegrown produce with flair but without pretension. The light rhubarb soufflé made with homegrown fruit is melt-in-the-mouth perfect.

The Dining Room: Michelin-starred, kitchen garden produce, seasonal menu. Menus available from £48 for three courses. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.