Last Updated on March 29, 2026
Fine dining and countryside views just 1.5 hours from London
I prayed to the Gods of the M25 to be kind to us as we headed off for a culinary weekend away to South Lodge Hotel near Horsham. I’d filled the tank just in case of trouble at Clacket Lane Services. I’ve no idea where that is, but from traffic updates over the years, I know it’s en route to Gatwick, and Horsham is near Gatwick, so…
I needn’t have worried. It was the most delightful drive in the late-afternoon sun, with not a minute’s delay. By 5.30 pm, we were both marvelling at the giant rhododendron on the front lawn, and by 6.15 pm, we were sitting on the deck overlooking the little lake out back on our very discreet, cosy patio, sipping Black Forest Martinis.
South Lodge Park is set within 92 acres of stunning countryside, sitting between Bolney and Horsham in West Sussex. There is plenty to do in the area, but you won’t want to leave. Everything here is effortlessly easy and draws you into a luxurious blanket, starting with the accommodation.
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Lakeside Lodges at The Reeds
The six Lakeside Lodges tucked away from the main house in a car-free area known as ‘The Reeds’ are a quick 5-minute buggy ride away from the main house, just past the newly planted vineyard. Each one is on the water’s edge but set back just enough that nobody can really see in. A good thing too if you’re to make full use of the double copper bath on the patio.
The décor felt luxurious and botanically inspired. An enormous palm by the floor-to-ceiling patio doors brought the outdoors in, plenty of cushions on the circular sofa allowed maximum flopping on the sofa in front of the fire, and the mezzanine bedroom made it all even more isolated.
The kitchen is well equipped with a KitchenAid kettle, a coffee machine of course and every type of glass you may need for your champagne, martini, whisky or gin. The wardrobe has dry robes to use if you fancy a (supervised) wild swim in the lake or – as we did – a snuggle under the star-filled sky sipping on the complimentary bottle of Ridgeview English sparkling wine and nibbling on the also complimentary grazing snacks.
And in the morning, if you can’t face waiting 2 minutes for the buggy to pick you up for breakfast, simply order the hamper the night before and pick up from the hatch by the front door.
Michelin Dining at The Pass by Ben Wilkinson
There are three choices for dinner. Camellia, which is the hotel’s main restaurant with 3 AA Rosettes. Botanica in the Spa. More on that later. And The Pass. A newly refurbished Michelin-starred restaurant situated in the heart of the kitchen. The idea is that you can watch the team in the kitchen as you enjoy the tasting menu. Some tables didn’t quite give you a full view like our vantage point, so it’s worth calling to check if you’re the kind of person – like me – who likes to know how that bit got there on the plate.
The seven-course tasting menu with snacks is £150 per person, and the accompanying five-glass wine pairing is £95 per person.
We started with three snacks, with the tuna tartare tartlette being the one I could have eaten a basketful of. The sommelier kindly bought us one more each.
I was excited to see Louet-Feisser Oysters on the menu. These are from Carlingford Lough – a sea inlet in North Eastern Ireland, bringing nutrients and a distinct flavour with each tide. I was expecting, and would have liked, a raw oyster with the turnip, fermented grains, dulse and caviar on top. I personally like the taste of oysters, so the beautifully presented creamy oyster soup in the shell was a bit of an initial disappointment. I should have had more faith. It really was an extremely pleasing mouthful.
Next up was Pickled Celeriac, Hen of the Woods and Truffle, followed by Turbot with Leeks, Baby King Oyster Mushrooms, Mussels and a Ridgeview Sparling Wine Velouté and then Stone Bass, White Asparagus, Spinach, Morel and Truffle Velouté. Each course was presented by Ben or one of the chefs in the team with a little light banter on the side.
We skipped the cheese course, which is an additional £20 for 3 cheeses, and so moved swiftly on to the first of the sweet dishes – Kumquat, Fromage Blanc, Grains of Paradise (think black pepper with a hint of citrus) and Lemon Thyme. A lot is going on here, but as with all the other dishes by Ben, the tastes of each ingredient come through in layers. Except the finale – Chocolate Delice with Caramel Vanilla Ice Cream and Pedro Ximenez. Oh my. What an ending. I am not normally a fan of chocolate-based puddings, but this was a winner. Especially served with a Cantina di Negrar Valpolicella DOC Classico, which my husband managed to find online and order before the petit fours were even on the table.
This was a memorable tasting menu. The pace was slow and measured. The food was precise and thoughtfully curated on the crockery, which provided it with the right platform to shine visually as well as on your palate.
A Sunny Day at The Spa
We forgot to draw the curtains and so woke up gently at dawn with the birdsong. Nature’s alarm allowed us to make full use of the double bath on the patio before breakfast despite the freezing temperatures outside. There is something decadent about being submerged in a bubble bath, watching the ice melting across the fields as the morning sun warms it up. It was a good taster for the Sunday we had planned at the on-site spa.
The brochure describes the Spa at South Lodge as ‘44,000 square feet of pure bliss‘, and frankly, it is. You are simply immersed in nature from all directions. The sauna, indoor pool, relaxation space, and outdoor infinity-edge pool all face out onto the grounds. There are ample loungers to soak up the sunshine, and it’s not full of hen parties cackling away or stags leaving their wet footprints and towels on the floor. Inside, expect botanically named lockers and Dyson hairdryers. Guests can check out at 11 am and remain at the Spa until 5 pm. This extends the whole weekend by what feels like days as you laze on the loungers far, far away from emails and rush hour.
Relaxed Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at Botanica
Situated within the spa complex, this restaurant is light and airy and zero-waste. Tick, tick. It has a Mediterranean-inspired menu with fish, meat and plant-based dishes to choose from. Tick, tick. It was the perfect place to end our stay.
I chose Parsley Gnocchi in Garlic Cream Sauce, Broccoli and Chive Onion Crumble. It was so good that I attempted to make it the following day at home. Not a bad attempt, but the chefs here make the gnocchi with that perfect chewiness that I can’t quite master. I also ordered Rosemary Fries as an afterthought to scarpetta up my sauce, and they came just in time with a knowing smile from the young waiter.
I had absolutely no space left for dessert, so we shall have to return for the likes of Black Forest Trifle with Chocolate Custard, Cherry Compote or Wild Blackberry Crème Brulee.
Note – guests can opt to have breakfast here, which includes juices and botanical tinctures made exclusively for the hotel by The Herball.
We worked off our lunch with a walk through the Rockery. You can also choose trails through the orchard, vineyards and woodlands. It’s very easy to feel lost in yourselves here. The greenery, the spacious and secluded lodges, the little spaces to sit mindfully are all worthy of a honeymoon-style break – or a 29th wedding anniversary celebration in our case.
If you did want to venture further out, you have Ridgeview and Bolney Wine Estates, South Downs National Park, Petworth House, Arundel Castle and of course Brighton nearby.
We were sad to leave but felt refreshed and energised returning to our London lives. It felt like a week away rather than a weekend. Time passes slowly when you don’t need to think about a thing. The weekend was delicious culinary perfection, much-needed isolation in nature, and romance dialled up to max.
Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PS
For general enquiries, call 01403 891711
Bookings at The Pass by Ben Wilkinson can also be made online
For more weekend inspiration, try A Culinary Trip to The Three Fishes in Ribble Valley or The Rock Inn, Waterrow, Somerset
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