The Hotel Guru
13 Best Hotels near Glyndebourne

13 Best Hotels near Glyndebourne

Glyndebourne’s beautiful location helps make it such a special place to experience great art, but it’s also a pretty inconvenient place to get to and from. To help make the most of your Glyndebourne experience why not stay over in one of our Guru recommended best hotels near Glyndebourne? Great hotels in the area are in hot demand during the festival, so our Gurus have cast their nets widely when it comes to selecting the best hotels near Glyndebourne, but a night in any of these charmers will certainly add to your experience.

For Romantics

The Star Alfriston is the newest addition to the Polizzi Collection, and as with any member of this hotel group, you can expect fabulous interiors and exceptional service. The property has roots dating back to the 15th century and so as well as country chic wallpapers and fabrics, you can expect beamed ceilings, huge fireplaces and wonky floors aplenty! The restaurant is superb and there's a lovely courtyard for balmy summer evenings. Elegant, understated and very romantic!
Gravetye Manor, near West Hoathly, is a traditional English country house hotel converted from a charmingly grand Elizabethan stone manor. Its 17 rooms and suites offer cosy country elegance, complete with country garden views, wood panelling and four-poster beds, the restaurant has a Michelin star, and the lawns, with their croquet hoops, complete with picture. Charm and romance against a backdrop of old fashioned hospitality and service.
Wingrove House is a charmingly converted boutique hotel on the South Downs Way, with 12 elegant, simply furnished rooms, and welcoming lawns. There’s a cosy restaurant specialising in British fare, plus a fire-lit lounge, both the perfect places to retire to after a walk, or the opera. Adults only.

For a Country House Hotel

The Buxted Park Hotel is a grand, Palladian mansion turned 44 room country house hotel. Just outside Uckfield, this gracious pile feels grand, enduring and romantic, and is surrounded by three hundred acres of stunning grounds, including three lakes, a deer park, and a walled garden. The restaurant is fine dining, modern British style, and they offer cookery classes and courses too.
The Ashdown Park Hotel is further away, in Ashdown Forest — home to Winnie the Pooh — but it’s a glorious 19th century mansion with an incredible range of facilities on offer, and 186 acres of landscaped grounds, so why not make a proper holiday of it? Play a round of golf or game of tennis, tackle the mountain biking trails, use the pool or hot tub, or eat at the award-winning restaurant before attending Glyndebourne. It has 106 rooms and suites in an excellent range of sizes and shapes.

For a House Party Atmosphere

For an experience more like staying at a friend's beautiful country pile than being a hotel guest, Old Whyly near East Hoathly is one of the best hotels near Glyndebourne. Just ten minutes away, this listed, manor house has just three luxurious bedrooms, plus a heated pool and tennis court. And the owner, a Paris-trained cook, will prepare a picnic for you to take to Glyndebourne.
Saltmarsh is a cosily converted farmhouse in the heart of the 700-acre Seven Sisters Country Park. It has just six rooms, all simple and stylish, with polished wood floors and cast iron beds. The restaurant serves wholesome, homely choices. The perfect escape, for families, couples or groups, because you could easily book out all six rooms.

For a Rural Escape

The Flint Barns at Rathfinny Estate are a collection of rooms and suites in a converted outbuilding of the Rathfinny Estate vineyard; so you’re surrounded by vines in the foreground, and views of the South Downs behind. There are just ten rooms, all different shapes and sizes, but all featuring the exposed stone of the old building, with whitewash and contemporary details. There’s no restaurant, but they offer breakfast, and plenty of wine and charm.
The Blue Door Barns, in Beddingham, are a collection of converted barns, made cosy and stylish with vintage finds, retro-furniture, throws and warm lighting. There are just four barns, sleeping between two and four - book The Lodge for family-sized living space too. There’s no restaurant, but you do have your own kitchens or kitchenettes, and they offer breakfast. And you’re most welcome to get a barbecue going in the pretty courtyard.
The Ram Inn is a traditional pub, with plenty of quaint charm in the heart of the South Downs National Park. In addition to its fire-lit restaurant, it has five elegant bedrooms tucked away in the eves. You might be expecting them to be as quaint as the pub, but they’re not: beams are whitewashed or sanded back, red-brick is exposed, and the hardwood floors are all new.

For Great Value

The Griffin Inn at Fletching is a very popular village gastropub-with-rooms. As well as the convivial pub atmosphere and excellent kitchen, The Griffin has wonderful views over the Ouse Valley, and its 13 rooms are upstairs, so have even better views. A number of rooms have four-poster beds if you fancy something a bit special.
The Bull, East Sussex is a smart local pub (with-rooms), with an excellent restaurant and its own brewery. The pub dates from the 16th century, so has plenty of ye olde worlde charm, and the rooms upstairs have been dressed in a mix of styles, so have a look at them all before you pick one. And all importantly it’s in Ditchling in the South Downs National Park, about ten miles from Glyndebourne.

B&Bs Near Glyndebourne

White Lodge B&B is a chic hideaway in a charmingly green part of East Sussex about 15 minutes from Glyndebourne. This is a modern house conversion, and the rooms are contemporary in style, with hardwood floors, dark-wood furniture and huge bathrooms with rain showers. There’s lounging space on the roof, and they offer a great breakfast.

Still not sure where to book?

You could browse our recommendations for the best places to stay in East Sussex
But quite a number of people opt to stay in Brighton in particular
Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.
- The Star Alfriston Alfriston, East Sussex 30 rooms from €242
  
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  Local exploring  -  Alfriston is a great base for exploring the surrounding Sussex countryside and coast
  Great walks  -  This is fabulous walking country, with paths leading from the property in all directions
  Sights nearby  -  Brighton with its beach, shops and much more is a short drive
  Restaurant  -  Tim Kensett from The River Cafe is head chef
  
  A stunning new property from the Polizzi stable in the charming village of Alfriston. This historic coaching inn has undergone a total revamp and now offers beautiful country chic accommodation, bar, restaurant and courtyard for all day dining. A glorious rustic escape and ideal for Glyndebourne. See More
  
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- Old Whyly Lewes, East Sussex 3 rooms from €113
  
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  Garden  -  Attractive outside space.
  Swimming Pool  -  Outdoor Pool
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  House party feel  -  Be prepared to meet people.
  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
  
  Listed manor house set in beautiful gardens with heated pool and tennis court. Luxury B & B with antiques and a house party feel. Dinners can be arranged. Good base for Glyndebourne. See More
  
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- Gravetye Manor East Grinstead, West Sussex 17 rooms from €300
  
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  Romantic Break  -  Grand period country house - utterly charming for a couple's getaway
  Foodies  -  The restaurant holds one Michelin star
  Fishing  -  Boasts a 3 acre lake for fly fishing
  Great walks  -  A range of wonderful local walks
  Recommended by  -  Relais & Chateaux, Michelin Travel
  
  An Elizabethan gem of timeless comforts, with fine wood panelled bedrooms, four poster beds and an exceptional garden. Old fashioned hospitality with modern standards. Independently owned with Michelin starred cooking and lots of outdoor activities. See More
  
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- Ashdown Park Hotel East Grinstead, East Sussex 106 rooms from €229
  
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  Swimming Pool  -  Indoor
  Traditional
  Great walks  -  Good for walkers.
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Recommended by  -  Small Luxury Hotels, Michelin Travel
  
  Country house hotel with excellent facilities for the whole family in Ashdown Forest. Acres of parkland, spa facilities, golf course, tennis courts. Award-winning restaurant with forest views. See More
  
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- Griffin Inn Fletching, East Sussex 13 rooms from €104
  
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  Restaurant - Recommended.
  Views - Lovely garden views over Sheffield Park
  Full of character
  
  Very popular village gastropub with excellent food and 13 comfortable rooms, many with 4 posters, in picturesque Fletching, with fabulous views over the Ouse valley. Ideal for families. See More
  
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- Blue Door Barns Lewes BN8 6JY, East Sussex 4 rooms from €111
  
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  Local exploring  -  The hotel is in a great location for exploring the sea and the South Downs, as well as being close to the buzz of Brighton
  Country Escape  -  Located in a tranquil setting in the Sussex countryside, this hotel makes a great escape from the city
  Families  -  Book a self-catering lodge for great living space for all the family
  Sights nearby  -  Visit the charming market town of Lewes, nearby Glyndebourne or Brighton, all within easy distance of the hotel
  Recommended by  -  I Escape
  
  This cottage hotel offers accommodation in converted barns in the Sussex countryside. Guestrooms are homely, with cosy throws and vintage-style furnishings; book the lodge for family-sized living space. Unwind with a massage before getting a barbecue going in the garden; an inviting country escape. See More
  
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- The Ram Inn Lewes, East Sussex 6 rooms from €150
  
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  Country Escape  -  Cosy rooms, roaring fires, hearty cuisine, and good ales all within the South Downs National Park. Rural perfection
  Great walks  -  There's easy access to over 100 miles of walking trails along the South Down way
  Restaurant  -  Modern British served in the restaurant
  Minimum Stay  -  Two nights at the weekend
  
  A quaint traditional pub with a handful of comfortable rooms in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Modern British food is served in the firelit restaurant. Characterful rooms, located in the eves, have sloped beamed ceilings, whitewashed walls, and antiques. An ideal spot for a rural break. See More
  
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- Buxted Park Hotel Buxted, East Sussex 44 rooms from €109
  
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  Sights nearby  -  Close to Ashdown Forest and the famous Winnie the Pooh bridge, Hever Castle and Wakehurst Gardens
  Restaurant  -  Fine dining with a focus on modern British cuisine
  Cooking classes  -  Check for timings.
  Traditional
  
  Palladian mansion, now a luxury country house hotel close to Uckfield. Ideal for a relaxing country getaway and close to sights such as Hever Castle and Wakehurst Gardens. 2 AA Rosette standard modern British cuisine and cookery classes too. See More
  
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- White Lodge B&B East Sussex 3 rooms from €115
  
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  Total relaxation  -  A small, yet luxurious, country property set in tranquil rural surrounds.
  Great walks  -  Situated right on the South Downs National Park, there are glorious walks starting straight from the house.
  Sights nearby  -  Visit the historic castle town of Lewes.
  Restrictions on children  -  Adult only
  
  A chic rural hideaway in a charming area of East Sussex. Contemporary rooms feature parquet flooring, dark wooden furniture and spacious bathrooms with walk-in rain showers. A stylish rooftop lounge is the perfect spot to sip an evening drink and indulgent breakfasts are served. Fabulous. See More
  
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- The Bull, East Sussex East Sussex 6 rooms from €138
  
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  Local exploring  -  A great launchpad from which to explore East Sussex including nearby Brighton.
  Great walks  -  Drive to the nearby coastline and go for lovely walks along the beaches and headlands.
  Sights nearby  -  Go into Brighton for the day and explore Britain's most famous seaside town.
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  
  A smart 16th century pub with rooms, The Bull has long been a firm favourite for locals and travellers alike. Lively and vibrant, it features six chic bedrooms, an excellent restaurant and beer from their own brewery. The Bull is a great option for people looking to explore East Sussex. See More
  
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- Wingrove House Alfriston, East Sussex 12 rooms from €127
  
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  Country Escape  -  Close to London find a luxury country house complete with excellent food, roaring fires and fabulous walks.
  Great walks  -  Find miles of walking trails through Cuckmere and the glorious South Downs.
  Restrictions on children  -  Adult only
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  Recommended by  -  Sawdays
  
  An impeccably designed boutique country house set right on the South Downs Way. Simply furnished rooms are elegant and spacious with soft hues, chandeliers and contemporary bathrooms. A cosy restaurant serves up excellent modern British fare and drinks are served in the fire lit lounge See More
  
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- Flint Barns at Rathfinny Estate East Sussex 10 rooms from €115
  
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  Country Escape  -  Expect all you could want from a country escape including great walks, cosy accomodation and a warm welcome.
  Great walks  -  The property lies just a short stroll from the beautiful South Downs Way.
  Remote  -  Off the beaten track.
  Secluded setting  -  For escaping.
  Recommended by  -  Sawdays
  
  A contemporary retreat situated on a stunning South Downs vineyard. The handful of rooms vary in size but all are cleanly designed with exposed stone sitting against white washed walls, cast iron beds and crisp white linen. With plenty of activities in the area this is the perfect rural escape. See More
  
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- Saltmarsh West Dean, East Sussex 5 rooms from €173
  
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  Groups  -  With its five rooms, atmospheric dining room, and secluded location — this is ideal to rent in its entirety with a group
  Country Escape  -  Set within the heart of the 700-acre Seven Sisters Country Park, this is a lovely rural hideaway
  Families  -  If you are looking for a laidback spot where the kids can run wild — this is it
  Great walks  -  There are a wide network of walking trails whether you want an amble or something a little more challenging
  
  A charming converted farmhouse set in the heart of the 700-acre Seven Sisters Country Park. Five rooms are simple yet stylish, with polished wood floors, cast iron beds, and nice touches like freshly cut flowers. Homemade food is served in a candlelit dining room. A gorgeous rural hideaway. See More
  
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