Entire home

Spacious East Sussex retreat with tennis court, hot tub, and room for 20

Photo gallery for Spacious East Sussex retreat with tennis court, hot tub, and room for 20

Aerial view of the manor and estate revealing the scale of the grounds and countryside beyond.
Sink into the private hot tub as sunloungers and sweeping lawns stretch out before you.
A full-size tennis court set among the trees for active group days outdoors.
Dine al fresco at the large group table on the sunny stone terrace beside the manor.
Four sofas gather around a grand brick fireplace for the cosiest of group evenings.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 24

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry room
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View map
Whitesmith, East Sussex, Lewes
  • Place, Blackberry Farm Park
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Glyndebourne Opera House
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Brighton Beach
    ‪36 min drive‬
  • Airport, London (LGW-Gatwick)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 24)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed and 2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

Bedroom 6

1 King Bed

Common Spaces

+5
2 Double Beds and 7 Single Beds

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Spacious East Sussex retreat with tennis court, hot tub, and room for 20

Gildridge Country Estate — A Countryside Retreat for Gatherings, Getaways and Celebrations

Tucked away in the heart of the East Sussex countryside, Gildridge Country Estate is a spacious and welcoming home sleeping up to 20 guests. Perfect for family gatherings, milestone celebrations, or a relaxing weekend with friends, this charming property blends period character with modern comforts — all just 20 minutes from the coast.

Set on a private estate surrounded by rolling hills and walking trails, the house comes with a wealth of entertainment including a tennis court, private hot tub, croquet, and more. Whether you`re soaking in the bubbles or playing games in the garden, there`s something for everyone here.

Enjoy extra flexibility at GILDRIDGE ESTATE — Enjoy up to 2 hours of early check-in or late check-out with all direct bookings. Must be requested at time of booking. (Subject to availability)


At a Glance
- Accommodates up to 20 guests across 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
- Private hot tub
- Tennis court, croquet, table tennis, darts & more
- Parking for 4 cars (plus free parking on nearby lane)
- Dog-friendly
- Full payment is due 60 days before arrival and will be automatically charged to the card on file.
- Full refund if cancelled 60+ days before arrival.


Relax and Reconnect

Step inside to discover a home full of charm and character. From the original oak beams and decorative inglenook fireplaces to the large country kitchen and dining space that seats 20, every corner of Gildridge Country Estate is designed for comfort and connection.

The ground floor offers flexible living and socialising space, while the upstairs bedrooms provide a peaceful place to rest after a day of countryside adventures or coastal fun. The house is perfect for marking special occasions or simply spending time with the people you love.


Sleeping Arrangements:
6 Bedrooms (see floorplan)
Principal Bedroom - Super-king or 2 Single (3 ft)
Bedroom 2 - 1 x King bed x 2 singles (2.6 ft)
Bedroom 3 -
Bedroom 4 -
Bedroom 5 - Super-king or 2 Single (3 ft)
Bedroom 6 - Super-king or 2 Single (3 ft)
Living Room - 2 x double beds
Extra: 4 fold up beds available on request

All bed linen and towels are provided, and we offer additional beds for greater flexibility if needed.


The Kitchen and Dining

The kitchen is fully equipped with everything needed to cater for a large group, including a dishwasher, cooking utensils, and a generous fridge. Essentials such as dishwasher tablets, washing pods, coffee pods, instant coffee, tea and sugar are provided to get you started.

The adjoining dining room is made for gathering — comfortably seating up to 20 guests for breakfast, dinner, or a celebration feast.


Outdoor Living and On-Site Fun

The grounds of Gildridge are designed for laid-back outdoor living, whatever the season.

Access too:
- Private Hot Tub
- Tennis court with basketball net
- Football goal
- Brick BBQ
- Children’s climbing frame
- Table tennis, darts and croquet

Please note: Activities and facilities must be requested at least 48 hours in advance so we can prepare everything for your stay. Some facilities, including the tennis court and climbing frame, are shared with neighbouring properties.


Important Notes

- Due to insurance, log burners are not in use
- Fireworks are not permitted (due to animals nearby)
- Outdoor music is not allowed during quiet hours (9pm to 9am)
- Additional children allowed on request


Location

Gildridge Country Estate is located near the charming village of Chiddingly, just 1.75 miles away, with its traditional pub, village hall, and real Sussex charm.

Nearby Lewes (8 miles) is perfect for a day out, with cobbled streets, independent shops, and a medieval castle. You’re also close to the coast, with Eastbourne just 12 miles away and Brighton 15 miles — both offering beaches, shops, restaurants and lively seafront scenes.

Walkers and cyclists will find a web of trails in every direction, including routes through the South Downs National Park. After a day exploring, you’ll love returning to the peace and privacy of the estate.


Getting Here

We recommend travelling by car due to the rural setting. There is plenty of parking on-site and good road access. If you don’t drive, local taxi firms such as Lewes District Cars and Streamline Taxis in Brighton are reliable. Uber also operates in Brighton and Eastbourne.

Lewes train station is around 20 minutes away, with direct trains to London, Brighton, and Eastbourne.

Ready to Escape to the Country?

With room for up to 20 guests, dog-friendly grounds, and an unbeatable list of on-site facilities, Gildridge Country Estate offers a truly memorable stay in the Sussex countryside.


Booking Policy
- 50% of the total payment is charged at the time of reservation.
- The remaining 50% is charged 60 days prior to arrival.
- If payment fails, it must be completed within 24 hours or the reservation may be canceled.
- A £500 security deposit is required via a secure third‑party platform 2 days before arrival.
- The deposit will be refunded within 3 days after checkout.
- Upsells such as early check‑in, late check‑out, and add‑on packages are available to enhance your stay. Please note that all upsells are non‑refundable once booked.

Cancellation Policy
- A 50% refund is available if the reservation is canceled more than 60 days before arrival.
- No refund will be issued for cancellations made within 60 days of arrival.

Brought to you by @Gildridge Estate.
No smoking inside the property
Quiet hours outdoors from 9PM to 9AM
No fireworks or outdoor music
No pets or food in the hot tub
Guests must shower before using the hot tub
Extra guests above 16 incur additional charge
No sellotape or Blu-Tack on walls
Extra guests over 16 are charged at £70 per person per night.
Maximum 4 cars allowed to park on site. Extra cars are charged at £25 per night. There is plenty of free on street parking in Whitesmith Lane.

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About the area

Lewes

Located in Lewes, this holiday home is in a rural area. South Downs National Park and High Weald reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Knockhatch Adventure Park and Blackstock Farm. Travelling with kids? Consider Freedom Leisure Uckfield and Drusillas Park. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including wildlife walks.
Map
Whitesmith, East Sussex, Lewes

What's nearby

  • Blackberry Farm Park - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Glyndebourne Opera House - 13 min drive - 14.6 km
  • Brighton Marina - 35 min drive - 37.9 km
  • Brighton Beach - 36 min drive - 37.8 km
  • Brighton Pier - 37 min drive - 39.9 km

Getting around

  • Uckfield Buxted Station - 14 min drive
  • Gatwick Airport (LGW) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Highlands Pub - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Green Man - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Cricketers Cafe - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Lakeside Café - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪King's Head - ‬6 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 1 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 1 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura Ayesha N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were a large group and Gary was brilliant at helping to accommodate the extra people staying. They were always on call and our overall stay was very smooth. The property is brilliant, with loads to do on site. Having the tennis courts and jacuzzi were such an added bonus.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
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