Your West Midlands Wedding - Oct/Nov 2019 (Issue 64)

BOOK IT! The Jam Shed, mulberrycottages.com A fter tying the knot last year, we had a UK family-moon, it seemed funny getting hitched and celebrating ‘family’ and then jetting off on our own. There are so many wonderful places in Great Britain, with picture-perfect scenes – why go anywhere else? Sussex, a county I haven’t been to before, was stunning. The surroundings are naturally picturesque with rolling hills, foliage and fauna in abundance. It very much reminded us of Devon, yet half the distance for us from Essex which made this a rather appealing holiday location. On route to The Jam Shed, based in Plumpton, my husband, son and I stopped for a bite to eat at the Michelin-starred village pub as recommend by the The Jam Shed owners – it’s only a short walk from the property. It’s understandable why the Jolly Sportsman has become renowned, not just locally, as it offers delicious, award-winning cuisine in a rustic setting giving a truly satisfying dining experience. Fed, watered, and excited to see our accommodation for the weekend we drove into Plumpton. The village is a five-minute stroll down a country farm track which we walked every evening in the sun and popped to the shop for an ice cream, passing the horses in the fields – enjoyable for adults and children alike. Set in the grounds of the working farm, our charming ‘shed’ came into view, quaint and inviting, its peaceful location really left you feeling you could have been in the middle of nowhere – bliss! A gorgeous open-plan barn conversion with a relaxed, homely feel, we were charmed and in awe of this wonderful space which has been lovingly designed with contemporary colours and soft furnishings. Wooden floors and exposed beams give this property a rustic feel which you would expect reflecting its location; while the kitchen, bathroom and loft bedroom are modern in style yet complement the property’s overall aesthetic. The perfect bolthole for cosy nights post- vows, or a summer retreat to take a break from the wed-min, it offers ample home comforts. A larger than expected shower room, well equipped kitchen, comfy sofas and TV. The kitchen comprises a dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine, electric hob and oven, fridge with freezer compartment everything you need. Stairs lead to a loft bedroom with a kingsize bed and views across the garden to the pond, while the sofa bed in the living area is ideal for children or two adults. Light and airy inside there are views onto a delightful private patio with garden and fields beyond. Breakfast on the patio became a morning ritual, the perfect start to the day, the surrounding views are idyllic. When going on a mini-moon with or without family, as much as it’s appealing to shut yourselves away from the world you’ll want to know that there’s things to do and places to explore should you wish to. The Jam Shed is five miles from the historic market town of Lewes, we truly loved visiting here. It boasts ample shops and places to eat, and the castle at the top of the town was great for the whole family. We also ventured further afield for rock pooling at Birling Gap and a relaxing walk – well it was more of a hike – over the Seven Sisters cliffs. The picture-perfect setting was heightened by the glorious weather, the imposing cliffs standing majestically in the sunshine. To and from The Jam Shed we stumbled across plenty to see and do, fun activities for children, and romantic haunts for couples, although, with everything you could want on your doorstep it’s easy to hibernate and take a break from the world - we hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did! The Jam Shed in Sussex, provided the perfect location for Danielle Harvey’s family-moon-style weekend 105 MINI-MOON