Your Sussex Wedding - Dec/Jan 2019 (Issue 82)

34 Editor Kelly Andrews enjoyed a luxurious night’s stay at the beautiful Buxted Park Hotel, East Sussex I ’d heard much about Buxted Park, a hotel that can count William Wordsworth, Winston Churchill and Marlon Brando amongst its illustrious list of past guests. So, it was with excitement that we approached this grand country pile via its long tree-lined drive. Built in 1722, it’s reminiscent of the elegant properties featured in classic romantic literature. It immediately seemed a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and I could feel myself starting to relax. The hotel’s seven spacious master suites have all recently undergone refurbishment, and a welcoming member of staff showed us up to ours once we’d checked in. When the Winston Churchill suite’s great reveal happened, and the door swung open, there were audible gasps from Mum and myself. What immediately popped into my mind was a moment from Annie, my favourite childhood movie, as she wakes up in her new home with Daddy Warbucks and exclaims: “This room’s bigger than Grant’s tomb!” I professionally maintained my composure until the kindly staff member had left the room, then shot off to explore. The bathroom alone is probably the size of my house, with a walk-in shower, roll top bath, and his and hers sinks. There’s also a handy little dressing room off to the side. The bedroom is blessed with three grand windows, showcasing the impressive vistas across the park’s 312 acres, and it offers comfort in the shape of a king- size bed, sofa, armchairs, coffee tables and desk. An oil painting hangs above the ornate fireplace, a decorative touch that made me feel like the guest of aristocracy. With my editor’s cap on it occurred to me what a great location this would be for bridal preparations, with more than enough space for the wedding morning entourage. WINED AND DINED Finally able to tear ourselves away from the comfort and luxury of our suite we made our way down to dinner. Before heading into the hotel’s restaurant, The Dining Room, we were seated in The Crystal Bar and given a warm welcome along with the menu. I ordered the John Ross Jnr Scottish Whiskey cured gravadlax with olive focaccia, cherry tomatoes, and shallots to start, followed by the slow maple braised shin of beef, glazed carrots, radish, truffle potato puree, crisp leeks, with a rich port jus, before settling down to a cocktail while we waited. We were escorted into the restaurant, and seated no more than a few minutes before our starter arrived. We enjoyed an absolutely delicious and wonderfully flavourful meal chatting over a glass or two of house white. It would be rude of me to decline dessert, so purely for this reason you understand, I ordered the apple and cinnamon strudel with golden sultana and rum ice cream. Who am I kidding? I’m physically incapable of saying “no” to pudding! It appeared as a beautifully delicate portion, a perfect end to the lovely meal. Finally, after a cup of peppermint tea back in The Crystal Bar, we retired. SLEEP WELL Not having a bath at home, I make it my business to try the one in every hotel I stay at. So, while Mum went straight to bed I poured some of the heavenly scented bubble bath into the cavernous bathroom’s roll-top, and reclined with my complimentary copy of The Hound of the Baskervilles . After my skin became satisfactorily prune-like, it was time to slip into bed, where I slept soundly until morning. WEDDING BELLES We were up with the lark the next morning and headed down to breakfast in the ballroom. We were delighted to meet the charming Rob and Liam again who had taken such great care of us in the restaurant the night before. The gentlemen served us with a hearty and delicious breakfast before we headed on a whistle-stop wedding tour of the hotel. Found at the heart of the venue, The Coat of Arms Lounge features an original 18th- century working fireplace, making it a lovely cosy spot for winter ceremonies. On the other hand the lounge leads directly to a private patio and the impressive stone portico at the top of the garden steps. With breathtaking views across the estate it’s a romantic location for al fresco vows, as 120 guests look up at you from the lawn. You can then adjourn to The Ballroom, the state wedding room, which features no less than five Empire Chandeliers complementing the five full- length Georgian sash windows. Alternatively, The Orangery is a magnificently versatile space flooded with natural daylight, overlooking the main terrace and formal lawns. It has capacity for 90 ceremony guests and can seat 70 for your wedding breakfast. For more intimate “I dos” there’s also The Library with space for 50. There’s even a chapel within the grounds offering another dimension to your day should you choose. We were sad to leave, but with a day exploring nearby Winnie-the-Pooh country planned, we were off onto the next adventure. ESCAPE FIND OUT MORE: 01825 733333 HANDPICKEDHOTELS.CO.UK/BUXTEDPARK