Happy New Year West Sussex and friends

Here's to another fabulous year of events in and around Sussex starting with the Constable exhibition at Petworth House!

Petworth House

The exhibition is from 11th January - 14th March 2014 and will provide an opportunity to admire over 40 outstanding watercolors and drawings created in and around Petworth by the great British landscape artist, John Constable. Many of the works on show were produced during Constable’s visits to the house in 1834 and have never before been exhibited as a group.

Petworth House

We're very excited about the upcoming exhibition given that we visited the Turner exhibition at Petworth House last year where many of the paintings were exhibited in the main house and, as with the Constable exhibition, you get a sneak peak at the houses' historic library (not normally open to the public). It's fantastic to get the opportunity to see this room - reminds me of Miss Haversham's room in Wuthering Heights.

Ionic Rotunder in Petworth House Gardens

Constable is principally famous for his oil painting, though later in life he also produced some wonderful work with watercolor. Highlights of the exhibition include rarely seen views of the house, park and nearby picturesque villages such as Tillington, Fittleworth and Bignor. Constable was also drawn to popular attractions of around West Sussex including Chichester Cathedral, Cowdray House and Arundel Castle.

Alongside the exhibition in Petworth’s modern exhibition room, visitors will see two showrooms in the house - famously described by Constable as ‘that house of art’. I also highly recommend a walk in the gardens when you visit the house (the photos in this blog were taken when I visited the House for the Christmas Fair in December).

Petworth House Gardens

Petworth advises advance booking following the sell out Turner exhibition last year. Call the house on 0844 249 1895 or book online.

Enjoy a wonderful day in Petworth admiring the exhibition and come back to Chequers to cosy up in front of the fire for a glass of wine and Sussex fodder produced by our chef, who like Constable is constantly inspired by what Sussex has on offer to delight our senses... wild venison stew anyone?


Visiting the Constable Exhibition at Petworth House?

Extend your stay at Chequers Hotel to take full advantage of exploring this area of outstanding natural beauty with our special exhibition offer.

Call 01798 872486 to book - ref: Constable Exhibition

A warm welcome awaits...

Lissette x

The South Downs Way

Given that Chequers is centrally located in the foothills of the South Downs National Park we thought it was high time we had something to say about it! Since taking over Chequers last May we have been exploring some of the many routes by walk, run and bike and welcoming many guests who have enjoyed exploring the wonderful local trails too; whether it be to rest their head at the end of a long day, or to refuel over lunch, afternoon tea or dinner after their efforts!

 

South Downs Way Walks from Chequers Hotel Pulborough

The South Downs Way path runs for around 100 miles with an undulating path that begins in Winchester and moves past Cheesefoot Head, the towns of Petersfield, Arundel, Amberley, and Steyning, Bignor Roman Villa near Bury, Chanctonbury Ring, Devil's Dyke viewpoint near Brighton, followed by Ditchling Beacon and miles of chalk downland across to Beachy Head, finally ending in Eastbourne. It also passes Birling Gap, a beach area that provides the opportunity to swim - irresistible on a warm summer day! Chequers is within easy reach of many of these stopping points which is why a number of guests have chosen to stay with us for a few days whilst they are walking the many routes.

South Downs Way walks from Chequers Hotel Pulborough

Much of the South Downs Way is on high chalk downland and the views are always interesting. Perhaps the most dramatic vistas are on the high chalk cliffs on the Seven Sisters, Sussex towards Beachy Head and before the descent to Eastbourne. However, there are also superb views in clear weather from the ridgeway sections on the tops of the downs, especially on Ditchling Beacon.

South Downs Way walks from Chequers Hotel Pulborough

The Way lies within the South Downs National Park and there is plenty of historic interest along the way, such as the Long Man of Wilmington near Eastbourne, as mentioned above. Diversions are needed to visit Brighton or Lewes, the latter town being of great beauty with an historic centre. Without exception it is a very well maintained and signposted route. While it crosses various villages for provisions much of it is surprisingly isolated and quiet considering the density of the population in south-east England.

South Downs Way walks from Chequers Hotel Pulborough

Another good spot - the famous Devils Dyke - is a popular port of call for our guests! A nice walking destination with spectacular views to the Isle of Wight. Local folklore explains the valley as the work of the devil. The legend holds that the devil was digging a trench to allow the sea to flood the many churches in the Weald of Sussex. The digging disturbed an old woman who lit a candle, or angered a rooster causing it to crow, making the devil believe that the morning was fast approaching. The devil then fled, leaving his trench unfinished. The last shovel of earth he threw over his shoulder fell into the sea, forming the Isle of Wight.

South Downs Way walks from Chequers Hotel Pulborough

The South Downs Way trail can be walked at a leisurely pace in about a week while a good walker, horse rider or cyclist would take two or three days. It is closed to motorised traffic along the route.

South Downs Way walks from Chequers Hotel Pulborough

Various events are held along the route; including the British Heart Foundation's annual Randonee. Part or all of the 100 miles is cycled to raise funds for heart disease, the fastest times are sub 8 hours with most riders taking under 14 hours. For the hardcore running community, the national park hosts the SWD 100 in June - a 100 mile ultramarathon, with a total of 12,7000 feet climbing and a time limit of 30 hours!

Stay a while in Pulborough at the Chequers Hotel -  an area of outstanding natural beauty and at the foot of the South Downs National Park and explore the local surrounding areas too – Arundel, Petworth, Chichester, Parham, Pulborough Brooks RSPB and more! We have plenty of maps for our guests choosing to take on the challenge!

Lissette x

Bluebell walks in West Sussex

The bluebell or “Hyacinthoides non-scripta” is a bulbous perennial plant, found in Atlantic areas from north-western Spain to the British Isles. It is known in English as the common bluebell or simply bluebell. In spring, the Bluebell produces a nodding, one-sided inflorescence of 5–12 tubular, sweet-scented violet–blue flowers, with strongly recurved tepals, and 3–6 long, linear, basal leaves. The flower is particularly associated with ancient woodland where it may dominate the understory to produce carpets of violet–blue flowers in "bluebell woods". It is protected under UK law and it is said that half the world’s bluebells flower in the British Isles.

Bluebell Walks 

April is a great month for a woodland or river bank walk to view these spectacular plants - good for both the soul and mind!

We have been scouting to find the best bluebell walks in the local area for our guests to enjoy and discovered there are many beautiful “Bluebell” walks in West Sussex close to Chequers. Whether it is along the River Arun or through our local woods, you can enjoy the annual spectacle turning our woodlands into a beautiful blue landscape with trees bursting back into life and the beautiful background music of bird song once again. Here are a few examples of nearby places to enjoy the scene:

1) The Low Weald nature reserve of Ebernoe Common near Petworth encompasses ponds, streams and meadows as well as ancient woodland which are renowned for their beautifully scented bluebells. You can even hear the nightingales singing from April to June whilst enjoying the spectacular scene of bluebells. We advise you to park next to the church off Steel's Lane (sat nav gu28 9jy). If you are enjoying a stay at Chequers ask John or Lissette for maps or go to sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk for a map of paths.

Bluebell Walks

2) Angmering park estate near littlehampton hosts the annual “Raw Energy Persuits” 10km and 10 mile bluebell trail walk and run on 21^st April. This is a rare opportunity to explore the privately owned 11,000 acre Angmering Park Estate. The woods of which are peppered with picturesque cottages and outbuildings in amongst the stunning bluebells. This year will be the 9^th staging of this spectacular trail event and sees people returning year after year to get involved. Contact Rawenergypursuits.co.uk/events for more info and to enter.  

We advise our guests to park at The Fox pub in Patching (Sat Nav: BN13 3UJ).

3) Woods Mill Sussex wildlifetrust near Henfield where you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the woods scattered with bluebells and round the lake. I actually spent a wonderful 6 month sabbatical 3 years ago working on Woods Mill Nature Reserve so have a lot of information and stories to tell about this great trust. Just ask me about any questions you have!

Enjoy!

Lissette  x