Guests say
Paythorne Farmhouse is a characterful property with stunning views and a peaceful location, ideal for family gatherings and countryside retreats. Guests appreciate the well-equipped kitchen, spacious garden, and the charm of the rustic, lived-in feel. The proximity to local pubs and walks adds to its appeal.
Reviews indicate a need for improved cleanliness, with mentions of dead insects and a lack of deep cleaning. However, not all reviews reflect this issue, suggesting inconsistency in cleaning standards.
The location is highly praised for its unbeatable setting at the foot of the South Downs, quietness, and proximity to local attractions, making it an excellent spot for relaxation and exploration.
The farmhouse is generally considered comfortable, with a cosy lounge, quality bedclothes, and a well-equipped kitchen. Some guests found the beds too soft, indicating comfort may be subjective.
Facilities are well-regarded, especially for larger groups, with a well-equipped kitchen and ample space. However, some guests noted the need for TLC and minor maintenance issues.
While guests enjoyed watching birds and the provision of bird food, there is no mention of gifts or additional thoughtful touches that would warrant a score in this category.
About this property
Upper Beeding 3.5 miles. This charming, period farmhouse sits a rural position in the village of Fulking, within the South Downs National Park. Boasting a period interior across three floors, Paythorne Farmhouse is a remarkable base to call home whilst exploring West Sussex and the coast. Spend your down time in the sitting room, featuring exposed beams, traditional furnishings and a woodburning stove set in the large brick fireplace. Wander to the conservatory for a brighter space, with ample seating and rural views, before heading into the kitchen to conjure up a feast; the rustic AGA cooker awaits! Carry the conversation into the adjacent dining room and appreciate the far-reaching views, before relocating to the bathrooms to freshen up. Venture outside to the seating area surrounded by nature or head down the stairs to the large lawn, ideal for games and a picnic. As the night grows darker, whisk away upstairs and relax in the a king-size and two double bedrooms on the first-floor, whilst there are two further attic bedrooms, accessed via two separate staircases. Each bedroom has been neutrally presented, and there is also a handy utility room where you can keep on top of your laundry. Your exploration can begin along the South Downs Way, which is said to be the central thread spanning through the patchwork of culture and nature that is the South Down National Park. On your return, stop off for a pint and meal at one of the nearby eateries, choose from The Shepherd & Dog and The Royal Oak, both located within two miles. Head into Small Dole for a further selection of eateries and the scenic Woods Mill Nature Reserve, or take yourself further afield to Henfield for an afternoon of shopping, with a host of tea rooms to while away the hours in. Within close reach is the city of Brighton, offering a traditional coastal pier, a handful of museums, art galleries, shops and an aquarium, offering a bustling atmosphere and a welcome change of pace. Paythorne Farmhouse provides a superb retreat for uncovering this southern part of England.
Upper Beeding, a West Sussex village and civil parish, is close to the popular seaside resort of Brighton and the picture-perfect South Downs National Park. The village is an ideal base for a Devonshire break, with two shops, a pub, and charming architecture. Upper Beeding, surrounded by countryside and with the Adur River running alongside, is ideal for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers. Just outside the village are the hilltop ruins of the Norman castle, Bramber Castle, where you can stop on your way to Steyning Museum to learn about local history. Heading in the opposite direction, follow the river down to the port town of Shoreham-by-Sea, where there are a few pubs and eateries. While driving down the coast, make a stop at Hove, Worthing, or Brighton to continue your journey along the coast. Upper Beeding is surrounded by both the coast and the countryside.
Accommodation
Over three floors.
3 bedrooms on the first floor: 1 x king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x double with en-suite basin and WC, 1 x double.
2 bedrooms on the second floor: 2 attic rooms that do not have a door: 1 x double, 3 single beds.
Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Downstairs cloakroom with basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Utility.
Dining room.
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Conservatory.
Gas central heating.
AGA cooker, gas hob, microwave, fridge, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer.
Smart TV, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking.
Lawned unfenced garden with a small pond, children and dogs should be supervised at all times.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 2.7 miles, pub 0.5 miles Sussex.
This property only allows bookings for a minimum of 3 night stay.
This property accepts no stag / hen parties or similar.
This property is on a working farm in the rural countryside.
Reviews (19)
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Kirsty
It was the perfect venue for a special family get together. The house is wonderful and is full of quirky and interesting furniture. My 8 year old loved exploring and finding all the different toys. The beds are really comfortable and the house was very clean (the two most important things for me!) The location couldnât be better and the views are incredible. We were very lucky with the weather so we got to enjoy the lovely garden and patio area. The hosts are also lovely and they went out of their way to reunite us with an item that was left behind. I would 100% recommend Paythorne Farmhouse and we are looking to book again next year.
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Richard John
The house easily accommodated our expanding family of adults, plus baby and dog. The garden is spacious, interesting and attractively maintained. The views of the downs and the weald of Sussex, from the windows and from the terrace, are quite magnificent and literally quite something to behold. We were treated to dramatic and beautiful clouds, sunsets, and rainbows during our stay, but unfortunately that can't be guaranteed. What you can be certain of though is, that if you venture up to the top of the downs an exhilarating and breathtaking experience awaits. Try Devils Dyke on foot if you're feeling strong, or by car if you prefer. Emma was a very helpful and friendly host who went to the trouble of making sure a new high chair and cot was available, and was happy to communicate by phone. Peythorne Farmhouse needs no improvement, in fact I would go as far as to say - don't change a thing!
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Andrew
We are a multi-generational family (aged 7 months to 70 years) and we all really enjoyed our stay at Paythorne Farmhouse. Like any old house, it has its quirks but overall, we found it very cosy and comfortable. The master bedroom and ensuite bathroom were very spacious. The mattresses on the beds were on the soft side but not debilitatingly so. (Ironically, the mattress on the double bed in the loft bedroom was the firmest). It was nice to meet the owner who had come over to mow the lawn. She was very friendly and told us about the history of the house. The kitchen was well-equipped with three good fridges. The owner had dropped off a new toaster before we had realised that the old one wasnât fully working. We liked cooking with the Aga, even though it made the kitchen quite warm. Some of the cupboards and drawers in the kitchen were a bit grimy so we cleaned them up ourselves â helpfully, there were plenty of cleaning materials and two good hoovers. We left notes about a few minor things that could be addressed in kitchen and bathroom. The only thing that has been mentioned before is that the tap had come off temperature control on the shower in the family bathroom, so it was stuck on tepid (we didnât realise this at first as we were using the bath). It was warm and sunny for most of our stay, so we really appreciated the lovely atmospheric garden. It is laid out on different levels with a paved terrace all around the house and two flights of steps down to a large well-manicured lawn, which is surrounded by wild unkempt borders. Our dog loved the garden and didnât show any inclination to escape through the couple of gaps in the hedges. Like everyone else we appreciated the supply of bird food and watching the birds feeding outside the dining room window. We did lots of walks as the house is in an excellent location for walks from the door. There is a choice between easy walks through the fields behind the house, or more challenging hikes up onto the South Downs Way. We also visited the two local pubs and liked them both, and the vegans in our family appreciated the fact the fact both pubs had vegan options on the menu. Overall, as long as you don't mind a few spiders and wood lice, we would highly recommend this quirky old farmhouse.