Unique Countryside Retreat with Hot Tub

Escape to Embers is a unique architect-designed, eco-conscious timber home in the South Downs National Park, close to West Dean Gardens. It's a private, stylish place to get away, with long views over the garden and fields, a five-person hot tub and a large wood burner. Sleeps 5. Walks start from the front door, and Goodwood is a 10-minute drive, and Chichester is 15 minutes. The space The open-plan living area is bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto the garden and patio. The owner's books, art and travel finds fill the rooms, so it feels like a much-loved home rather than a hotel. In the evening, get cosy by the large wood burner, with logs from the owner's own Sussex woodland. The kitchen island sits in the middle of the room, so whoever is cooking is still part of the conversation. The kitchen is well equipped, with oil, vinegar and spices provided, plus a welcome hamper of local treats. It has two hobs and a compact oven, so it suits relaxed suppers better than a big roast. There's also a boot room for coats and wellies, and a family shower room. Sleeping arrangements (sleeps 5) • Bedroom 1: a king bed, with a full bathroom next door. • Bedroom 2: a super king zip-and-link bed (can be set up as two twins on request) with a private en-suite shower room. • The Nook: a raised double bed just off the main living area, closed off by a curtain rather than a door. It suits anyone happy to sleep in an open space. Guest access You'll have private use of the whole house and grounds. The house: open-plan living area, kitchen and all bedrooms. The garden: a lawn around the house with wide views of the South Downs. Hot tub: a five-person hot tub. Patio: dining furniture for eating outdoors. Parking: room for up to three cars on the driveway. Other things to note • The house is reached by a private drive shared with a historic manor house. The drive is uneven, so we don't recommend low sports cars. • There's a natural pond in the garden. A safety fence surrounds it when children are staying, and we take it down for adult-only stays where we can. Please supervise children at all times. • There's no air conditioning, but fans are provided for hot weather. • The TVs receive terrestrial channels only. • The Wi-Fi can be unreliable and isn't suitable for streaming, so it's best to plan for a quieter connection. • Our gardeners visit once a week, usually on a Monday or Friday if there's rain on the Monday, to look after the grounds. (Phil and Sandra)