A charming holiday cottage for four people in the South Downs National Park, close to Worthing and Arundel. Ideal for walkers and cyclists, dogs welcome.. Ground floor.

Living room: With open fire, Freeview TV and wooden floor.

Dining room.

Kitchen: With gas cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer and washing machine.

Bedroom 1: With kingsize bed.

Bedroom 2: With single bed.

Bedroom 3: With single bed.

Bathroom: With bath, shower attachment and toilet.. Gas central heating, electricity, gas, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Travel cot (£20 charge for linen/bedding). Private garden with sitting-out area and garden furniture. Private parking for 1 car. Please note: This property has a security deposit of £150.. A traditional Sussex cottage complete with cottage garden, ideally situated for walking the South Downs in one of the most wonderful rural settings.

This traditional flint-faced cottage which in part dates back to 1724 has its main history in the Napoleonic Wars when this area of Patching was a French prisoner of war camp. A wood called ‘surgeons field’ can be seen from the cottage and was reputed to have been a field hospital.

France Cottage is beautifully presented, retaining many original features such as open fireplaces, original floorboards, a traditional cottage style kitchen with a separate larder and a 1930’s style period bathroom. The cottage will sleep four in three bedrooms. The main bedroom overlooks the front and facing west is fitted with a king-sized bed. The second and third bedrooms are both single rooms with views to the Downs. The bathroom is finished in a 1930’s style and has a shower attachment.

The cottage has beautiful gardens with open views north towards Patching village. There are horses grazing throughout the main season in the next-door field which makes for a very restful setting. Patching is a quaint village, and at the top as the lane climbs towards the South Downs is Patching church. A number of footpaths radiate from here allowing easy access to the Downs on a number of different routes. To the east is Long Furlong, a crescent shaped piece of downland, like the South Downs in miniature! It is easily reached from the neighbouring village of Clapham where a walk along the top gives great views inland. Take the downland paths around the woodland of Angmering Park and you reach the attractive villages of Wepham and Burpham 3 miles to the west.

Just across the Arun valley is the historic market town of Arundel, dominated by the symbolic castle and cathedral. It offers a plethora of craft and antique shops as well as restaurants and tearooms. Arundel Castle is the seat of the Duke of Norfolk and is set in 40-acres of sweeping grounds and gardens. The River Arun winds its way around the town and is a magnet for wildlife. With more than 60 acres of ponds lakes and reed beds Arundel Wetland Trust attracts spectacular ducks, geese and swans. The best way to enjoy the river is on a river cruise stopping off at the local pub or proceeding further north where the river hugs the foot of the Downs before reaching Amberley.

France Cottage is also well placed for the coast. Climping Beach and Littlehampton’s West Beach are only a short drive away. This is a beautiful unspoilt length of beach of Special Scientific Interest and at the eastern end is the West Beach Café- the fish and chips come highly recommended! Goodwood and Fontwell racecourses are nearby along with the city of Chichester with its excellent Festival Theatre. Beach 5 miles. Shop and restaurant 1 mile, pub 0.2 miles.

Free WiFi