Country house grounds within gorgeous West Sussex
countryside...
South Lodge is a wonderful country house hotel in West Sussex,
nestled on a secluded warm level terrace, on a gentle south slope
with fine views to the south and south-west across the Weald.
The hotel's 93 acres of woodland, formal lawns, ponds and gardens
are particularly impressive and effective in spring and autumn.
Planted mainly with trees and shrubs, over 200 varieties of
Rhododendron, azalea and camellia and a collection of native trees,
mainly beech and oak, the gardens are just one element of what
makes use one of the finest luxury hotels in West
Sussex. The upkeep of these extensive grounds is a full
time job for our team of gardeners and grounds staff.
A word or two from Head Gardener, Kevin Hodder
May is the all action month. If it were a
Hollywood movie it would be the summer blockbuster with non stop
excitement and an all star cast. There is so much to see and enjoy
in the garden that every bit of effort is well rewarded with colour
and scent. We are relieved to see the back of any hard frosts but
the unseasonably hot temperatures has brought forward the damage
that the hot weather brings. It can often seem like you are running
to catch up with the demands of the garden but we prioritise
watering, weeding and pruning of shrubs that have finished
flowering. We are also mowing the grass more regularly now. The
growth will not ease until summer arrives. Unfortunately this will
be the last of my garden blogs as I am leaving South Lodge Hotel
for pastures new it has been an honour and a privilege to work in
such fantastic surroundings and I certainly will miss the riot of
colour that comes every spring. So for one last time its goodbye
from me and enjoy the gorgeous weather.
Ancient roots
The Camellia Restaurant (3 AA Rosettes) is
named after the Camellia ‘Donckelarii’ that grows on the south
terrace. This Camellia was in existence when Frederick Du Cane
Godman built South Lodge in 1883; the story goes that the Camellia
was growing against the south wall of the previous Tudor building
and when this was demolished to make way for South Lodge, a small
section of the wall immediately behind the Camellia was left intact
to preserve its roots, which makes the Camellia well over 250 years
old.
Take me to the Camellia
Restaurant
Hidden treasures
A short stroll across the beautifully
manicured, tiered lawns brings you to a beautiful lake with a
pretty babbling brook running into the lake and winding pathways.
And lastly, tucked away behind the impressive Rhododendron on the
front lawn, is a Victorian rockery.
Tell me more about dining
al fresco on the terrace
There’s so much to see and explore, pick up a map of the grounds
from reception once you've arrived.