Camellia

If you're looking to forget about the realities of the real world for a while, then you can do a lot worse than visit South Lodge. The 19th-century lodge has wonderfully therapeutic views over the rolling South Downs and a sense of opulent luxury pervades throughout. Outside 90 acres of mature grounds are there to explore - note the 100-year old camellia wending its way up the wall that gave the restaurants its name - while afternoon tea in the lounge is a special treat. The candlelit restaurant maintains the special atmosphere with its wooden panels, oil paintings, chandeliers and ornate table lamps, crisp white linen, and views over the grounds. Service is professional without being over-the-top. The cooking balances excellent flavours and showcases a range of different cooking techniques. There's a good value lunch menu and the carte is split into classic and modern sections (you can cut and paste between the two). Start with a classic crayfish and Selsey prawn cocktail with saffron mayonnaise and broiled lemon and follow on with sea bass en papillote with new potatoes, fennel, smoked garlic and ginger. Impressively, every wine on the 200-odd list is available by the glass. The Pass (see entry) is the hotel's avante-garde take on the chef's table concept - an actual mini-restaurant in the kitchen.

On A23 left onto B2110. Turn right through Handcross to A281 junct. Turn left, hotel on right
Nearest station: Horsham

Find your way with AA atlases, books and maps
Plan a route to this location »  Camellia, Lower beeding