Woodlands Park Hotel

A fortune built on matches allowed Victorian industrialist William Bryant (of Bryant and May fame) to build this red-brick mansion, and simultaneously dispense with the need for his own products to light the gas lamps, by being one of the first houses in the UK to have electric lighting. He picked a lovely spot, set in landscaped gardens and grounds, while the Oak Room restaurant is a period piece, all beautiful oak-panelled walls and splendid coffered oak ceilings, and well-padded leather seats at linen-swathed tables. It all adds up to an impressive scene for some vibrant modern cooking, along the lines of crab ravioli teamed with seared scallops and shellfish bisque, followed by daube of Chanctonbury Estate venison with thyme fondant potato and horseradish cream. Desserts might be as creative as mint and chocolate millefeuille with a white chocolate sorbet shot and chocolate orange bonbon.