Often guests stay in the woods and by the river…
On Site
On-site we have a tennis court, a zip wire and rope swing over the river (perfect for pond dipping). There’s the circular walk or the pick-your-own farm walk. Or venture into Petersfield to the sweet shop or the Petersfield Open Air Pool or Petersfield Lake to rent row boats. Or just explore the woods and relax by your camp fire reading a book. It’s all very peaceful, unless you mind all the birdsong!
The Overlook Deck is five minutes stroll from your yurt through the woods – it’s half-way down the hanging woodlands (yes, the woods here actually hang) en route to the river below. Relaxing on the Overlook Deck is like being a bird in the treetops; you can see out into the distance and down to the ox-bow River Rother below. If you sit quietly for long enough birds come swooping past, just feet away – because you’re up high like they are! And yet it’s easy to reach the Overlook Deck because we’ve cleared the rhododendrons that surround it, uncovering an old path that had been swamped by those gorgeous pink rhodies. It’s a wonderful spot for sun-downers or setting up an easel to paint. And if you’re interested in hosting a secret picnic for someone special or a group of about ten it can be booked.
And Nearby…
Petersfield Heath & Lake
Ancient burial mounds dating back to 10,000 BC. You can stroll around the pond in about an hour and see lots of wildlife. Rental of pedalo boats and also row boats. Lakeside cafe The Plump Duck. From here it’s a 10 minute walk into Petersfield for all the shops and restaurants. And the Petersfield Open Air Swimming Pool.
But sometimes it’s nice to venture further afield…
Weald & Downland Living Museum and West Dean Gardens
We hugely recommend the new and improved Weald and Downland Open Air Museum near West Dean (direction Chichester). It’s dog-friendly and appeals to all ages. If you’re there in the holidays there’s always something fascinating being demonstrated. Explore all the medieval and Elizabethan buildings that have been lovingly moved to this location. Also nearby is West Dean Gardens on the grounds of West Dean art college. Eat at West Dean Gardens or the museum – or The Fox Goes Free in Charlton or Farmer, Butcher, Chef at Goodwood.
Gilbert White’s House, Selborne
Eight miles from Adhurst is the Victorian naturalist Gilbert White’s House, now a museum and garden and tea room. Also nearby is Selborne Pottery.
Sky Park Deer Farm
Cowdray Estate, Midhurst and then Petworth
Cowdray is the home of polo. Come watch a chukka free! – apart from during the Gold Cup when it suddenly gets very pricey. Meanwhile there’s always the Cowdray Ruins, the Cowdray Farm Shop (think Fortnums & Mason) and the town of Midhurst with all its shops and hotels. A nice day out if it’s rainy – and you can continue on to Petworth which is basically all antique shops and Petworth House with its art collection.
Butser Ancient Farm
Butser Ancient Farm is only nine miles away and features archaeological reconstructions of ancient buildings from the Stone Age, Iron Age, Roman Britain and the Anglo-Saxon period. Their buildings are internationally famous and appear frequently in documentaries and feature films. They also grow crops from prehistory and keep rare breed goats and sheep. The shop sells lots of mead and honey.
Cittaviveka Buddhist Monastery
West Wittering Beach
45 minutes by car, private parking. Do book your parking space in advance to ensure a peaceful and serene visit. It’s mainly pebbly and parts allow dogs. Beautiful.