Short breaks from LondonA two or three night break in the South Downs, from London

Why here for a short break

A short break is spoiled by time in the car once you have arrived. Here you can park on Friday and not drive again until you leave. The pub is in the village and the walks start at the gate.

For two people, or two couples, choose Keepers or The Old Stables: both have a wood-burning stove with logs provided, super-king beds and a bath. Barley Cottage costs less and takes a dog.

Getting here from London

Come by car if you can. West Marden is 66 miles from central London, between Chichester and Petersfield. With no traffic that is 1 hour 40. On a Friday afternoon, plan on 2 hours to 2 hours 30. There is free parking on the farm.

By train you will need a taxi for the last few miles, so book it before you travel. There is no rank in the village. These are the fastest usual times, and our getting here page has more.

Check-in is from 4pm and each home has a keypad, so it does not matter if you leave work late and arrive after dark.

• Petersfield: about 1 hour from Waterloo, then 8.9 miles, about 20 minutes by car.
• Havant: 1 hour 15 from Waterloo, then 6.9 miles, about 15 minutes.
• Rowlands Castle: about 1 hour 25 from Waterloo, direct and hourly, then 3.7 miles, about 7 minutes. The nearest station.
• Chichester: about 1 hour 30 from Victoria, then about 20 minutes.

Two nights, hour by hour

This is a winter weekend. In summer, swap the fire for the pool, which is open Monday to Saturday from mid-June to early September.

• Friday, from 4pm: let yourselves in. There is a homemade cake on the table. Light the wood burner.
• Friday, 7pm: walk to the Victoria Inn for supper. It is a very short walk, it has a log burner and it makes its own pies. The kitchen closes at 9pm on a Friday, so book a table.
• Saturday, 10am: drive 8 minutes to Stoughton and walk the 4.1-mile Octagon loop up through the yews of Kingley Vale to Bow Hill, at 205 metres.
• Saturday, 1pm: lunch at the Hare and Hounds in Stoughton, at the foot of the hill.
• Saturday, 3pm: Chichester, about 20 minutes by car. The cathedral is free and open until 5pm. Or stay in with the fire and a bath.
• Saturday, after dark: step outside on a clear night. The South Downs is an International Dark Sky Reserve. See dark skies.
• Sunday, 10am: check out and put the bags in the car. Walk the 2.7-mile West Marden loop from the village, about an hour and a quarter. It finishes past the pub.
• Sunday, noon: a roast at the Victoria Inn, then home. See our pub guide.

What to know

Heating, logs, bed linen, towels and wifi are included, so you can pack light. Bring boots: the paths are muddy from November to March.

The nearest shop is five minutes away by car in Rowlands Castle, and it is easier to bring Saturday’s breakfast with you. Mobile signal is poor on every network except EE. The wifi is fast.

It is quiet. If you want bars and a choice of restaurants on the doorstep, stay in Chichester. If you want a fire, a pub and a hill, come here.

When you can come

Short stays are available outside the school holidays. That leaves most of January to March, the weeks between Easter and the end of May, June and early July, and September to mid-December. In the summer holidays, stays are by the week, Friday to Friday.

There is a three-night minimum over Goodwood events, Easter, half-terms and Christmas. In 2027 the half-terms are 15 to 19 February, 31 May to 4 June and 25 to 29 October. Ask us for a price for your dates. There are no booking fees when you book direct.