Withyfield cottage - Cottage in Sussex, United Kingdom
Merrion Farm
- Cottage for 6 from £128 per night (read our low price promise)
- 1 double, en suite and 2 doubles/twins with zip-link beds
Suitable for children of all ages
Pets welcome
Children are welcome. Two dogs can be accommodated, more than two by arrangement.
Overview
This incredible structure was designed and built by Ben Law, a permaculture expert and wood builder whose project was voted the most popular ever to feature on Channel 4’s Grand Designs. It’s a graceful work of exposed timber beams that sweep down from the high arched ceiling and sink into the worktops and the floor, framing the open plan kitchen and living room.
There are two bedrooms on the ground floor, one en suite double or twin and one double at the other end of the cottage next to the family bathroom. The gallery bedroom on the second floor is another double or twin and shares the family bathroom with the bedroom below. All are simply decorated, leaving the breathtaking quality of the workmanship to shine through. Upstairs and down, there is a sense of modern comfort blending seamlessly with the rustic design of the structure itself.
Local and sustainable are the two principles at the heart of Withyfield. From the veranda you can see the woodlands where the trees that clad the outside of the house were cut and then replaced. Take a step or two off the decking and you’ll find yourself in a wonderful pastoral paradise, criss-crossed by walking trails and studded with places of beauty, history and culture.
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in time is from 4pm
- Check out time is 10am
- If you’d like to bring more than two pets, please give us a ring to make sure its ok
- Sleeping arrangements
- 1 double, en suite and 2 doubles/twins with zip-link beds
Extra space available
Space for 2 pets from £20 per pet per stay . More than 2 dogs by arrangement only, please call to discuss
Space for 1 baby no charge. Cots, high chair and fireguard available on request at no charge.
Kids & Pets
Children are welcome. Two dogs can be accommodated, more than two by arrangement.
Cooking
- Electric cooker
- Fridge/freezer
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- BBQ
- Enclosed private meadow with woodland campfire area
Washing
- Two bathrooms - one family bathroom with bath and shower, one en-suite bathroom.
- Washing machine
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Wood-burner in the living room
- All linen is provided
Entertainment
- Wifi and mobile reception
- DVDs
- Books, cards, board games, some toys (lego and train track)
Getting there
Merrion Farm, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 8EH
What3words address: print.harnessed.firms
By public transport
Horsham or Shoreham are the nearest train stations and Horsham also has the nearest bus stop, both are 10 miles away. Janice, the owner, is happy to pick you up from nearby Partridge Green and can advise on buses from the station.
By car - satnav will bring you straight to the end of the farm drive, using the postcode
From the M25 - leave at Junction 7, then keep left and join the M23, sign posted Brighton and Gatwick Airport. The M23 turns into the A23 after about 15 miles. Leave the A23 after another 6.5 miles to join the A272. At the roundabout take the 4th exit onto the A272, signposted London, Petersfield. At the next roundabout, (approx 4 miles), take the 1st exit onto the A281 (Henfield). After 2.5 miles turn right onto Partridge Green Road B2116, continue along here for another .75 miles. At mini-roundabout continue forward onto High Street - B2116. At the end of the High Street, turn left onto the B2135 (Steyning). After 1.5 miles you will go over the river, take the drive which is the 2nd on the left after the bridge, just after the post box on the right. There is a sign with a cow and Merrion Farm on it. (If you go past the Fountain Inn you have gone too far.)
Food & Drink
A selection of pubs & restaurants near Withyfield
The Fountain Ashurst – specialising in local beer and food
The Bull, Shermanbury (good for dogs and children)
The Green Man – Partridge Green
The Chequers , Steyning
The Black Horse Nuthurst
The Orchard (a traditional family restaurant on the edge of the Downs Link) (lovely breakfasts before 12)
Activities
There are many lovely pastoral spots to explore around Withyfield. Here's a small sample:
Steyning - Historic market town at the foot of the downs, quaint High Street with tearooms etc
Arundel - With a cathedral, castle, antique shops and wildlife reserve
Shoreham - the nearest beach with historic airport
Lewes - County town of East Sussex , has a Castle and lots of history
Local produce
One of the things the area does really well is produce. Just about everything you could need is grown or reared nearby. All this good stuff is brought together for you to feast on at a series of farmer's markets in the area. There's so many that some kind of gruelling market crawl might be in order...
Arundel Farmers Market
3rd Saturday of each month from 9am to 1pm
Where: The Square, Arundel, West Sussex
Chichester Farmers Market
1st and 3rd Friday of each month from 9am to 2p
Where: East Street and North Street, Chichester, West Sussex
Henfield Farmers Market
3rd Friday of each month from 9am to 1pm
Where: Village Hall, High Street, Henfield, West Sussex
Horsham Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 9am to 4pm
Where: Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex
Shoreham-by-Sea Farmers Market
2nd Saturday of each month from 9am to 1pm
Where: East Street, Shoreham, West Sussex
Slindon Farmers Market
4th Thursday of each month from 9am to 1pm
Where: Coronation Hall, Reynolds Lane, Slindon, West Sussex
Steyning Farmers Market
1st Saturday of each month from 9am to 1pm
Where: High Street Car Park, Steyning, West Sussex
West Chiltington Farmers Market
2nd Saturday of each month from 9am to 12noon
Where: Village Hall, Mill Road, West Chiltington, West Sussex
Lewes Farmers Market
1st Saturday of each month from 9am to 1pm.
Where: Cliffe Pedestrian Precinct, Lewes, East Sussex
Meet your hosts
Meet Janice & Alan Griffiths:
The Griffiths have been on the land at Merrion Farm since the 1920s, it's even named after Alan's grandfather's family farm over in Pembrokeshire. The traditional dairy farm of around 100 cows supplies milk to local shops on a daily basis and the cows are even involved in the community in another way, disposing of the grains from the brewery after they've finished making Dark Star, a local ale.
Wildlife and the environment
As you'd expect from eco-builds, the list of environmentally friendly features is pretty long for the build of Withyfield Cottage. So, please bear with us...The shower is solar powered, the insulation is sheep's wool, the shingles are cedar, the plaster is lime, the frame and cladding are all local and the plaster render that seals the gaps on the outside is made of Weald clay taken from the foundations.
In all aspects the Griffiths have tried to make Withyfield Cottage as sustainable as possible. They love the fact that you can sit on the deck and see the wood where the trees that clad the outside were felled and then replaced. They have aimed to use local materials and craftsmen as far as possible. The kitchen was made in nearby Partridge Green and the bedroom's chests of drawers are either recycled or made by a local charity.
Our guests say...
Perfect in every way. Made to feel welcome, went with my husband, my mum and dad and our dog. Space to relax, beautiful setting, dog treats, disabled friendly for my parents, lovely woodburner stove and sleeping on the beds felt like sleeping on a cloud! Loved it, will be back next year for sure, gifted eggs when we left what more could you ask for. Thank you
03/09/2018Louise
Was fantastic. The cottage far exceeded any of our expectations! My father in law absolutely loved his 60th birthday celebrations!
20/04/2018Hannah
We were a group of ladies celebrating two big birthdays, we stayed for two nights. We loved the cottage and all of its facilities.There is plenty of room and the wood burner made it cosy and warm even in November. It was easy to cater for our meals as there was so much equipment and two fridges which was perfect, one for food and one for the prosecco! The beds were very comfy and good quality bedding and pillows. The bathrooms were modern and spacious. The character of the property is quite overwhelming, entirely built of wood it really is beautiful. Our host was very welcoming and even put up some pretty bunting and left delicious cakes, plenty of instructions so it was easy to run the cottage.
24/11/2017Karen
Really beautiful place. Makes you want to build your own straw bale house!
30/10/2017Chris
What a lovely place too stay, wonderful and charming building, good facilities and very comfortable. The owner, Janice, popped in to check we were ok, when we arrived there were chocolate brownies ready and waiting for us to enjoy with a cuppa. On departure she also presented us with fresh laid eggs. Will definitely return
01/09/2017Tim
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Special Offer: 15% OFF REMAINING 2018 STAYS!! - Book now and receive 15% off remaining stays in 2018!
Valid from 23/10/2018 till 17/12/2018
Offer applies to new bookings only. Price discounts have been automatically applied unless otherwise stated.
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Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd Company No 09088366 of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking with us at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:-
- you have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- you are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age.
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This booking confirmation will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your reponsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices.Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
6. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you;
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured ad so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded;
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
7. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
8. Pets
Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price.
10. Visa, passport and health requirements.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the Arrangements you chose to purchase. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of booking is permitted.
14. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
15. Your Responsibilities
Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners will also require damage deposits. You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
Perfect in every way. Made to feel welcome, went with my husband, my mum and dad and our dog. Space to relax, beautiful setting, dog treats, disabled friendly for my parents, lovely woodburner stove and sleeping on the beds felt like sleeping on a cloud! Loved it, will be back next year for sure, gifted eggs when we left what more could you ask for. Thank you
03/09/2018