Hook Farm

As might have been mentioned, Hook Farm is in an enviable location enveloped by the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; several walking trails and bridleways linking Weald villages and through splendid scenery lead directly from the site. Brighton is less than 20 miles away too for city days or nights out. Recommended options in the region include the colourful steam railway ride from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway, an 11-mile journey along the border between East and West Sussex, or wildlife watching at one or more of the Weald's couple of dozen nature and RSPB reserves. Ardingly Reservoir, close to Hook Farm, also has yachting, sailing, canoeing and hooking samples in pike, carp, tench, coarse and match fishing. At Ardingly village less than a mile from the farm, the National Trust's Wakehurst Gardens is a popular day out for the green-fingered as it's managed by London's Kew Gardens and is home to three national tree collections, England's biggest Christmas tree and the millennium seed bank, set up with the aim of preserving seeds from all native flora in the UK. (Kenneth Branagh's version of As You Like It was filmed here too if you feel like being dramatic among the trees.) Next door to Wakehurst Gardens, the South of England Showground should keep most tastes occupied with its events attended by tens of thousands throughout the year, including the South of England Show and dozens of public events. And if it's gardens you're after, plenty are within easy reach: try out Standen, Borde Hill and High Beeches just to start you off. Finally, fancy some forest to go with the woodland on the farm? Ashdown Forest is a six-mile trot from Hook Farm and has walking trails, pony trekking and other outdoor options.