The Wiston Pump House

Description

The Wiston Pump House has humble origins; it was built in the early 1900’s to pump water to the Wiston Estate. Now retired from duty, the building’s beautiful original features have been retained and the inside magnificently renovated to provide a luxurious, but secluded, holiday escape at the foot of the South Downs – with the incredible Wiston Estate Winery on your doorstep.

Outside, the building is a quirky combination of red brick with traditional local flint. The huge original windows now offer guests views over magnificent surrounding countryside and up to Chanctonbury Ring. The terrace provides a peaceful place to while away a summer’s evening.

Inside, the space has been cleverly converted to offer an open plan kitchen and living area, mezzanine bedroom, and luxury bathroom. A comfortable sofa bed means the space can sleep up to four guests, and dogs are welcome too. The palette is calm and neutral, allowing the views to shine.

If the bottle of Wiston Brut NV chilling in the fridge on arrival whets your appetite for more of their award-winning wine, then why not book a wine tour? And lunch or dinner in the estate restaurant, Chalk, is a must – where the team use the best of fresh local produce in delicious seasonal menus.

Features

SingeGround Floor: Open plan kitchen & living area, downstairs bathroom with bath and shower over. The kitchen is fully equipped for a comfortable stay, including a Nespresso machine, washing machine and dishwasher. The living area has a comfortable double sofa bed and a TV. Huge windows mean that the space is flooded with natural light, and give outstanding views over surrounding countryside and up towards the South Downs. Wifi is provided by Starlink.

Mezzanine: A cosy, eaves space with kingsized bed, dressed with beautiful bed linen.

Outside: A sheltered & secluded terrace, complete with table & chairs for alfresco dining, parasol, and BBQ. There is off-road parking for two cars.

Children: Children are welcome (2 maximum) and a cot and highchair can be provided on request.

Pantry items: You will find a delicious bottle of Wiston Brut NV chilling in the fridge on arrival. Milk is also provided.

Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are allowed at the Wiston Pump House, with an extra charge of £25 per dog per stay.

Single nights: Single nights may be considered. Please enquire.

Location

The Pump House is tucked away in the heart of the Wiston Estate, surrounded by fields and rolling countryside; the estate itself forms part of the South Downs National Park. Wake to sheep grazing in the fields and the gentle sound of birdsong.
Despite all of that glorious isolation, the Wiston Pump House is easily accessible. Trains from London Victoria arrive to either Worthing or Horsham, and take under an hour and half – both stations are just 20 mins by taxi to the estate. Gatwick is approximately 40 minutes’ drive.

The nearest town is Steyning, just 5 minutes away, which is known as one of the most picturesque in Sussex, and offers a range of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, a monthly farmers market, and ample parking. Historic Arundel is around 25 minutes away, bustling Brighton around 35, and Chichester and the many and varied attractions of the Goodwood Estate around 40 minutes drive.

Things to do

The Wiston Estate itself offers a whole range of events from landscape and nature tours, to wellness events, creative workshops, and seasonal food & wine pairing. Don’t miss the Wiston Tour & Tasting, where guests learn about the history of the estate, why this area of the South Downs is so well suited to the production of incredible sparkling wines, and then finish with a tutored tasting.

There are plentiful, beautiful walks from your door at the Pump House, and miles and miles more in the surrounding area – not least on the South Downs Way, a 100 mile trail which takes in the chalk escarpments and ridges of the South Downs. The more energetic may want to take in the countryside on a mountain bike, and hire is freely available in this area (including eBikes, if you need a bit of extra help!)

Arundel is a wonderful place to spend a day – views of the city are dominated by Arundel Castle & Cathedral, both of which are worthy of a visit (the gardens are stunning, too). The Lido is open in the summer months, and the Wetland Centre offers boat safaris and plenty of holiday activities for children. Just beyond Arundel are the beaches of Littlehampton and Clymping.

Only slightly further afield – Brighton is famous for its’ independent shopping in the Lanes, and bustling, cosmopolitan seafront. Chichester is a small city with a rich cultural past and present, with museums exploring its roman history, the renowned Chichester Festival Theatre, and wonderful Pallant House Gallery of modern art.

Food and Drink

You don’t need to go far here to sample Sussex’s wonderful local wine, and delicious local produce! The Wiston winery shop is open daily, and stocks the estate’s full range of award-winning sparkling and still wines. The Chalk restaurant, also based at the winery, is a stunning converted barn and courtyard, which takes its name from the geography of the South Downs. Lunch, dinner (served Friday & Saturday), and weekend breakfasts are all an absolute treat, and use the best of the local area, including the estate and its neighbours, in short, seasonal menus.

Nearby Steyning offers a range of small independent cafés such as The Cobblestone Tea House, and pub dining at the White Horse Smokehouse & Grill. It also hosts a food & drink festival every September celebrating the best of the region’s artisan food & drink producers.

The Black Rabbit pub, in Arundel, offers stunning views across the river and wetlands towards Arundel castle, while the Parsons Table is renowned for fine dining in a relaxed and informal setting.

If you’re planning to cook and enjoy meals at your own table, there are a wealth of farm shops in the area, and Steyning offers a Waitrose supermarket, a butcher, and Truffles Bakery, as well as its monthly farmers market.