About Lydhurst and Us

We love Lydhurst because of the trees, because of the views, because of the varied architecture of the buildings; because of the bluebells in the woods and the sheep in the fields. We love the history. The landscape; the way it makes us feel.

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Bookings begin and end on Mondays and Fridays except over public holidays. Full weeks are required at some times of the year. See Pricing

About Lydhurst

Lydhurst is a family owned country estate in West Sussex. Nestling in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and renowned for its far-reaching views across the South Downs, Lydhurst is a picturesque landscape punctuated with intimate areas of woodland, formal gardens, lakes and parkland.

Designed as a haven, Lydhurst was for generations a place for a lucky few to enjoy.  We want to expand this legacy and share this enjoyment with others. Our vision for Lydhurst is founded in easy enjoyment, conservation, enhancement, and understanding; with our foremost objective being to care for this extraordinary landscape.  We think being here is a welcome retreat from time pressures, digital domination, closed-in horizons. We hope that when you are with us you can relax, reconnect with the natural environment; step back, recalibrate and reboot. But don’t worry, we have have good wifi too! Whether you like your nature close up, or mostly through a window next to a cosy fire, it’s good to re-connect.

On the estate you will see grazing cattle and working farm machinery, along with a team of dedicated gardeners and our estate manager. Many of the team live on site. We are all committed to maintaining and promoting the English countryside and are passionate about land stewardship and conservation.  If you would like to learn more about Lydhurst and what we do, please get in touch.

About Us

Adrian and Amber Baillie are passionate about the Sussex countryside and, as a family, have been involved in the conservation and management of the English countryside for generations. Lydhurst is not a faceless corporation – it is our home. We founded Lydhurst Cottages with the hope that we could share these properties and offer guests the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful part of the world. Coming back from the city with our two young children has reinforced to us just how important a bit of wilderness is. We want our guests to relax, to unwind, to breathe. To take walks (maybe even get a little lost) and to discover what we already know – that this is a special place and that we are lucky to be part of its story.

Adrian Baillie grew up here in Sussex and in London. Having lived in various cities he has returned to the countryside and is wondering why he didn’t spend more time outside when younger. His mother would have been surprised.

Amber Baillie grew up in California by the ocean. She came to London as a student in 1998 and hasn’t left. Her mother is no longer surprised, but not entirely resigned to this.

Adrian and Amber live in Warninglid, West Sussex with their two children and their (mostly naughty) pets. They will be disappointed if their children don’t spread their wings when grown. And then, in time, want to come back to somewhere natural and beautiful. As for the dog, we’re doing well if she listens and comes back at all. It’s the little things in life.