With a wildflower meadow, an on-site vineyard, and a lake that doubles as a natural swimming pool, South Lodge could easily be mistaken for a Mediterranean getaway. However, this sumptuous hotel, with its very own lakeside lodges near London – just over an hour away and one direct train from some of the capital’s main stations, in fact – making it perfect for a weekend getaway or serene staycation near London.
South Lodge sits in Horsham, West Sussex, and opened its doors in the 1880s as a private family home, before becoming a hotel in 1985. Today, it’s billed as far more than just a place to rest your head; this getaway is a nature-first, B Corp hotel and said to be a proper wellness escape. I went to check it out; read on for my review of South Lodge – does it live up to its credentials?
The surroundings
South Lodge is set amidst 92 acres of Sussex countryside. It is easily accessible from London via a direct train to Horsham station from London Bridge, Farringdon, City Thameslink, and London Blackfriars, then a short cab journey. Pulling off the road and onto the estate was a real wow moment: I felt like I was pulling up to a castle. Once I entered the reception building, I realised that despite the splendour that surrounds it, the place still felt like a welcoming home, from the fireplace in the lobby to the plethora of games.
The lovely service was second to none from the get-go, and we even had a golf-style buggy chauffeur us across the sprawling estate to our lodge (and anywhere else we wanted to visit on-site throughout our stay; we just WhatsApped reception and they came to pick us up!). We were advised that the perfectly pruned gardens we passed resulted from a little robot, lovingly named Mobi Wan Kenobi by the staff; he was clearly darn good at his job.
Lakeside lodges near London
There are a range of room types at South Lodge. Inside the main buildings, there are three wings, each with unique rooms (all named, not numbered) that vary in size, plus suite options for those who want a bit more space. I loved the cute mascot, Minty the Sheep, who not only appears on the hotel’s logo, but there is a stuffed toy replica of him in every room, which doubles as the “do not disturb” sign; he acts as a little bodyguard outside your door.
Grandest of all the room types, though, are The Reeds. Opened just this year (2024), these eight gorgeous lakeside lodges are located within the ground’s greenery; built using up-cycled, locally sourced, or naturally derived materials; and heated from the estate’s lake. The lake is right at your feet below the terrace, and if you’re brave enough, you can try wild swimming right in front of your lodge. I instead made a beeline for the outdoor hot tub bath on my terrace, which was like a warm hug on the cold November night (there’s an indoor bath and shower too, if that’s more your speed).
It was a dream come true to stay in one of the lakeside lodges near London for this South Lodge review. South Lodge anticipates guests’ every need before they think of them themselves: from the automated curtain openers to a separate, darker flannel specifically for removing make-up. The entire lodge put comfort at the forefront, with an electric fire (that still gave off heat), sumptuous bedding, and gorgeous toiletries. The South Downs view from the top bedroom – and the bottom floor too, for that matter – was positively magical, and really added to the natural soothing of this lakeside escape near London.
The restaurants
There are three dining spots at South Lodge – Bontanica, Camellia, and The Pass – each with their sparkling credentials.
🍴Firstly, there is Botanica, the wellness-focused, dairy-free restaurant that serves breakfast to dinner. The breakfast is inspired by the hotel’s walled garden, and the ingredients grown there; it is a zero-waste spot, where the offcuts of veg go into juices and jus. Breakfast was my favourite meal at South Lodge: the crunch of the potato rosti combined with the soft, earthy yolk, and the sprightly mini herbs, created a symphony of flavour – plus it was a gorgeous meal to look at!
🍴Next up, there is Camellia, which boasts three AA Rosettes; this was where I had my dinner during my stay. This restaurant showcases the best of British cuisine, and again, many ingredients used to create this seasonal menu come from the hotel’s walled garden, alongside other local Sussex providers. I really enjoyed the cauliflower and raisins served with my black pudding starter, while the beef fat triple-cooked chips, served with my steak, were absolutely divine. Everything was served to look as pretty as a picture, and smelt delicious. Dinner is taken in one of three rooms here with a real home away from home notion: it felt premium, yet simultaneously like a grand living room in someone’s house.
🍴Completing the trio of restaurants is Michelin-starred dining at The Pass. The head chef showcases his skills with a specially curated menu of local, seasonal ingredients, served in the heart of the kitchen. While I didn’t dine here myself, I was advised the experience lasts between two and three hours, and spans a seven-course tasting menu. The space holds just 28 covers, so is a very exclusive experience.
What else can you do at South Lodge, West Sussex?
When you stay at South Lodge, you have full access to the grounds. The hotel is home to an award-winning spa, with soothing, sustainable treatments that cover head to toe. What’s more, there is an indoor infinity pool, an outdoor thermal pool, a natural pool (in addition to the aforementioned lake where you can go wild cold water swimming), a sauna, and much more. You have access from 10am on the day of check-in until 5pm on the day of check-out.
I perhaps over-indulged during my stay, hopping like a squirrel between the outdoor thermal pool for a soak and the indoor infinity pool for long, leisurely lengths – in fact, we were able to watch squirrels and birds from the outdoor pool. While I eyed the natural pool and the ice shower bucket, I was not brave enough.
Elsewhere, you can find peace with a wander in the Walled Garden, or simply find a nook within the pristine grounds to while away some hours reading. The woodland creatures roam free, which is lovely, and we spotted deer and pheasants during out stay. The wildflower garden is said to be pretty come summer or winter. On-site, close to The Reeds’ lakeside lodges, you’ll see the vineyard, which is currently growing three grape varieties. In three to four years, South Lodge hopes to harvest enough for 30,000 bottles of their own, home-grown wine. I, for one, can’t wait to visit to taste some.
All in all, wow. South Lodge is truly something special. Not only does it live up to its credentials, but in my opinion, it surpasses them. What surprised me most though was despite its premium, five-star credentials, the place – and more importantly, its attentive staff – still had heart, soul, and warmth, which can often be missing from some of the high-end properties.
I can’t really sugar coat the cost, especially when it comes to staying in those phenomenal lakeside lodges, but if it’s any salve, those lodges can home a whole family, or the cost can be split between two couples. It’s time for me to get saving, as I need to return to these lakeside lodges near London.