It’s no wonder that hundreds upon hundreds descend upon South Lodge each year - this luxurious West Sussex hotel has everything you could possibly want, from an extensive spa with innovative treatments, fitness facilities and swimming pools, to 92 acres of stunning grounds, with rockeries, wildflower meadows, natural swimming pool and a vineyard to explore.
All of that, not to mention that South Lodge’s food and drink is some of the best in the area. Flagship restaurant Ben Wilkinson at The Pass has a Michelin star, and the hotel has two other restaurants worth visiting, as well as a quintessential afternoon tea served in the bright and airy Camellia restaurant. You can choose to take tea in plush lounge chairs, out on the terrace in the glorious sunshine, or in the cosy Drawing Room in the winter months.
Afternoon tea at South Lodge starts with sandwiches and savouries - a combination of classics like Coronation chicken, and smoked salmon, horseradish and cream cheese, and some more innovative combinations like shakshuka egg mayo and rocket. After that, tuck into vanilla and fruit scones, served with Cornish clotted cream, orange and grapefruit marmalade, strawberry preserve and limoncello curd.
To finish, enjoy South Lodge’s precision patisserie treats, like a rhubarb and custard mousse, apple and treacle tart, and Black Forest macaron, all alongside a bevy of fine teas. You can upgrade to a sparkling afternoon tea if you like, or a full wine flight with wines provided by English winemaker Ridgeview.
Kid’s needn’t be left out either - South Lodge’s ‘Little Lodgers’ afternoon tea serves up a little banquet of fruit juices, sandwiches, fresh scones and mini treats for the kids.