The Mouse House

The Mouse House we are pleased to say, was not once home to a family of mice. Neither is it particularly small, but just a great name for what was once the farm food store in this beautifully converted farm building. The Mouse House is on a working beef farm on the edge of the village of West Chiltington. It is one of three stunningly converted farm buildings that form a private courtyard of holiday cottages on the edge of this working farm.

Converted a few years ago, it has retained the original features that these classic buildings have. The exposed roof timbers and vaulted ceiling space really open up the accommodation, and clever use of up-lighters show it off to good effect. This cottage is comprehensively equipped for two people with a large kitchen and living area and a double bedroom and shower room en-suite. Double doors open onto the courtyard shared with the other cottages which being away from the farm give a private area to relax and dine outside.

The Mouse House is just outside the South Downs National Park amongst beautiful scenery. It is central for much that Sussex has to offer and there are beautiful walks over the fields to the west towards the award winning Vineyards in Nutbourne, 2 miles away.

West Chiltington lies in the lea of the South Downs. It is a hidden treasure, full of charming cottages, winding lanes and friendly shops and pubs. This sprawling village has a 12th century church, a quiet charm and like many Sussex villages provides a tranquil retreat from the pressures of modern living. All this, and only 50 miles south of London.

The attractive church of St Mary is un-restored and has a spire covered with oak shingles and a roof of Horsham Stone. Ancient paintings dating from the 12th, 13th and 14th century can be clearly seen on the walls inside the building. The village stocks and whipping post are preserved outside the church and are believed to have been constructed in the mid-17th century. A small very interesting museum stands behind the church. West Chiltington is a village full of charming cottages winding lanes and friendly shops and pubs. It is this unique charm that makes the village so special. The South Downs National Park is three miles from the village West Chiltington being approximately halfway along its entire length and not too far from Chanctonbury Ring.

The Wildbrooks on the flood plain at nearby Pulborough offers many excellent walks along the banks of the River Arun and uninterrupted views south towards the Downs. The Pulborough Wildbrooks also contains one of the RSPB’s major reserves in the south and it all falls within the National Park. 3 miles away on the edge of nearby Storrington and nestling at the foot of the South Downs is Parham House a magnificent Elizabethan home that is a real jewel. To the west from West Chiltington is the historic market town of Petworth. It is best known as the location of the stately home Petworth House and deer park which was landscaped by Capability Brown. The house and its grounds are now owned and maintained by the National Trust. The magnificent country house contains an internationally renowned art collection with numerous works by Turner. Petworth itself was immortalised in his paintings. The town is full of quaint houses and cottages many within their own courtyard settings. They are interspersed with antique shops and tearooms, so it makes the ideal place for a stroll following a visit to Petworth House and Park. This area of West Sussex has a variety of events that occur through the year from Glorious Goodwood the Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival to the Arundel Festival racing at Fontwell and polo at Cowdray.