Tovey Lodge

Lewes sits at the foot of the South Downs, close enough to Brighton for a day trip yet far enough to feel like proper countryside. Tovey Lodge is a single-storey cottage on the edge of town, set within three acres of grounds that you share with the owners. The village of Ditchling, a mile away, has shops, pubs and a museum; walks up Ditchling Beacon and across the Common start nearby, and the Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park and various National Trust gardens are all within reasonable driving distance.

Inside, everything is on one floor. The bedroom has a double bed; the living room has a sofa bed suitable for children. The kitchen is equipped for self-catering, and there's a utility room with a washer-dryer. Bed linen, towels, wi-fi and electricity are included, along with heating. You get private parking for one car and a sitting-out area with garden furniture. The grounds contain a fenced pond about 50 yards from the cottage, and there's a trampoline for younger guests. Travel cots and highchairs are available.

This is a whole property to yourself, and one dog is welcome. It suits couples, small families and anyone wanting a quiet base with easy access to both countryside and the coast—the beach is eight miles away, and Brighton about ten minutes' drive. Smoking is not permitted inside.