After having read Travesse’s guide to Buckinghamshire I had this pressing urge to leave the city for the weekend and do a bit of countryside exploring. I packed up my leather holdall with a few bits and pieces to see me through the muddy fields, country pubs and a quaint b+b, and set off to West Sussex for a very English staycation.

Destination: West Sussex, England

High Hampstead courtyard and rooms

Sleep: We discovered High Hampstead, a beautiful set of apartments and rooms through a friend of ours. The buildings are well renovated and tastefully decorated with views set to take your breath away. What’s more guests are invited to bring their horses. Just the breakfast was worth the trip there alone.

Noah’s Ark

Eat: For lunch we hit Noah’s Ark, a 16th century Inn, for a hearty and traditional bit of English grub. It’s a great place for watching the locals. For supper we headed to the Horse Guards Inn where Sam, the very attentive landlord made sure we had the perfect evening. The menu is seasonal and practically everything on it is locally sourced. I had a haggis and hare starter and South Down’s venison for main course followed by some smelly cheeses and home made jelly.

Drink: In one of the local pubs.

Off the beaten track: There are lots of signposted footpaths that’ll take you through the fields, hills and windy roads. You’ll stumble across some breathtaking views.

Holiday clothes for destination: I packed my Hunter wellies, my old waxed Barbour jacket, lots of wool and a pair of velvet trainers for the pub. This is definitely not a place for dressing up.

Wellies by Hunter, £75.

Beauty for destination: Moisuturiser and hand cream. That’s about it.

Facial hydrating cream by Aesop, £81.

Don’t forget to pack: A portable chess set, a pack of cards and a camera.

Souvenirs: Fresh hen eggs and preserves from the Horse Guards Inn.