Abingworth Hall
South Downs
Country living just got cosier at this former farmhouse. Abingworth Hall is just a skip away from the village of Thakeham at the foot of the South Downs – a landscape of ancient woodland, hidden valleys, chalky cliffs, and high-backed hills so deserving of its national park status finally bestowed in 2010. While the views from the doorstep are as wow-worthy as you’d expect, the walking opportunities around the sightseeing greats such as Devil’s Dyke, Seven Sisters Country Park, Kingley Vale, Parham House, and the Clayton Windmills (known locally as Jack and Jill) are equally standout. You’ll also be within easy driving distance of several historic towns and cities, most fabulously Arundel, Chichester, and Brighton.
Abingworth Hall
| • Open February to November and during the festive season • 27 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 35 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • Full-board (including cream tea on arrival) • Free Wi-Fi • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • Travel cot & high chair • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Three lounges • Heated outdoor pool (open May to September*) • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point |  |
Then & now at Abingworth Hall
Some 800 years of history are encapsulated within Abingworth Hall’s walls. Parish records reference Roger of Abingworth in 1231, but this was very much a working farm until the 19th century (the 1861 census citied farmer Edward Upperland as the owner of ‘Abingworth Place’). Later converted into a three-storey residence complete with an ornamental lake, it was advertised in 1905 as ‘a residential estate with pleasure grounds, agricultural buildings, dwelling house, eight cottages, fertile meadow, arable lands, orchards, and market gardens’. Following a fire, the house was completely rebuilt in 1910 by new owner, Charles Stanley Peach – an architect most famous for designing the Centre Court stadium at Wimbledon in 1921. In 1913, ownership transferred to Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley, grandfather of notorious fascist Oswald Mosley, and later to Captain Frank Elliot Stobart whose wife, Faith, landscaped the gardens that remain today. In 1945, the estate was purchased by mushroom-growers AG Lingfield and the house renamed Abingworth Hall. It has been part of our HF Holidays line-up since 1994.
Nowadays, there’s 27 well-appointed guest rooms in two categories (Classic and Premium), a dining room for a range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients, and three comfortable lounges – the largest of which opens onto an attractive conservatory and a licensed bar. There’s also a ballroom, books and games to borrow during your stay, a handy boot and drying room, and a Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and easy-to-follow information for self-guided walks. Elsewhere, there’s eight acres of lovely gardens and an outdoor heated pool (open from May to September*).
*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am and 16:00pm – 18:30pm
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Abingworth Hall has 27 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: The Premium Rooms for views of the impossibly pretty surroundings.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Abingworth Hall
House calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Discover South Downs
Places to visit
Whether you’re enjoying a guided or self-guided walking holiday, there’s always the opportunity to linger for longer. Here’s our pick of the very best things to see and do within easy travelling distance of Abingworth Hall.
Arundel
Just a 30-minute drive away, this picturesque West Sussex market town is most famous for two landmarks: Arundel Castle and Arundel Cathedral. A short way from the town centre is the open-air Amberley Museum with over 40 exhibits spread across its 36 acres.
Arundel Wetlands Centre
A 30-minute drive away, this 60-acre nature reserve run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust provides a protected habitat for swans, geese, ducks, and other beautiful wetland birds. Boat safaris are available, weather permitting.
Bignor Roman Villa
Home to some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the UK, this courtyard villa turned visitor attraction is the heart of the South Downs National Park. The land is still farmed by the family of George Tupper, the farmer who discovered the site whilst ploughing in 1811.
Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve
Just four miles away, this nature-rich area is set in the sheltered Arun Valley within the South Downs National Park. Expect a great variety of habitats (wetlands, heathland, woodland) as well as some wonderful wildlife viewing. The visitor centre is open year-round.
Uppark House & Garden
A 50-minute drive away, this 17th century stately National Trust property set within intimate gardens and woodland overlooking the South Downs was loving restored following a fire in 1989. Interiors include Grand Tour paintings and a very impressive dolls' house.
Parham House & Gardens
Set the foot of the South Downs, this E-shaped Elizabethan mansion was built in 1557. Highlights include the deer park, mature trees, four-acre walled garden with herbaceous borders, and seven acres of landscaped pleasure grounds.
Fishbourne Roman Palace
Just a couple of miles outside Chichester, Britain’s largest residential Roman building was one of the great archaeological discoveries of the 1960s. The palace is most famous for its collection of mosaics, many of which were identified early in the excavation campaign.
Petworth House & Park
Managed by the National Trust, this 17th century mansion set in a 700-acre deer park is a 30-minute drive away. The majestic grounds were designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and include the Ionic Rotunda erected in about 1765.
Weald & Download Living Museum
Having shot to fame as the filming location of the BBC’s The Repair Shop, this open-air museum brings the history of Sussex to life with over 50 historic buildings. One highlight is the working watermill dating from the early 17th century.
Bluebell Railway
Running across 11 miles from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead in Sussex, stopping at Horsted Keynes and Kingscote, the UK's first preserved heritage line is ideal for those who like the romantic thrill of steam travel. Special events are hosted throughout the year.
Getting to Abingworth Hall
Getting here
Address
Abingworth Hall
Storrington Road
Thakeham
West Sussex RH20 3EF
Tel: +44 (0)1798 813636
By train
The nearest station is Pulborough.
Pulborough station has a short platform, so you’ll need to check the departure boards for which carriage to sit in.
National Rail have up-to-date routes and train times.
By taxi
The six-mile journey from Pulborough railway station takes about 15 minutes.
It’s best to avoid arriving at Pulborough station between 2:50pm and 3:20pm as there may not be any taxis available due to school pick-ups.
For pricing, please contact the taxi company directly.
MJ Cars
You can pre-book a taxi from with MJ Cars*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1903 745414
Email: mjcars@btconnect.com
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Abingworth Hall.
*MJ Cars is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
Sue's Private Hire
You can pre-book a taxi with Sue's Private Hire* by phone, text or email. Please pre-book asap as there are no taxis based at Pulborough Station. Your journey will be mostly with a lady driver and an electric car.
Tel: +44 (0)1798 874848 / +44 (0)7918 137066
Email:- sueph520@yahoo.com
*Sue's Private Hire is not owned or managed by HF Holidays and prices are subject to change
By car
From the M25
Take either the A24 or the M23 and then the A264 towards Horsham. At the Great Daux roundabout go south on the A24 towards Worthing. Go straight over two roundabouts and then at the traffic lights turn right onto the A272 to Billingshurst and Petersfield. After three miles turn left onto the B2139. Abingworth Hall is approximately four miles from this junction on the left hand side (go past Abingworth Meadows and Thakeham Pre-School).
From the M27
Continue onto the A27 around Chichester. At the second roundabout take the first exit on to the A29, then the second exit on to the B2139 to Storrington. At the mini roundabout, take the second exit onto the A283. Continue through Storrington then turn onto the B2139 towards Thakeham. Take the second exit at the next mini roundabout, then the first exit. Continue down this road until you reach Abingworth Hall on the right.
By air
The nearest airport is Gatwick Airport.
The easiest way to get from Gatwick Airport to Abingworth Hall is by taxi, a 29-mile journey taking around 40 minutes.
