Bolebroke Castle at Hartfield, the village made famous by Pooh Bear, was built around 1480 and is the earlierst brick built building in Sussex. Henry VIII used Bolebroke when he went hunting for wild boar and venison in the nearby Ashdown Forest. Anne Boleyn, who lived at Hever Castle five miles away was courted by Henry VIII from there. Bolebroke was recently used as a location for the film 'The Other Boleyn Girl'. It is set in a stunningly beautiful location on a 30 acre estate away from main roads and noise, where pheasant and deer roam the meadows and woodlands. Each season provides its own beauty - in springtime the carpets of daffodils and bulbs, the rhododendrons of May-June, the mantles of water lillies on the lakes in July-August and the turning of the Virginia Creeper to red on the castle and the autumn tints of September-October. The castle has been loved and cared for through the centuries and has a wealth of history having been owned by the Earls and Dukes of Dorset. There are many fine rooms with orginal beamed ceilings and wood panelling. There are many tapestries depicting scenes of the period and fine pieces of 16th century furniture. The Elizabethan staircase carved from solid oak is one of the finest in existence. The Great Hall has the second largest fireplace in England and there is a fine collection of arms and armour displayed here. The Banqueting Hall contains find wood panelling and a very unusual ceiling, decorated with motives of animals of the forest. Both the King's Bedchamber and The Henry 8th Suite have magnificent ornately caved four-poster beds, a loung suite and en-suite bathroom. In the village one mile away there are two very good 15th century pubs with excellent restaurants.
Hotel Rating: Self Assessed 3 star