The Three B’s, Beautiful ‘Barns’, Beautiful ‘Brighton’ and Hoorah for ‘British’ Summers.

Living in the UK always pulls me towards warmer climates, when searching for a holiday or a short break,  there is no need to question why when the summers never seem to fully show themselves. Anything planned for outdoors seems to be rushed inside when the heavens open.  But in doing this I forget how beautiful this country can be, the stunning places to stay and the beaches which go on for miles. As I always state, friends are rolling eyes, you cannot beat a warm, sunny British summer day.  When the sun does comes out, I would not want to be anywhere else. Amazingly the three day trip to  East Sussex was full of sunshine, and although I had to carry my own case as this was a family trip with my mum and sister and niece, it completely reaffirmed my love for trips in England.

We decided to stay at the gorgeous Blue Door Barns in between Lewes and the South Downs, we booked through http://www.i-escape.com  a firm favourite of ours.  We book the majority of our trips through them, with such variation all over the world and they also have a collection of great family abodes, when you are after a place that welcomes kiddies but still offers style and thought for the grown ups, no plastic city in sight!

After stacking up the car as if we were leaving for a year, (a family problem I do feel) we reached the Seven Sisters for lunch time, and tucked into a picnic along the canal.  Happy memories of childhood holidays came flooding back,  rolling hills, picnics and the smell of summer in the air all kicking off our little trip.  We walked the mile to the coast, a blue, blue sky, agriculture, rolling heels, and white cliffs jagged into the pebble beach.  The sun was pouring in and even after a half hour energy stop of paddles in the sea, short naps on the picnic blanket, we managed to catch the sun.

After a slow stroll back we packed back up and found our little bolt-hole for two nights, just a twenty minute drive from the Seven Sisters.

Blue Door barns  http://www.bluedoorbarns.com/  has been warmly created by Bryony and Emma, they are so welcoming and have such flawless attention to detail, and  clearly a passion for interiors.  Blue Door Barns offer self catering and B&B accommodation in 16th Century converted barns, rustic but also so very stylish, so much thought and care has gone into the creation, yet again I was constantly stealing ideas to re create the feel at home.  We stayed in the Little Lodge, but there are four different options depending on size, all with a little outside area.  We had a peak in a few and all lined up the ones we would stay in next time.

The Little Lodge, had a double bedroom, thoughtfully furnished with a gorgeous bathroom and a big comfortable bed.  The bathroom, another WOW moment,  complete with roll top bath, which was as much fun for a two year old as it was for auntie to chill out in.  The lovely small and completely equipped kitchen, runs into the living area which is full of interesting furnishings, books and candles, thoughtfully picked out at a flea market or an antiques fair, creating a light, stylish but a warm and relaxed feel. The prints on the wall gave a Parisian touch with the gorgeous chandelier adding that element of glam and the ‘shabby chic’ that readers will know makes me happy! The back blue doors opened out to a little patio area, full of mirrors (yes will be doing this in my garden now) boxed flowers and seating areas for warm summer evenings in candle light, complete with BBQ.  A perfect oasis for our stay.

We settled in so very quickly!

You’d think that after the day we had at the seaside and sitting in our lodge surrounded by the beautiful country side we would be relaxed enough…But Alas…  We could not turn down a treatment in the ‘Snug’ the cosiest and most beautiful setting with warm aromas burning from the Blue Door Barns home made candles. Heaven!  There are a range of treatments on offer but we all decided to go for the one hour massage, and all said it was one of the best treatments we had ever had, the therapist was warm and friendly and amazing at her job, we highly recommend her.

After a quiet evening of sunsets, cups of tea and hot baths, we all hit the sack peacefully snoozing in the Great British Country Side.

The first morning walked up to the main house for the tastiest breakfast.  Our trip was complete with a greeting from Peggy the sweetest house pup and three big fluffy bunnies, much appreciated by my little niece.  Our table was set ready waiting for us complete with fresh coffee and juices, granola and fruit and yogurt, eggs and avocado and fresh toast, all eaten in the stunning  main house,  the house that is on the ultimate dream list. 

With the cosmopolitan Brighton a stone throw away and a favourite place for us all, we decided to take the day to wonder around the lanes.  Picking up perfect vintage finds at Wolf & Gypsy and trawling though clothes, books, prints and hardware at Snoopers Paradise,  of course completely inspired by Blue Door Barns,  to find bits and bobs to recreate the magic of our lodge at home. No trip to Brighton is complete without a stop at the Lavender Rooms in the North Lanes, picking up scented candles and pieces of fashion jewelry.  We stopped at The Flower Pot in the North Lanes, for cappuccinos and the biggest slice of banana cake, finding our way to the beach.  Britain at its best, the famous Victorian sea front,  blue of every shade, sea, sky and stripy deck chairs.   With the famous pier stretching into the water, the smell of fish and chips and the sounds of the crashing waves, oh what a place, to be beside the sea side and the perfect spot for a few afternoon ZZZ’s.

After a walk along the pier and fun on the rides, by my niece not me.  We left the fun fair and candy floss behind for an early dinner,  all hatching plans of when we will be returning to fabulous Brighton.

The historic town of Lewes is a ten minute drive from Blue Door Barns, and is that perfect place to wander.  Independent boutique shops that you feel the need to buy everything in, bakeries and cafes with mouthwatering eats, perfect tudor style refresher coloured houses, oozing in style but cocooned with so much history, it was the perfect way to spend our last morning in East Sussex.   So after a little bit (maybe quite a lot) of shopping and a blueberry cupcake to die for from the Flint Owl Bakery, we made our way home. 

…Sun kissed, (albeit a little burnt) full of fresh air, full of cake and full of lovely memories made by three generations of girls who share so much laughter and fun together and happen to all like very beautiful places!

Thank you to Blue Door Barns for a wonderful stay and of course to your loan of the biggest Winnie The Poo, when the gorgeous surroundings all became a bit too much for one. We will be back, this time I may bring my husband….. To carry the cases of course.

We booked our stay with www.i-escape.com but you can go direct through their website.  www.bluedoorbarns.com It is about an hour on a train out of London.  Brighton is a thirty minute drive, and Lewes fifteen and of the lovely Seven Sisters are a stone throw away, great for picnics and walks.  Treatments- a must, can be arranged by Emma and Bryony and are a must.  They can also advise the best beaches, shops, restaurants around.             

Enjoy!