“Half memoir, half travel, A Yank Back to England...is an absolutely wonderful book, not only about going home again but also about love and family and tradition and the passage of the years.”
—Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prize-winning literary critic (Washington
Post)
To see the entire quote, click here.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Who knew this was here?


The Hilton House had nothing to do with the hotel chain. Located just beyond Gatwick Airport near the village of Cuckfield, the former Victorian country mansion had been gently converted into a private hotel. Lounges were filled with large overstuffed chairs. The music room had a baby grand. We found the conservatory filled with a wide array of exotic foliage, pineapple plants and orchids. As we walked through, the glass doors that led outside were flanked by tumbling rose shrubs and hyacinth. We strolled onto the grounds across a carpet of green. Old stone birdbaths were surrounded by islands of geraniums, well-weathered park benches were perfectly placed for guests to enjoy the views beyond the garden.

6 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

Sounds absolutley charming! I would love to stay there a night or two. Lovely picture. You and your daughter?

The Prodigal Tourist said...

Yes, this is how England should always be! A far cry from Dagenham, that's for sure. That's Kate -- she was 3 1/2 or so then.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Love these old stately homes...
It's one of the things I miss most about England.
History everywhere. We tend to fix things, instead of bulldozing them under.

Carol Murdock said...

My kind of place, a place I could relax and enjoy! I envy you your stay there!

Tash said...

it looks pretty nice! if you're still in the sussex area, try to get yourself to Battle and Beckley in east sussex - they're really lovely olde worlde places, and in Beckley, there's a great little country pub called 'The Rose and Crown' or, as the locals call it, 'the rosie' got some history with the king of the gypsies too - i can't remember it exactly, something to do with a tradition of the gypsies trading horses there? I can't remember.. but there's a clipping stuck to the wall and Alice, the landlady should be able to tell you about it. Really good food there too - I recommend anything with gravy - the gravy is amazing!

The Prodigal Tourist said...

What was I thinking? Kate is 4 1/2 in that photo.
Tash--this all happened several years ago, when we rented a cottage each year with my parents.