The Milkhouse

Ashurst, Sussex
Self-catering
+44 (0)1903 810410
Visit owner's website

Per night
£118 - £146
Per week
£855 - £1025

2 beds

Bedroom

2 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 4

Children welcome
Babies welcome

A red-brick cottage and Shepherd’s hut in a magical garden with a cookery school and views over the South Downs

Per night
£118 - £146
Per week
£855 - £1025

Visit the owner's site and book direct with them. No fees or fuss from us.

What part does Sawday’s play?

Use our quick form to drop the owner a line asking anything you need to know.

Ask a question

£118 - £146 per night

£855 - £1025 per week

The Experience

Owners Les and Louise, passionate foodies, run an award-winning bread-making school where you can perfect your baking skills. They also host pop-up supper clubs and seasonal events, run Indian cookery and chocolate-making classes.

Home-laid eggs, home-buzzed honey and a freshly baked loaf are waiting to help you settle into your charming, beamed cottage – the Shepherd’s hut for overflow is in the garden. Find a huge fireplace, pretty bedrooms, a dinky country kitchen and colourful garden views. Spot many birds, squirrels, rabbits and wild deer, snooze in the sunny conservatory.

The market town of Steyning is a five-minute drive for shops and plenty of places to eat, or you can walk less than a mile to a good pub with big gardens, The Fountain at Ashurst. There are many thriving vineyards nearby for tastings.

The Milkhouse - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The superb and varied walking through scenic countryside, the salty coast and the rippling South Downs
  • Visiting all the vineyards in the area for tasting tours and buying wine to take home
  • Joining one of the courses or attending a pop-up event
The Milkhouse - Gallery

You should know

  • The second bedroom is accessed via the main bedroom and lacks cupboard space
  • The kitchen is more like a kitchenette, best suited to light meal preparation
  • Mind your bonce on low beams downstairs

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £118
Weekly price
from £855
Damage deposit
£150
1 Cottage for 4
From £1182 beds2 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
4pm
Check out
10am
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Meals
Pubs/restaurants 2 miles.

Reviews

I would enjoy spending a quiet weekend in either the Shepherd's Hut or the Milkhouse – which both offer all the comforts with style and simplicity as well as the option to learn the art of baking with a world-renowned teacher. I would also enjoy relaxing on the lawn while watching deer grazing.
Inspected Fiona Sawday's Inspector

Rhona, Stoneykirk

Stayed in the gorgeous Shepherd’s Hut in ‘21. Perfect summer break, (sort of) camping, comfort and wildlife all in one. Meals outside, swimming, deer, badgers and a family of barn owls. Heaven. This year, The Brewhouse. Again perfect. Somewhere to come back to each day to relax and recharge. The cottage is beautifully quirky and yet so warm and comfortable. Les and Louise are really kind hearted hosts who made us welcome and who provide the best eats ever in a welcome basket. Popped next door for some baking, short stroll home at the end of the day armed with goodies. Simply delightful.


Genevieve, Shoreham

Artisan Bakehouse is a dream. We rented both cottages and the Shepherds Hut for our wedding. The accommodation is beautiful; super clean, pretty, spacious and very comfortable. Every little detail has been thought of. The Shepherds Hut is so lovely, everything you want & more. All of our guests commented on the magical venue, food and service. There is not one thing I would change about our wedding day and I just wish I could do it all again there. Les, Louise and the team are the loveliest of people and I would highly recommend everything about Artisan Bakehouse. Stay you will not regret it!


Chelsea, Henfield

Shepherd Hut delight! - My partner and I stayed for a few nights in late August, we were quite taken back at how spotlessly clean and well-kept the shepherds hut was. We absolutely loved going for a swim in the swimming pool and then sitting out in front of the open fire all evening. Great value for money with the breakfast included. Will definitely be returning soon.


Alison, Horsham

Perfect ! - We booked both cottages and the Shepherd's Hut over the weekend of our Civil Partnership for ourselves and some guests and we also had our wedding reception at the Bakehouse. Everything was perfect! - All the accommodation is clean and comfortable; the meal was delicious and relaxed; Louise and Les at the Bakehouse are kind, lovely, and very helpful! We couldn't have asked for more! I recommend wholeheartedly!


Location

The neighbourhood

The Milkhouse is on the fringe of the South Downs National Park – walkers, cyclists and horse riders will all love exploring the network of public footpaths. The south coast beaches are a 10-minute drive and the Knepp Estate is 10 mins down the road. Medieval Arundel and its imposing castle are about the same.

Local points of interest from Les & Louise Nicholson

  • The ancient &historic village of Steyning just 5 mins away.It has a welcoming atmosphere & there are plenty of individual & eclectic shops, cafes & great tearooms. A bustling farmers market is also held first Sat of the month so you can enjoy local produce
  • Surrounded by miles of unspoilt countryside, on the edge of the South Downs national park, a haven for walkers, cyclists & nature lovers.
  • A choice of south coast beaches are within 10-40 mins drive. Choose from stretches of sand for lazy walks, the promenade at Brighton to run or stroll, pebbles to throw and the spectacular white cliffs at Seven Sisters national park are just breathtaking
  • We offer artisan bread making workshops on site where you can learn to make bread & cook it in our traditional wood oven. We also host other food demonstrations/events from time to time. Join in during your stay or just enjoy some freshly baked bread!
  • There are lots of amazing vineyards with tours and tastings on our doorstep: Wiston wine estate, Kingsbrook, Nutbourne, Nyetimber, to name just a few!
  • We have some wonderful therapists who can visit to provide massage treatments, reflexology, facials & other lovely pampering treatments to leave you feel relaxed & renewed. From time to time we host retreat days focusing on pilates, yoga, nutrition.

Introducing

Les & Louise Nicholson

Les and Louise, just next door, were Sawday's owners in France for over 10 years before moving to their lovely house in Sussex in 2012. They are passionate about their award-winning bakery training, supper clubs and food demos – it's worth joining one if you can.