...to ask for your help in locating a village in Surrey/Sussex I once drove through?

[Merryoldgoat]

This is a bit bonkers but I’ve seen the amazing things Mumsnetters can do so here you go...

About 5 years ago DH and I went to a wedding in Arundel and on the drive from Wimbledon area to Sussex, we passed through about 3 GORGEOUS villages. They had lovely village greens, rustic pubs, chocolate box cottages etc.

My DH and I are getting a night free of children soon and I would love to book a night in a nice inn in one of these villages.

Is there anyway you can help me work out which villages these might have been?

I wasn’t a driver then so I paid no attention to the route so can’t accurately retrace the journey looking on a map.

5 YEARS I’ve been thinking about these villages!!

Ooh, what a lovely thread! This is very much my neck of the woods - I live in one of the villages mention. Going to have to name change now!

Have a look in the area along the A285 - Barlavington, Duncton, West Burton. There are some beautiful villages and b&bs here. Also I think Amberley and Houghton could have been on your route and they're very pretty.

If you want a spa break I'd recommend Ockenden Manor in Cuckfield 👌🏼

Funny to find so many who grew up in the area! I grew up off the beaten track from the A272!

Has anyone suggested Henfield yet?

@BishopBrennansArse - isn't it?! I suppose the A272 is a pretty key road so many people will use it and stop off along the way. And I always think it's quite sparsely populated but there are so many towns, villages and hamlets there are bound to be lots of Mumsnetters around!

I’m so glad I started this thread - so many lovely places to visit!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions.

@Nakedavenger74 - that’s a shame - that kind of experience leaves a bad taste in the mouth, doesn’t it?

There was actually a book written about the A272 called An Ode to a Road. I bought it. I bought a book about a road. Mind you, for my 18th birthday my favourite present was a West Sussex street atlas, so I'm obviously just weird!

I have the A272 book! Seriously. About two people (Dutch) who walk the whole thing?

Yes!

I think my copy is in a box somewhere. Must dig it out!

...

I bet it was Ockley it has a river and a village green and is very pretty

We have often used the A283 coming back to London from Lewes via Arundel just to be able to dribe through Chiddingfold as it is so lovely - my husband proposed on the green after dinner at the Crown.....

@Londonmummy1966

That’s lovely! I’m almost certain we went on the A283 rather than A272 so maybe it was Chiddingford

It's Chiddingfold 😉

Aah, @londonmummy1966 - that's lovely!