The White Hart Lewes is a recently refurbished hotel with a cosy simplicity that mirrors the quaint and historical town it sits in. Part of Heartwood Collection and sister company to Brasserie Blanc, The White Hart is conveniently located on the train line to London, around an hour from London Victoria and fifteen minutes from Brighton. I’m here to visit following a multi-million pound refurbishment and can’t wait to see what’s in store. Keep reading for The White Hart Lewes Hotel Review from us here at Seen in the City.
The White Hart Lewes Hotel Review – All You Need To Know
Lewes itself is a beautiful town with a rich heritage. Winding, cobbled alleyways lead to boutique shops and cosy cafes and the silhouette of the castle stands proudly against a crisp blue skyline. It’s a chilly winter’s day when I visit and the sun is beginning to set. The White Hart has retained its historical facade, and you can imagine the grand three-storey Georgian townhouse as it would have looked back in the 1700’s when it was a local pub often frequented by up-and-coming political maverick Thomas Paine.
Low level lighting from inside sends a warm orange glow to melt onto the pavement and it takes little persuasion to push open the door and be welcomed inside. This is a real countryside hotel where you can relax in the front pub-style area after a walk along the South Downs, dog in tow, or where you can dress up for dinner in their brasserie nestled at the rear of the building. Candles flicker on tables, the air smells of cooking and coffee and there’s a low hum of chatter that just adds to the ambience. I head through to the reception desk where check-in is quick, service friendly and I’m handed my key. My room is one of their latest to be refurbished and is located a short walk outside.
The White Hart Lewes Hotel – The Rooms
I walk through a white-washed corridor complete with luscious greenery and rattan lanterns, before reaching an exterior door. There isn’t much of a view from the room, but that doesn’t matter here. Instead, you’re welcomed into a beautiful cosy space where you want to curl up with a cup of tea, watch a film and just let the super king-size bed and sumptuously soft pillows envelop you for the foreseeable. Decadent and spacious, the room ticks all the boxes when looking for a night away somewhere special.
Wood panelling adorns the wall and beige carpet swirls underfoot. There’s a beautiful dresser complete with a vanity mirror ideal for getting ready for the night and plenty of storage space in the matching drawers and wardrobe set. A teal, velvet sofa sits at the foot of the bed, offering an additional space to sit and relax and a retro-style radio plays relaxing tunes.
The bathroom here is also unique in design. Elegantly decorated blush and light pink tiles adorn the walls and floor, while a gilt black chandelier hangs from the ceiling. A large roll-top bath takes centre stage, and a shower that spans the length of the wall can be found at the far end of the room. It’s a bathroom designed with decadence in mind, where you can feel the historic charm seep through every inch of its pores.
The White Hart Lewes – Food and Drink
Food-wise, the on-site restaurant is the ideal spot to spend an evening. You can either dine in a beautiful oak-panelled room complete with tall ceilings, low-level lighting and a beautiful fireplace, or in their more contemporary styled orangery. Candles flicker on tables, while diners eagerly tuck into a menu of seasonal, expertly crafted dishes. Floor to ceiling windows offer a glimpse to their outdoor terrace, a beautiful spot to enjoy a cocktail or two at sunset, or soak up the rays on a warm summers day.
The food is divine, with plenty of hearty classics such as burgers or fish and chips, as well as more elevated options such as an oak-smoked outdoor bred pork ribeye or an artichoke and chestnut mushroom pithivier. Staff are friendly, service is efficient and each dish is cooked perfectly. It’s somewhere you can head on a date with your other half, or bring your family and friends for a social evening out where you know you won’t be disappointed.
Once you’ve eaten as much as is physically possible and stopped in the adjoining pub for a glass of wine or locally brewed Harveys, you can drag yourself back to your room where a good night’s sleep is guaranteed. The duvet wraps its arms tight around you, moonlight slices through a chink in the curtains and the sound of silence makes it all too easy to fall into a deep slumber. Be sure to stop by the restaurant for breakfast the next day, where you can watch the weak morning sunlight over the South Downs and enjoy a cup of coffee and a full-english before exploring the town.
Book Your Stay At The White Hart Lewes
The White Hart in Lewes brings a much-needed luxurious yet comforting place to stay in a quaint and historic town just begging to be explored. For those that want to experience the bustling city of Brighton but stay somewhere where you can truly let your stresses melt away, this is it. Whether you’re after a romantic getaway, a solo escape or a trip with friends, The White Hart won’t let you down. You can book your stay below, or a table in the restaurant here. What do you think of our The White Hart Lewes Hotel Review? Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions!
The White Hart Lewes
Book here
55 High St, Lewes, BN7 1XE
