Hassocks Retreat is a 3-bedroom Victorian house in the village of Hassocks, sleeping up to 6 guests on the edge of the South Downs National Park. It's a short walk to the high street and Hassocks station, where trains reach Brighton in about 10 minutes, Gatwick in around 20 and central London in under an hour. The house has kept its period character. The original pine floorboards in the dining room have been restored, and there are cast-iron fireplaces, built-in bookshelves and a bay window at the front. On the ground floor you'll find a living room with a smart TV, a separate dining room seating 6 and a fitted kitchen that opens onto the garden.

Upstairs, the first floor has the bathroom and two bedrooms, including a king-size room at the front with built-in wardrobes. The loft room on the second floor has two single beds under twin skylights and a desk, handy if someone needs to work. Fibre Wi-Fi runs through the house, with an extra access point on every floor. Out the back, the enclosed garden has a paved patio with a dining table, steamer chairs and a quieter seating corner at the far end.

Pets are welcome, which makes this a good fit for families, groups of friends and walkers bringing the dog. Footpaths from nearby Parklands Copse lead to the Jack and Jill windmills, Wolstonbury Hill and Ditchling Beacon, so you can leave the car where it is.

There's on-street parking at the front and a public car park behind the house. With one bathroom between 3 bedrooms, it suits groups happy to share.

• 27-minute drive to the beach
• 7-minute drive to Jack and Jill Windmills

Whether you’re visiting for a city break, work trip or seaside escape, [Property Name] offers a welcoming and well-connected space to unwind and enjoy [Location] at its best.

Why Guests Love Staying at Hassocks Retreat

• The South Downs from the front door A two-minute walk takes you into Parklands Copse, and from there footpaths run to the Jack and Jill windmills, Wolstonbury Hill and Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs Way.
• Brighton, Gatwick and London by train Hassocks station is a few minutes' walk away. Brighton is about 10 minutes by train, Gatwick around 20 and London Victoria or London Bridge just under an hour.
• Bring the dog Pets are welcome, and the enclosed back garden gives them somewhere to settle after a long walk on the Downs.
• A Victorian home with real character Restored pine floorboards, cast-iron fireplaces, shelves full of books and, on the stairs, macro photographs by local photographer Kutub Uddin from his award-winning Secret Worlds series.

PROPERTY LAYOUT

The house is spread over 3 floors, with 1 step up to the front door.

• Ground floor: the entrance hall leads to the living room on the left, then the dining room, with the kitchen at the back and a door out to the garden.
• First floor: the bathroom is at the top of the first flight of stairs. A second short flight leads to two bedrooms, the smaller room first and then the king-size room at the front.
• Second floor: a winding staircase climbs to the loft room with two single beds and a desk.

The only bathroom is on the first floor, so guests sleeping in the loft come down one flight to use it.

LIVING AREA

The living room sits at the front of the house, with a bay window, wooden blinds and a deep blue chimney wall framing the original cast-iron fireplace. Two sofas face each other across a coffee table, with a rocking chair tucked into the bay.

• 43-inch TCL smart TV, so you can sign in to your own streaming apps
• Built-in bookshelves stocked with novels and travel reads
• Fibre Wi-Fi with an extra access point on each floor, so the signal holds up in the loft too
• Central heating throughout

On the way up the stairs, look out for the framed photographs by Kutub Uddin. They're from Secret Worlds, which won the Portfolio Award at the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and show structures only a millimetre or two high.

KITCHEN

The kitchen is located at the back of the house, with direct access to the garden. It is equipped for preparing meals during your stay and includes an oven, hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer. Cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils and the usual kitchen essentials are provided, making it easy to prepare anything from a quick breakfast to a relaxed evening meal.

BEDROOMS

• Bedroom 1 - Main bedroom - King-size bed, sleeps 2 (first floor, front)
• Bedroom 2 - Two small single beds, which can be zipped together to form a double (7 days' notice), sleeps 2 (First Floor)
• Bedroom 3 - Loft Twin on the Second floor, two standard single beds, sleeps 2
• Each bedroom has a hairdryer, and we provide plenty of fresh bed linen for all beds.

BATHROOM

• The family bathroom is on the first floor, with a bath and shower over behind a glass screen, a WC and a basin set into a white vanity unit. There's a herringbone floor, a frosted window and a shaver socket by the mirror. We provide plenty of bath towels, hand towels and bath mats.

GARDEN

The lovely back garden is accessed directly from the kitchen, providing a relaxing outdoor space to enjoy warmer days and summer evenings. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a countryside walk or simply enjoy some fresh air during your stay.

PARKING

• On-street parking is available at the front of the house.
• There is also a large public car park behind the property at 8 Dale Avenue. The stated parking guidance is that vehicles should be moved at least once within 23 hours. Please check the current signs and restrictions on arrival, as parking rules may change.

ABOUT THE AREA

Hassocks is a welcoming village on the edge of the South Downs National Park, combining independent shops and local cafés with easy access to the surrounding countryside. The high street is only a short walk away, with grocery shops, butchers, cafés and restaurants for everyday essentials and relaxed meals out. Local favourites include Green Folk for food and Eastwood Café for coffee and occasional evening events. The Sussex Grocer is particularly convenient, accessible across the car park and road from the rear garden. You’ll also find a vintage shop at the end of the road, well worth a browse. The village market is usually held on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 9am to 12.30pm, near the Age Concern car park. Stallholders rotate, offering a changing selection of local produce and goods. Please check current dates and details before visiting.

NEARBY WALKS AND DAYS OUT

• Jack and Jill Windmills – Two well-known landmarks on the South Downs, offering lovely views and a rewarding countryside outing.
• Wolstonbury Hill – A scenic local walk with far-reaching views across the surrounding landscape.
• Ditchling Beacon – One of the South Downs’ best-known viewpoints, accessible via local footpaths and the South Downs Way.
• Parklands Copse, Lag Wood and Butcher’s Wood – A lovely local loop, with bluebells carpeting parts of the woodland in spring.
• Ditchling village – A picturesque neighbouring village, reachable on foot via the Sussex Border Path.
• Brighton – Around 10 minutes by train, with its famous seafront, Royal Pavilion, independent shops, restaurants and Palace Pier.
• Hurstpierpoint – A neighbouring village worth exploring for its local shops and places to eat.
• For a special meal out, the owner recommends The Ginger Fox, a short drive away, particularly for its garden setting.

HASSOCKS GOES GOLD

Each September, Hassocks Goes Gold brings the village together to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research, in memory of Pearl Dixie. The event features golden window displays, a village trail, community activities and other fundraising events. Parklands Road takes part, with local schoolchildren’s drawings displayed in house windows. If you’re visiting in September, enjoy a stroll along the road and see how many you can spot. Dates, activities and events vary, so check the latest information through Hassocks Goes Gold or Hassocks Life.

ART AND LOCAL CHARACTER

The photographs displayed on the stairs are by local wildlife photographer Kutub Uddin, from his Secret Worlds series. The series won the Portfolio Award in the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026. His extraordinary photographs capture tiny natural structures measuring just one to two millimetres high. Take a moment to appreciate these remarkable images as you explore the house.

IN ADDITION

• There is an iron, an ironing board and a hairdryer for guests to use
• Late check-out fee - £50+VAT per half hour, unless a late check-out has been agreed upon in advance
• Not returning keys to key safe: £ 200 + VAT
• This property is pet-friendly. A £95 pet fee applies per stay.
• This accommodation has stairs and may not be suitable for guests with disabilities or limited mobility.

At My Getaways, every property is designed to feel like a true home away from home. Whether you're visiting with family, travelling with friends, or staying for work, our friendly team is available 7 days a week to help make your stay comfortable and seamless from booking through to check-out. Please note: Before check-in, all guests are required to select one damage deposit option through a secure My Getaways link, separate from your accommodation booking. This is a standard requirement for all bookings and helps protect our owners' homes.

What our guests say

My Getaways is rated 4.69 out of 5 from more than 3,100 guest reviews on Airbnb, Booking.com, Google and Trustpilot. Hassocks Retreat is new to our collection, so its own reviews will appear here after the first stays.

From our team

"Walk out of the front door, through Parklands Copse and up to the Jack and Jill windmills, then come back to a garden for the dog and a pub supper in the village." – The My Getaways team ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We want you to have the best possible experience with My Getaways. Here's a friendly guest guide to help your stay run smoothly.

Our guest promise

• We want you to arrive at a spotless home. If anything has been missed with the cleaning, please let us know straight away and we'll put it right as a priority. If we can't resolve it on the same business day, we'll offer to move you to another property or refund you for the affected time.

Check-in

• We'll send your check-in instructions by email and SMS at 3pm on your arrival day. Check-in is from 4pm, once your damage deposit or waiver is in place.

Maximum occupancy

• Hassocks Retreat sleeps a maximum of 6 guests. Additional visitors are not allowed without our prior agreement.

Smoking

• To keep the house fresh for every guest, smoking or vaping of any kind, including e-cigarettes, is not allowed indoors. Please smoke in the garden, away from doors and windows.

Noise

• Hassocks Retreat is on a quiet residential street with neighbours either side, so please keep noise to a minimum between 10pm and 8am. A little consideration goes a long way to making sure everyone gets a good night's sleep.
• Not all properties can host hen, stag or similar group celebrations. If you're planning one, drop us a message and we'll happily point you to a property that suits your group.
• Call-outs for excessive noise or parties may incur a fee.

Pets

• Hassocks Retreat is pet-friendly. Please keep the garden gate closed. £95 pet fee is applicable for all pets travelling with.

Rubbish and recycling

• Inside, the general waste and recycling bins pull out from the cupboard below the counter beside the fridge. The food waste caddy is on the shelf in the same cupboard.
• Outside, at the front of the house, the black bin is for general waste, the blue-lidded bin is for recycling and the smaller green bin is for food waste. There is no glass collection.
• Food waste is collected weekly, recycling every two weeks and general waste every three weeks, so please bag rubbish well and don't overfill the bins.

Parking

• If you use the Dale Avenue car park behind the house, please follow the time limit on the signs and move your car before it runs out.

Fireplaces

• The cast-iron fireplaces are decorative and must not be lit.

Check-out

• Check-out is by 11am. Unauthorised late departures will be charged at £50 + VAT per half hour.
• Before you leave, and as a courtesy to the next guests, please:
  • wash up any used dishes
  • bag your rubbish and use the correct recycling bins
  • return the keys to the key safe
  • switch off the lights
  • close all windows
  • turn down the heating
• These steps help us prepare for the next guests and save energy.

Age policy

• The lead guest must be 21 or over. We can't accept bookings where most of the guests are under 21. If you're unsure, please contact us before booking.

A quick note on deposits and property care

• If any of these guidelines aren't followed, My Getaways reserves the right to take appropriate action. This may include deductions from your deposit or, in serious cases, ending your stay.

Thank you for helping keep things running smoothly for everyone. We hope you have a fantastic stay!