More than 70 years after the O'Brien family first opened their Edwardian country house to the Cowdray Park set, third-generation owner Seamus O'Brien presides over a thriving spa hotel. From standard rooms to family suites, the accommodation is a contemporary take on traditional English country-house style. Some rooms have a balcony or patio. Dual-aspect master rooms have a bath and power shower. All have homemade biscuits, fine toiletries, 24-hour room service. With the South Downs on the doorstep, and golf, tennis, bowls, croquet and swimming on site, this is the perfect place for a restorative yet active stay. You can order from an all-day menu, enjoy a Sunday roast, take afternoon tea on the terrace, or horse around in a bar adorned with polo memorabilia. At dinner, locally sourced dishes might include interesting choices such as summer black truffle, homemade saffron tagliatelle, parmesan cream sauce, or miso and honey-glazed pork tenderloin with sesame broccoli, jasmine rice and ginger jus. At breakfast, choices include kippers, a full English or smoked salmon with scrambled egg.