By Lyn Funnell

Passing through the high wrought iron gates, we drove slowly along the curved drive, with beautiful landscaped gardens on each side.

And there in front of us was the stately sight of Mount Ephraim. 300 years of history. Stunning!

We parked our car and walked to the B&B door. We were really looking forward to spending the night in such luxury surroundings.

Let me backtrack now.

In the Summer we were driving along in Newick, Sussex when we saw a sign advertising English Cherries. As they are the tastiest cherries In the world, we pulled into the layby to buy some. Itzel, the girl selling them, gave me the details of the fruit farm at Mount Ephraim Gardens, I gave them a call, and it all led from there.

https://unknownkentandsussex.co.uk/kent-cherries-the-best/

There was a row of little security boxes in the hall and we’d been given a code to collect our key.

Our room, called Maid, was up two flights of stairs and through a fire door, at the end of the corridor.

We unlocked the door and -wow! The room has two large windows with views over the gardens, with the sea in the distance. And there’s a bathroom which was obviously once another bedroom. Both the bedroom and the bathroom have little fireplaces in them.

There was a large bath. Relief! I hate showers.

A kettle and a well-stocked tray supply tea and coffee, with top-ups at the end of the corridor.

And the bed – 10/10 for comfort.

Let me suggest a couple of things that I’d have liked to have had;

A stool or chair in the bathroom would have made dressing easier. And a small table beside the sink for washing bags, makeup, etc. Also dressing-gowns and slippers. But I’m being picky.

We went out for an exciting stroll round the 13+ acres of garden, which will be covered in Part 2 along with the fruit farm.

Breakfast was served in the old staff kitchen, which has the most wonderful huge kitchen range in it.

Elliott Payne served scrambled egg with smoked salmon for me and Full English for John.

‘Wow, I’ve got half a whale here!’ I said.

‘Better too much than not enough,’ was Elliott’s reply.

He and his partner Sophie McGaw live in a house in the grounds. They are very busy in the Summer season, making and serving tea, coffee, and cream teas.

Elliott is a handyman, so when things are quiet, he goes round checking for minor repairs and paint jobs.

Our room was perfect, which is amazing in such an old house, with no cracked skirting boards, etc.

Lucy Dawes, the daughter of the owners, showed us round the main part of the house.

Mount Ephraim has belonged to the Dawes family for over 300 years.

It mainly relies on weddings nowadays to pay for the upkeep of the house.

They also have several music festivals in the summer.

With the beautiful house and the amazing gardens, I can’t think of a better venue for a wedding or a special party.

Would I go back there? Yes yes yes! I’d love to see it with snow covering the ground.

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