REVIEW: Romantic Sussex castle brings a unique 'normality'

She meant that it was a real treat to finally escape the last vestiges of lockdown and go away for the weekend.

But sipping champagne in the oak drawing room at a one thousand year old castle was anything but normal.

For Amberley Castle hotel is an extraordinary setting by any measure. A supreme blend of the ancient and the romantic. A wonderful luxury that lifts the spirits.

Suits of armour line the stairs while historic paintings of people past stare down in the miniature cathedral of a dining hall.

Castles, of course, especially Amberley with its high stone walls and portcullis represent both sanctuary and safety.

During the height of the Northern Ireland troubles the secretary of state for that great land visited Amberley Castle. The portcullis was lowered and he was reported as saying - perhaps apocryphcally - it was the only time he had felt safe during all his years in high office.

Today, safety takes another form. The enemy is invisible - Covid 19. But the protection of the hotel guests appears to be taken with equal gavitas. A sophisticated cleaning regime is in place and the dining hall has only half the number of tables than before.

The grand reception room below now accommodates the other diners.

We were invited to the Castle to review it as part of our #supportlocal campaign. Our visit was independent and not linked to any advertisement spend.

But it was clear that despite the restrictions business was booming. Deservedly so.

While London might be struggling for both commuters and customers, the great country house hotels of any note appear to be fully booked. Certainly Amberley was on the night of our visit.

We have known this establishment for most of the years it has been an hotel. During that time there have been many enhancements.

But the tranquility, emphasised by the idle wildbrooks to the north and the spine of the South Downs to the front, is timeless.

Like the other couple in the oak room, we enjoyed a glass of the house champagne before a terrific dinner.

Morning breakfast, once a happy buffet, is now out of necessity table service only.

But it was so good to be back and for a fleeting 24 hours forget the oppressive headlines of tiers, lockdowns and restrictions on all our ways of life.

There has never been a more welcome refuge in such a tempestuous sea of life.