Spa & Suites, Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield

Work is underway at Grade 2* listed 17th century Ockenden Manor in West Sussex for Historic Sussex Hotels. The site is set on the edge of the village of Cuckfield, within the conservation area, but outside of the Settlement Boundary of the village.

A new build 2000m2 spa and suites has been designed to sit within a derelict walled garden, home in the Victorian period, to accommodation and workshops for the gardeners tending what were in those times extensive ornamental gardens, greenhouses and kitchen gardens .

The steeply sloping site is enclosed on three sides with 18th century walls rising up to 5.5metres in height. The only view into or out of the site is to the west through a mature deciduous tree screen onto fields and woodland.
The multi layered building, much of which is set into the slope, is of a very contemporary design and is planned around a series of terraces stepped into the slope.
The architecture is simple in form and restrained in its use of a limited pallet of high quality materials and detailing. This principally inward looking development, reflects the containment and limited aspect of the walled garden itself.

The proposed use of the site is for peaceful activities, with the emphasis on low key leisure, fitness and well being. The spaces created, both internal and external and the design of those spaces in every detail, reflect a sense of peace and tranquillity, at one with the immediate pastoral setting.

At main roof level there is a private garden serving six large, exclusive and high specification luxury suites, each individually designed, providing additional hotel accommodation, directed principally at the spa guest.

In addition to the aesthetic and the mood of the proposals, there is an environmental principle, one that addresses sustainability and renewable sources of energy, making full use of what is available naturally.

Substantial work was completed in June 2010 to the historic hotel building itself, to provide new kitchens, laundry, staff facilities, dining room and a new conservatory extension to the function room.

This is the third of Historic Sussex Hotels destinations with which we have been involved, and on completion Ockenden Manor will be able to give guests from all around the world, as it has always been popular with overseas visitors, with an even more memorable visit.

The new development at the hotel, which will remain open throughout the contract, will be complete for full operation by September 2011.

The main contractor on this project was Lampard & Partners