The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa, Midhurst, West Sussex

Located in Midhurst's town centre, you should expect traffic noise through its historic windows. The major attraction on the doorstep is the Cowdray Estate, and you can reach further sporting activity at Goodwood about ten miles away. Pretty Petworth, a little closer, offers antique shops and a National Trust house with a deer park. You can play golf, shoot clay pigeons and try your luck fly-fishing at Cowdray, an estate that includes the ruins of a Tudor manor house.

By car: Midhurst is a two-hour drive from London and 1 hour 20 minutes from Brighton. Oxford is also a two-hour drive away. There is plenty of free parking at the hotel.

By train: The train from London Waterloo to Haslemere takes approximately 55 minutes with a further 15-minute taxi ride to the hotel. Book trains to Haslemere.

Many elements date back to the 15th-century, primarily in the lattice-windowed bar, the dining room and the bedrooms above. Some low beams are even padded for safety. A conservatory-style covered terrace leads through to the modern spa and a heritage function room.

Service was formal and attentive and the staff was well versed in the hotel's history. Besides the pool and spa, facilities include a characterful bar and residents' lounges. You can also hire the impressive Jacobean Hall for weddings and other events. Cycle hire can be arranged.

• Restaurant
• Bar

• Spa

• Indoor heated pool

• Gym

• Fitness classes

• Garden

• Terrace

• Pets allowed
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Accommodation spans the old and newer wings. Depending on which of the rooms you choose, you could have antiques and a four-poster bed or a more contemporary style haven. Rooms at the back will be quieter. The Classic rooms were the most recently updated.

Room types: Cosy, Classic, Midhurst, Sussex Four Poster, Feature Four Poster, Sussex Junior Suites, Queen's Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Temple Spa toiletries, tea and coffee-making facilities, homemade biscuits, TV, free Wi-Fi

Lunches are good value; dinners more formal and pricey. Menus are relatively safe (chicken supreme, rump of lamb, pasta), but steaks and triple-cooked chips will please. Afternoon tea is also served. The bar has over 100 gins.

Restaurant and bar: refined European dishes, light bites, long drinks list with more than 100 gins. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. 8am-11pm. Three courses £38.