Stay at Boship Lions Farm Hotel in Lower Dicker, Hailsham. Enjoy a 17th-century setting with free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, parking, and easy access to Eastbourne and Seven Sisters cliffs.
Guests appreciate the welcoming and accommodating staff, the well-maintained grounds and historic setting, and enjoyable dining experiences. Some note that while the hotel offers good value and character, some rooms may feel dated pending refurbishment.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Housed in a 17th-century country property set within 17 acres of grounds, Boship Lions Farm Hotel offers a low-key stay with a blend of historic charm and practical amenities. The hotel features simple rooms, some recently refurbished, alongside facilities such as an outdoor pool and tennis court, catering to guests seeking a relaxed atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi and parking are available, though the property does not offer air conditioning, a restaurant, or airport transfer services.
The setting off the A22 road between Eastbourne and Hailsham makes it a convenient base for exploring the South Downs National Park and local attractions like the Seven Sisters cliffs and Herstmonceux Castle. Families may appreciate the kid-friendly environment and access to on-site live animals, while those attending events will find the hotel suitable as a wedding venue; several reviews highlight excellent staff service and well-coordinated events.
Guest feedback reflects a generally positive experience, particularly praising the helpfulness of the management and staff, as well as the quality of food served during functions. However, some visitors note that parts of the property and certain rooms show signs of age and could benefit from further updates. The mix of historic features and quirky decor, such as gold statues around the grounds, contributes to the hotel’s unique character.
Practical check-in time is from 14:00 with check-out at 11:00. While the hotel does not provide breakfast or an on-site restaurant for casual dining, nearby options include other hotels within a few miles. The location is accessible by car from major airports such as London Gatwick, which is under an hour away. Overall, Boship Lions Farm Hotel suits visitors looking for a countryside retreat with event facilities and easy access to local attractions.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
I had the pleasure of having my wedding at the Boship. The GM, Stuart, is beyond fantastic. He made sure everything went according to plan and that we and all of our guests had a wonderful time. The food was absolutely amazing and the staff was incredibly helpful. We stayed in the grand suite and it was amazing! Jacuzzi tub and very comfy large bed. They are in the process of updating all of the rooms and everyone who stayed in them said they were great! Fantastic service and lovely, fun hotel all around!
It was the perfect venue for our fantastic family wedding held mid-week. The room was clean and the bed comfy. The hog roast for lunch, fish and chips for supper and full English the following morning all very nice indeed. Quite out of keeping with the original style is the random gold animal statues, gold gates, gold sanitising station etc. which was good fun and the kids loved it. The live animals all appeared happy and in good health. We all had the best time not because of the above, but because the staff were absolutely amazing, so friendly, flexible and 100% accommodating!! Would absolutely recommend unless you are over particular about things looking a tad tired and dated.
Absolutely amazing place! Staff were brilliant all of them, always happy to help with any query, especially the manager, Stuart, what a diamond! We were there for a wedding and the food cooked for the reception was amazing, can't believe how much I ate! The grounds and the building are very well maintained and when you sit in front of the fire you just don't to get up again. It was a really was a lovely, homey place that I would love to stay at during the summer. Highly recommend.
We attended a wedding here yesterday, it's a quirky hotel set in large grounds just off the A22 in Lower Dicker. From the animal statues around the grounds, the red man statues in the main dining room, and golden sparkling horse you could be forgiven for wondering what you've walked into. But never fear, Stuart and his team have got it all under control and a warm welcome from him and his staff await. The room we had was recently refurbished to a decent standard, I slept like a log. The food was plentiful and delicious, both during the wedding breakfast, but also at breakfast the next day. If you want a hotel in this area, close to Eastbourne, the South Downs and an excellent base from which to explore, or an event venue, give them a go, you won't be disappointed
We held a friends baby shower at the hotel and it couldn't have possibly gone any better. The staff were excellent from start to finish, the food was brilliant, the best afternoon tea we've had in a long time and all dietary requirements were met. We weren't rushed at all, anything we asked for was possible and we were allowed to bring decorations and the make our area our own. We were also allowed to go and see all the animals on the property which was a great end to the afternoon. We cant recommend the hotel enough and will definitely be back.
All the staff were exceptional, nothing was too much trouble and always with a smile The food in the dining room was excellent. Our room was one of the old rooms however we were privileged to have been given a tour of the refurbished section (not open yet) and it is absolutely magnificent. Well worth a visit.
I am giving the hotel four stars as we found the staff so lovely and the view of all the wonderful animals and birds was amazing. .We stayed in the stable block. .I do think it could do with some cosmetic changes. .more rustic furniture country style etc. .but the surrounding gardens were beautiful. .very good value. We will return to use their pool in summer.Michele from Surrey
This review is for afternoon tea for which a gift voucher from my daughters paid for. Wonderful afternoon tea and great attention to service and detail. Lovely fresh and plenty of it . Very friendly staff and we were greeted warmly by Hannah who was also our server. We were sadly the only customers it would have been nicer if more customers were there but it was a very wet Thursday afternoon in January just two weeks after Christmas so not surprising. This was our third visit and we will definitely go back again. Would recommend to anyone as it was delicious.
Set in a 1690s country house on 17 acres of grounds, this genteel hotel off the A22 road is 10 miles from Eastbourne town centre and beach, and 8 miles from the medieval Herstmonceux Castle.
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