Pretty as a Picture

This is Swanbourne Lodge at Arundel, Sussex.

The photo was taken earlier this year after a rare snowfall here in the south of England. This Jacobean building is lovely at the best of times but after it's dusting of snow it looks like a fairytale dwelling in Narnia.

It has other talents, one of which is a highly rated tearoom. The menu is impressive, as well as generous traditional English breakfasts (which I have never been able to finish!) there are soups, bakes, gratins, roasts, all of which are incredibly tasty. Vegetarians are well catered for too. And if you just want a snack, their coffee and toasted teacakes are a great combination.

The decor has a warm welcoming feel to it with fresh flowers on the tables and the biggest collection of novelty teapots I have ever seen in one place.

The Lodge sits at the edge of a boating lake and after eating you can go for a row, or maybe considering the size of the portions you get it may be wiser to go for a row before your meal!

Looks pretty good in the summer too!