You may have seen some photographs of me, floating around on Instagram, where it looks like I have stepped straight out of a Mamma Mia set in Greece! Believe it or not, I haven’t (unfortunately), although the temperatures we’ve been having at the moment may make you disagree.
Those photographs were taken on Climping beach, just a short walk from Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa where I was fortunate enough to celebrate my Mum’s birthday last weekend.
My Mum always says she prefers to celebrate other people’s birthdays rather than her own and this year was no different. Whilst Dad had run round telling me and my two siblings the plan of action for Sunday, Mum was trying to decide what she wanted for her birthday dinner, which of course she wouldn’t be needing!
After opening presents in the morning Dad finally revealed the big secret, he was taking Mum and us for lunch at Bailiffscourt Hotel. I have to say, from the moment I stepped out the car I felt in awe of the place, not to mention because there was a helicopter sat casually on the lawn. The grounds and Hotel were simply beautiful, I’m talking picture postcard pretty and lunch did not disappoint! We had the ‘Sunday Lunch’ menu and I loved every single course, even loving food I had never tried before.
I had the Pigeon Salad to start, (Sliced wood pigeon breast, quail’s egg, fresh fig, toasted brioche, hazelnuts, bacon & shallot dressing) and the Salmon for main, (Grilled fillet, salsa verde, local English asparagus, beer battered courgette, glazed shallots, scallop veloute – the trimmings on my dish differed slightly as I had lobster on top but this is what I found on the menu online).
Finally, I couldn’t go without pudding, I had the Brownie for dessert, (Chocolate and walnut brownie, clotted cream ice cream, chocolate sauce, roasted flaked almonds) and it was the perfect end to the meal. Doesn’t it all sound amazing?
Feeling suitably full we wandered off into the grounds of the Hotel, which you are able to explore at your own leisure. Finding a tree swing is every child’s dream and rest assured we had to have a go, even Mum and Dad tried it too! After just a short walk we found ourselves on Climping beach but as it was quite hot we didn’t stay long and instead opted for a game of croquet on the front lawns of the hotel, in a more shaded spot. Now, I don’t want to brag but this was my first time playing croquet and I won (rules of play may be disputed)!
All in all it was an absolutely lovely day and Mum enjoyed every minute of it, I think the only way to have made it better would’ve been for her to stay overnight! We ended the day at home, celebrating some more with the classic ‘Colin the Caterpillar’ cake – there really is no better?
Maybe one day I will get to experience staying at this fabulous hotel! Thank you to Historic Sussex Hotels (HSH) for the opportunity and to the staff at Bailiffscourt Hotel for being so welcoming and for our stunning meal! (This is not a sponsored post, I simply had an amazing time celebrating my Mum’s birthday and wanted to share my experience with you all.)
Have you ever stayed here before, let me know in the comments below!
(My Dad doesn’t like his photo shared on social media so that’s why he is missing from the photographs).
(All photographs featured in this blog post are my own).
I’m so jealous! Looks like so much fun
Thank you, it was lovely!
Looks like you guys had a wonderful time!
We really did, thank you.
Wow Imogen! What a wonderful birthday treat for your Mum! You all look like you are having the best time. The tree swing looks so fun! I love your photography and the weather looked so gorgeous and sunny. Oh my, that chocolate brownie you described sounded delicious. Yum!! And yay, no birthday is complete without Colin The Caterpillar 😄. Thank you for sharing your lovely family day! 💖 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
It really was amazing, my Dad did good, didn’t he? We didn’t want to get off it, we spent so long swinging back and forth, could’ve stayed there all day! 😀 Thank you so much lovely, it was a beautiful day and the food just made it even better! Haha we literally have to have Colin with us at every birthday, otherwise it isn’t a birthday! 😀 Thank you for your lovely comment! <3 xx
Aw these photos are so cute and it looks and sounds like you had the best time! You got so lucky with the weather because it’s been raining the last couple of days here, you’re right these photos totally make it look like you’re abroad!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Thank you so much lovely, I know we did! It wasn’t too hot either to the point we couldn’t deal with it either so it was lovely! x
That looks like an amazing location and the food sounds delicious.
I hope your Mother had a wonderful birthday.
Thank you so much, she did, it was amazing! x
Happy birthday Imogen’s mom!! You guys look like you had a blast!💕
Thank you! (She says thank you too!) We had the best time! x
Oh this looks amazing, glad your mum had a lovely birthday! That lunch sounds incredible, grilled salmon is my absolute favourite and that dessert sounds so delicious. And omg I used to have a Colin the Caterpillar cake every year! Need to bring that tradition back haha, such a classic. You look gorgeous! Thanks for sharing x
Evie x | https://eviejayne.co.uk
Thank you so much! It was unbelievable, I ate it so quickly it was so tasty haha! We still do, he doesn’t miss a single birthday! 😀 You definitely need to bring him back! xx
This sounds like a perfect day out for a birthday! So fancy and picturesque. I wouldn’t have opted for those food options myself but I’m glad you enjoyed them. Hope your mam had a lovely birthday (I imagine she did). Love these pictures and I’m super jealous!
Great post,
Luce xo
Thank you lovely, I had a hard time deciding my starter for definite but thankfully it was good! She really did, thank you! 😀 xx
Aww I am so glad that you had a great time! Lovely picture and the food sounded yummy!!
Thank you so much, it was a lovely day! x
Greats post! You guys look like you really enjoyed yourselves out there! What did you use to take the photos though? Most of them are not that clear.
Thank you, it was lovely! That’s strange, they’re showing up fine for me on the post? They were taken on a bridge camera.
Huh. Well, nevermind then. Maybe it’s my phone or something. I enjoyed reading this post nevertheless. Made me want to go on holiday.
How strange, sorry about that! Glad to hear you enjoyed the post still!
Love the photos and the food sounds amazing!!!! Very posh hehe. That cake! I had that exact cake when I was a kid, love it! x
Thank you so much, we love it – the little ones are yummy too! 😀 X
This looks incredible! So glad you guys had a well-deserved wonderful time. Loving the photos too!
Sending you good vibes!
Nati x | http://www.naticreates.com | @naticreates
Thank you so much! 🙂
Sounds like it was quite a great day. Love the photographs.
Thank you, it was! 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful time! I am a big fan of Colin the Caterpillar cake – you can’t beat a good ol’ chocolate cake
We did, it was amazing – exactly, he’s the best cake to have! 😀
Sounds like such an amazing time! Love the post & the photos! I have to check this place out🤗
Thank you, we had the best time ever! x