The trouble with sticking to the south coast to go west from Eastbourne is that it’s very built up, congested and in many paces not that an attractive drive. The A259 is pretty much the coast road from Eastbourne to Emsworth, at which point it’s very difficult not to end up on the A27 (just before the A3 junction). Then you’ve got the Portsmouth sprawl, followed in short order by Southampton!
For a pleasant, if somewhat slow overall, drive I’d be inclined to stay north of the A27 until Southampon area and drive through/along the edge of the downs, which in some places gives you really good views of the coast. Then drop south of the A27, through the New Forest (A31/A35?) and along the Dorset coast to Devon.
Stop over wise, depends how much progress you want to make!
This place www.spotinthewoods.co.uk on the edge of the New Forest has great rooms and food, and parking will be fine. Used to be called Terravina, and was set up by Gerard Basset and his wide, who were do founders of the Hotel Du Vin chain. Now rebranded as they’ve stepped back after 10 years, with less focus on the hotel I think. But the staff are the same, and the food is excellent. As were the rooms last time we stayed there (only a year or so ago)
If you want to stop before then then you really need to stop before Portsmouth for the kind of accommodation I reckon you’re after...and the location!
For a coastal location I’d recommend www.crab-lobster.co.uk at Siddlesham - which is well south of the A27 towards Selsey!
Or staying north of the A27 in the downs, maybe:
www.royaloakeastlavant.co.uk
badgerspetworth.co.uk
thewhitehorse.co.uk/find/
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