SET IN the East Sussex countryside, around a private lake in Battle, just 20 minutes away from Hastings, Crafted at Powdermills offers the kind of escape that makes leaving the city feel particularly worthwhile. Housed within a Georgian estate, with interiors designed by House of Dré, the hotel balances bold design with the quiet ease of a country retreat.
Crafted at Powdermills exterior
Bedroom suite
Inside, the rooms continue the same sense of character, with rich materials, distinctive details and interiors that feel considered without becoming overly polished. There is a sense of luxury throughout, but it is one that feels relaxed and lived-in rather than formal, somewhere designed to settle into rather than simply stay in.
Much of Crafted’s appeal lies in its ability to offer as much or as little as you want from a weekend away. Days can be spent playing padel, making use of the fitness facilities or taking a swim in the lake before retreating to the sauna and steam room. For those looking to do very little at all, the surroundings offer an equally compelling reason to slow down.
Sauna
Food is another important part of the experience, with a focus on fresh, seasonal produce, much of it grown in the hotel’s own allotment. The private members’ and guests’ bar adds another layer to the stay, offering a relaxed space to unwind in private.
The highlight was the Forest Feast with Steven Edwards, the former MasterChef winner. Set amongst the trees, the evening brought together food, nature and hospitality in a way that felt distinctly connected to the landscape. Surrounded by the forest and seasonal produce, it was an experience that captured what Crafted does best.
A short drive from the city but feeling a world away, Crafted at Powdermills is the kind of place that makes doing nothing feel like a very good idea.
by Lewis Munro
Powdermill Lane, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0SP