Crafted: Life-Friendly Sussex Luxury
Crafted: Life-Friendly Luxury in the Sussex Countryside
Georgian Serenity
The UK countryside is about to welcome a new name in contemporary hospitality: Crafted, a collection of life-friendly hotels and clubs designed for people craving connection, creativity, and calm. Launching in late 2025, the brand will debut with Crafted at Powdermills, a reimagined Georgian estate in East Sussex set against a breathtaking natural backdrop of lakes, woods, and wildflower meadows.
For Londoners looking to escape the pace of city life, and for international visitors seeking a new way to experience English luxury, Crafted represents something fresh and quietly radical: hospitality rooted in nature, steeped in design, and centred on the art of living well.
Photography by Miles Jack & Paris Hutchings
Crafted at Powdermills: Luxury Framed by Nature
At the heart of Crafted’s debut property is a seven-acre private lake, the defining feature of the estate and a stage for wellness, creativity, and restoration. Guests can swim in its clear waters, kayak or paddleboard at dawn, or relax in a sauna on its banks while the woodland shifts with the seasons. Outdoor yoga sessions beneath ancient trees and an open-air bathing pool extend the restorative experience year-round, weaving nature into daily rituals.
The estate’s 55 rooms and suites are located within a Grade II-listed Georgian country house, carefully restored to balance heritage and modernity. Interiors, designed by House of Dré, celebrate craftsmanship and playful colour while keeping a grounding connection to the surrounding landscape. Locally crafted ceramics, bespoke British-made furniture, and layered natural materials create spaces that are at once calming and contemporary. Each room feels like a retreat in itself—thoughtful, intimate, and quietly luxurious.
For families or groups, three private cottages offer extended stays with room to spread out. The Lake House, with five bedrooms, its own pool, garden, and a private deck stretching onto the water, epitomises Crafted’s philosophy of thoughtful design fused with nature. Perfect for retreats, celebrations, or simply a longer escape, it’s a house that elevates the art of gathering.
Design Philosophy: Crafted Inside and Out
Craftsmanship is more than a theme—it is the philosophy that informs every detail. House of Dré has approached Powdermills with sensitivity, honouring its industrial heritage while embracing contemporary British design. The interiors balance quiet luxury with creativity: bespoke joinery, layered textiles, and unexpected colour stories mirror the natural surroundings without ever feeling nostalgic. The result is a design language that is warm, relevant, and deeply connected to its place.
Everywhere, there is a sense of tactility. Handmade ceramics, sculptural lighting, and natural materials such as stone and timber add weight and permanence to the interiors. This is not a stage set; it’s a living, breathing environment that invites guests to slow down, touch, and notice.
A Destination for Creativity
What sets Crafted apart from other country retreats is its deep commitment to creativity. At Powdermills, the Craft Barn and Art Studio serve as dedicated spaces for making and experimenting. Guests will be able to try their hand at traditional crafts like ceramics, natural dyeing, or printmaking, alongside contemporary workshops exploring new techniques and approaches. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or a curious beginner, the studios are designed to remove barriers and invite play.
This emphasis on creativity speaks to Crafted’s wider philosophy: that rest, and imagination are not opposites but partners. By engaging both, the hotel hopes to help guests reconnect not only with nature, but also with themselves.
Food and Drink: Fiercely Seasonal, Locally Rooted
A major part of the Crafted experience is food, simple, seasonal, and deeply connected to its setting. Menus are designed to achieve 75% British provenance, drawing inspiration from the nearby Sussex coast and Kent orchards. Expect dishes that celebrate ingredients at their peak, prepared with clarity and respect rather than overcomplication.
The restaurant, set at the heart of the house, will be led by a soon-to-be-announced executive chef. Meanwhile, the pub will bring a more relaxed, convivial energy: English beers and wines, wood-fired pizzas, and open-grilled dishes perfect for long, sociable afternoons. Cocktails, including no- and low-alcohol options, will be crafted with the same playful, thoughtful approach.
Food here is not an afterthought, it is part of the rhythm of the place, inviting guests to eat well, slowly, and with intention.
A New Kind of Members’ Club
Crafted is not just a hotel. Powdermills will also function as a members’ club, but one that breaks away from London’s formula of exclusivity and formality. Instead, the focus is on balance, spaces where work, wellness, food, and community sit side by side. Members will find themselves part of a dynamic, supportive network while still enjoying the restorative benefits of nature and design. More details on membership will be revealed later this year.
The Vision Behind Crafted
Crafted is the vision of Chris King, co-founder of the award-winning Birch hotel. With Birch, King helped pioneer a new hospitality model that fused creativity with community, and with Crafted he pushes the idea further, placing nature and craftsmanship at the centre.
“Crafted at Powdermills is just the beginning,” King explains. “Each destination will be unique to its setting, but all will share the same spirit: nature-first, creatively charged, and thoughtfully designed for balancing modern lives.”
Beyond Powdermills: Exploring East Sussex
Part of the appeal of Crafted at Powdermills is its location, nestled in East Sussex, one of England’s most beautiful and culturally rich counties. For guests eager to explore beyond the hotel, there are plenty of attractions nearby.
For Londoners, the journey to Powdermills is simple, just over an hour by train from the city, making it a perfect weekend escape that feels worlds away.
Battle Abbey & 1066 Battlefield – Just minutes away, this historic site marks the location of the Battle of Hastings, offering a fascinating glimpse into England’s medieval past.
Rye – A charming medieval town with cobbled streets, independent shops, and galleries, perfect for an afternoon of wandering.
Camber Sands – Known for its vast stretch of golden dunes, this beach is a must for walks, picnics, and wild swimming.
Winchelsea and the Romney Marshes – Areas of outstanding natural beauty, rich in wildlife and ideal for walking or cycling.
Sussex Vineyards – East Sussex has become a hub for English wine, with nearby vineyards such as Chapel Down, Nyetimber and Gusbourne offering tastings and tours.
The Future of Life-Friendly Luxury
With Crafted at Powdermills, Chris King and his team are redefining what modern hospitality can look like. It is not about spectacle or excess, but about balance: design that soothes and inspires, food that nourishes, and experiences that reconnect guests with the natural world.
As Crafted expands across the UK and beyond, each property will be unique but united by the same philosophy, thoughtful design, nature-first living, and the invitation to step out of autopilot and into a more intentional way of life.
For those seeking a contemporary countryside escape where creativity, comfort, and connection meet, Crafted at Powdermills promises to be one of the most anticipated openings of 2025.
Photography by Miles Jack & Paris Hutchings
Crafted at Powdermills, Powdermill Lane, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0SP