Crafted at Powdermills is leaning hard into the experience economy
Set in the East Sussex countryside just outside Battle, Crafted at Powdermills has taken over the former PowderMills Hotel, which was once a dodgy wedding venue but has now been repositioned as a design-led “lifestyle hotel”. In fact, everything has been “crafted” with a story, from the uniforms to the ceramics, floor tiles and more.
The estate stretches across acres of parkland, centred around a large lake, and it’s been set up so you’re never short of things to do – going on holiday to relax is well and truly a thing of the past. You can take a boat out on the water, follow walking trails through the woods, or get involved in workshops like pickling and pottery in the on-site studio. There are also padel and pickleball courts, an outdoor pool, sauna, hot and cold therapy pools, plus a full schedule of HIIT, yoga and barre classes. If that all sounds like too much, there are board games, books and plenty of spots to just sit with a drink too. Essentially, you’ll never get bored here.
Rooms are split between the main house and lodges across the grounds. Ours was in the Black Barn, with a small balcony overlooking the pool and lake. Design-wise it’s clean and modern, with big, comfortable beds, and thoughtful extras like solid tea and coffee options and complimentary minibar snacks.
The main restaurant, beautifully designed by interior designer House of Dre, focuses on seasonal British produce, with a menu that changes regularly depending on what’s available. Dishes like whipped cod’s roe, mushroom gougères, soda bread with leek butter and steak tartare topped with crispy chicken skin all land well. Add triple-cooked chips and freshly baked madeleines and it’s hard not to over-order.
The drinks list leans local too, with options like Nightingale pét-nat cider and wines from Westwell. There’s also a pub on site pouring carbon-neutral lager alongside a menu of more casual, but no less hypey, dishes.
Breakfast follows the same formula. A local spread of cheeses, meats and breads, plus hot dishes like kimchi eggs on seeded bread and a full English if you want to go all out.
Service is relaxed rather than polished, so if you’re expecting full five-star treatment, this isn’t that. It’s also still finding its feet in places. But for the price, it offers strong value, especially given the setting and the sheer amount you can do without leaving the grounds.
It’s super easy to get to as well, even without a car. Just get the train down to Battle from London Bridge, and the hotel will pick you up in their funky green-and-pink branded VW Buzz electric camper. So if you want a countryside stay that’s easy to reach and action packed, Crafted at Powdermills is a solid shout.
Key Information
Address | Powdermill Ln, East Sussex, Battle TN33 0SP
For more information | staycrafted.com
