at Powdermills
Creative in nature — earthy, colourful, and community-minded. Design by House of Dré honours the building's industrial heritage while injecting playful colour. Bespoke British-made furniture by Seb Cox, locally crafted ceramics by Holly Dawes and woodwork by Alistair Laburnan. The vibe is Birch-adjacent: active, unpretentious, and quietly focused on doing good things in good company.
Book the hot and cold contrast therapy class — sauna to ice bath to lake plunge to hot tub — it runs twice a week and is genuinely transformative
Why It Matters
Named a Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2026. The first property in a planned five-hotel 'Crafted' group, built by one of the Birch team. Genuine rewilding work underway on the estate — not just marketing language. Membership model (£180/month) sits alongside hotel stays, creating a real local community rather than a transient guest list. Rooms were designed to feel genuinely different from each other, partly because the heritage building demands it.
A Georgian Grade II-listed former gunpowder mill turned country hotel and members' club on a 78-acre estate around a seven-acre private lake near Battle, East Sussex. Opened late 2024 after a complete overhaul, this is the first in a planned series of 'life-friendly' hotels from Chris King — co-founder of the much-loved Birch hotel — designed to pull people away from screens and into nature, craft, and decent food. Think rewilded woodland, lakeside sauna sessions, padel courts, pottery classes, and a kitchen garden that genuinely feeds the restaurant.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Ash Cottage
A 3-bedroom self-catering cottage within the estate grounds, sleeping 6. Ground floor has a fully equipped kitchen (gas hob, electric ovens, fridge-freezer, dishwasher) and comfortable living areas. Three bedrooms share the same design intention as the main hotel rooms. Full access to all hotel amenities including restaurant, pub, gym, sauna, and activities.
Mixed
Cosy
The entry-level room, but 'entry-level' is doing heavy lifting here — these are beautifully designed spaces built for simplicity. Bespoke British-made furniture, bespoke Verden toiletries, Roberts radios, and free bottled water. Some are screen-free by design. Five ground-floor rooms across the property are mobility-friendly; two of the Cosy rooms fall in this category.
Double · 17 sqm
Heritage
A step up in size, and all Heritage rooms sit in the main Georgian house. The heritage listing means layouts vary — some have higher ceilings, some have quirky nooks. All have been fully modernised, particularly the bathrooms. House of Dré colour palette throughout.
Double or King · 22 sqm
Junior Suite
Around 28m² and scattered across the property — some in the main house, some in the converted barn. The most flexible category for location: certain rooms have balconies, lakeside terraces, or pool views. Two Junior Suites on the ground floor are suitable for guests with some mobility requirements. Worth checking individual descriptions at booking as they vary significantly.
King · 28 sqm
Lake House
The standout private option: 5 bedrooms sleeping 10, with a tiered lakeside garden, private outdoor pool (open May–September, heating on request), pool house with table tennis, and a deck directly onto the lake. The kitchen seats 10 at the dining table; there's also a main lounge, homely snug with smart TV, and large conservatory. Downstairs is a cosy king-size room; upstairs has one king-size room, one bunk room, and two en-suite rooms, plus a shared family bathroom with a soaking tub.
Mixed (Kings, Bunk)
Oak Cottage
A 3-bedroom cottage sleeping 6, with a full kitchen and easy-going living spaces set up for reading, board games, or movie nights. Same hotel-quality design as the main rooms. Suited to families, friend groups, or teams on an away day. Full access to all hotel amenities.
Mixed
Suite
Always over 32m², always with a separate sitting area, TV, drinks cabinet, and complimentary minibar. Coffee machines included. The ones with alfresco decks and lake or pool views are the clear pick — a berobed stroll to the lakeside wellness area is a genuine perk. These are the most consistently special rooms on the property.
King · 32 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A guided walk through the estate grounds after dark to observe the natural glow of biofluorescent organisms and plants. One of the most unusual and memorable offerings on the property.
Multiple self-guided walking routes across 78 acres of ancient woodland, streams, and chalk hill pastures. Maps available at reception. A 30-minute route leads directly into Battle. Guided rewilding tours also available — recommended for understanding what the hotel is doing environmentally.
An immersive dinner where each course is designed around a different colour palette and paired with a mini art workshop.
A stylish co-working space open to members and hotel guests, with privacy pods. Designed to fuel collective creativity for remote workers or those needing a focused day.
A large fitness centre in the renovated barn with Technogym equipment and a studio for group classes. Open Mon–Fri 06:30–21:00, Sat–Sun 07:00–19:00. Classes include Vinyasa, Hatha Yoga, Yin & Yang, Restorative Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Sculpt, Core30, HIIT Cardio, PowerHIIT, WOD (workout of the day), Engine Room cardio, and strength and conditioning.
Make the most of the seven-acre private lake. Available to book every day 07:00–19:00 (last booking 18:00). Paddles, kayaks, and paddleboards all available.
Stand-up paddleboarding on the seven-acre private lake. Bookable daily 07:00–19:00. The Lakeside Wellness On Us offer includes two hours of complimentary paddleboard and kayak access for weekday stays.
Regular DJ nights in the Green Room cocktail bar (Fri–Sat). Disco house and good music for when you want the quieter vibe to shift.
Two padel courts bookable up to two weeks in advance. Seasonal hours: summer 07:00–21:00; autumn/winter 08:00–15:00. Monday classes for beginners and advanced players (max 10 per class). Rackets and balls available to hire or buy.
Held in the Craft Barn. Sessions include Kurinuki Tea Bowl making (a Japanese hand-building technique) and Earth Ball Making (dorodango — sculpting dirt and water into a polished sphere). Bookable in advance.
Turn seasonal produce into pickles, jams, and ferments. You take home a jar (or two) of your own handiwork.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
An emerald-hued art-packed library and a light-drenched fire-warmed parlour — inviting spaces for gatherings and quiet reading.
A dedicated craft barn and separate art studio in the grounds where workshops and maker sessions take place. Local artist Holly Dawes works from the craft barn.
Rates include a buffet breakfast with Sussex produce and a selection of hot dishes.
Two private dining areas: one intimate space in the main restaurant (bookable from 14 covers via SevenRooms), another tucked between the lounges. Private lunches, dinners, and drinks in the woods also available.
Spare wellington boots available for guests who arrive without appropriate footwear for the grounds. Useful in wet weather.
Local membership at £180/month giving access to all hotel amenities, activities, and community events. Open application process — the hotel actively seeks a diverse mix of people.
Multiple free car parks on site with EV charging points.
Dogs welcome in designated rooms (not suites) for £30/night. Must be kept on a lead in communal areas. Not permitted in the restaurant or Green Room. Cannot be left unattended.
The hotel is fully cashless — card payments only.
A seasonal outdoor saltwater pool set in the grassy courtyard adjacent to the restaurant. Open 07:00–20:00, April to September. A more conventional option alongside the wild swimming lake.
Complimentary electric vehicle shuttles to and from Battle train station. Must be scheduled in advance — arrange when booking.
BUILD YOUR CRAFTED AT POWDERMILLS PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning