Wonderful as Brighton is, sometimes you just need to get out of the city for a weekend, and so when a newly revamped hotel deep in the Sussex countryside invited us to stay, we jumped at the chance.
Crafted is a new members club based at the Powdermills Hotel, which has been lovingly restored and reimagined by hotelier Chris King as a “life friendly” retreat, just outside Battle.
We were asked to join the team for the opening of its second padel court, adding to the offerings for its more active guests.
Picture by Euan Baker
The padel courts are perched on a small hill overlooking the rest of the estate. But once you’re on the court, there’s no time for enjoying the views – your eye has to be strictly on the ball.
It’s a fast paced game, closer to squash than tennis. Despite my woeful skills – I can’t remember apologising so many times in such a short space of time – I can see exactly why it’s become so hugely popular across the country.
Here in Brighton and Hove, it’s nigh on impossible to book a court. Slots sell out faster than Glastonbury tickets at the courts at Hove Beach Park and Withdean.
While Crafted is possibly a little too far away for most people to travel just for a game or two, its two courts would make it a great place for a weekend break for anyone who’s caught the padel bug.
And once that itch is scratched, there’s so much more to do. The hotel’s grounds boast a beautiful lilypad-strewn lake.
On the shore overlooking the bathing area is a sauna, a wood-fired hot tub and a cold plunge bath, the perfect set up for some hot cold therapy after a couple of hours on the court.
Next to the courts is a well-equipped gym and a studio for yoga, pilates and more.
For those wanting a slower paced weekend, there’s plenty of more arts and crafts based activities in the barn, tucked away above the lake.
Classes in pottery, jewellery-making, ceramics, glass and textiles are regularly held, along with children’s classes for family breaks.
Beyond the lake is the woodland, with a trail running through the trees which at this time of year was also lined with wild garlic.
It’s probably a good time to confess that while we had the best intentions to try out the hot/cold therapy, we found ourselves detouring to the pub instead.
As well as a warm welcome, we enjoyed our own hot cold therapy of a roaring fire and a chilled glass of Picpoul de Pinet.
As the sun set, we headed back to our room to freshen up for dinner. This is when I discovered quite how powerful the showers are – the most high pressured one I’ve ever had. Who needs a massage?
It’s little things that make a difference, and the room was thoughtfully laid out with generous wardrobe space, an adjustable full-length mirror, hooks and a decent hairdryer which made getting ready a pleasure.
Then to one of the function rooms for a spicy margherita – which packed a welcome punch – and finally to the restaurant for a feast featuring a range of dishes from the private dining menu.
The standouts for me were the celeriac with mussels from the starters, and then the poached hake with clams Dijonnaise and soft herbs, and the rice pudding with orange, caramel and rhubarb.
These are all featured on the private dining menu for groups of 11 or more – but also feature on the a la carte menu.
After dinner, we headed back to the pub – and a chat around the firepit in the patio next to the bar.
And then it was finally time to sink into the amazing beds back in our room – where within minutes we were fast asleep.
After a peaceful night, we stayed for a breakfast, choosing from a buffet which ran the gamut from healthy vitamin shots and bircher muesli to pastries and cereal – as well as a menu offering cooked breakfasts.
And then, it was time to head off, well-rested and with a newfound desire to work out if there’s any way of getting onto some more local padel courts. And if not, we can always head back east.
Brighton and Hove News stayed as a guest of Crafted. For more information, click here.