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The Hovel

Lewes, Sussex
Self-catering
+44 (0)7973 439825
Visit owner's website

From
£120 - £170
per night

From
£840 - £1190
per week

Bright and spacious barn for two and a baby on the South Downs Way; close to Brighton and the coast

1 bed

1 bedroom

Sleeps 2

Children welcome

Babies welcome

The Experience

The Hovel is the local name for a cattle barn which this beautifully renovated, spacious and light-filled barn used to be. Find lovely fabrics and a comfortable bed to sink into, a deep roll top bath with organic cotton towels to wrap up in and a big well-kitted out kitchen with all the basics and room for four at the table.

Nick and Lydia leave out a generous welcome hamper with locally-brewed beer, eggs, bread and fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden when there’s a glut. Drink coffee in the morning sun on the patio or barbecue there in the evening – Falmer (one mile) has a good farm shop to stock up in.

Catch the bus or pedal to Lewes for lots of great pubs and restaurants hidden down small alleys and the castle to explore. Walk uphill from the farm to join the beautiful South Downs Way, stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne through rolling countryside. On rainy days you’ll find books, Netflix and board games to play by the cosy wood-burner.

We think you'll love

Heading into Lewes for good bakeries and independent shops
Stocking up from the farm shop and cooking in the big kitchen
Joining the South Downs Way

You should know

The garden is very new
You will hear some traffic noise from the A27 in the garden, and occasionally farm machinery and cows
There is a small campsite on the farm

Essentials

EV charger
Self check-in
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Oven
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Barbecue
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
Microwave oven
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Electricity included
Dishwasher
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Nightly price: from £120
Weekly price: from £840
Surcharges: Extra bed/sofabed available at no charge.

1 House for 2: From £1201 bed1 bedroom

Information

Booking information

Check in: 4pm
Check out: By 10am
Other details: Minimum stay: 3 nights. 7 nights in high season.
Closed: Never.
No smoking: Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Property: This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.
Owner has pets: Animals living on the property
Meals: Breakfast, £15 for two. Dinner, £25-30 for two.

Reviews

This place was about as far removed from a hovel as you could possibly find. We lacked for nothing and even the A27 (given that I am the lightest sleeper) did not marr our stay.

Louise, JERSEY Jan 2024

We have stayed at The Hovel twice now and on both occasions found it to be the most wonderful sanctuary. The whole place has been created to the highest possible standard and is a very generous space throughout … so nowhere feels cramped. On arrival, we were immediately struck by how clean everything was, with beautiful bedding and towels, and an amazing, generous welcome hamper with all kinds of local goodies. Staying at The Hovel was a total pleasure. Nothing is too much trouble for Nick and Lydia, the owners/hosts. A more beautiful place would be hard to find.

David, Henfield Jan 2023

What a fab place! We stayed for 4 nights and could not have been more comfortable, despite the winter weather. The decor is light and airy and the layout and furnishings convenient and well thought out - and it was great to have somewhere to plug in the electric car. Everything was very smoothly managed, and the welcome hamper was much appreciated. Already looking forward to our next visit!

Natasha, Paris Dec 2021

We have just had the most wonderful week in The Hovel. So beautifully designed, exceptional attention to detail, spotlessly clean and the most fabulously comfortable bed. Cannot recommend it enough.

Hester, Stamford Oct 2019

We had a wonderful stay at the hovel, it was so peaceful and the rooms were incredibly comfortable with everything we needed. The hamper full of local produce on arrival was a lovely touch, as was the art work by local artists. Everything was eco friendly and the organic cotton sheets were so lovely to sleep in! Thank you for a delightful getaway Nick and Lydia, we will definitely be back again soon to discover more of the south downs and beautiful Sussex countryside.

Rachel, Heathfield Aug 2019

Lydia and Nick have made a beautiful conversion out of the old ox barn on their working farm. Everything has been chosen with great care and attention to organic sources, it all looks incredibly comfortable and inviting. This would be the perfect place to stay, whether going to Glyndebourne, the football, Charleston, or hiking on the Downs. There might be an occasional moo from the farm's cow herd but inside the barn it is amazingly quiet.

Fiona, Sawday's inspector Aug 2019

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Location

The neighbourhood

You’ll find the barn set back from the road between Falmer and Lewes on a working farm surrounded by 1,200 acres of fields and trees. Falmer is a mile away for shops; head five minutes in the car to The Juggs in Kingston for good food and a big beer garden. Glyndebourne is a 20-minute drive (you may be able to get a hamper) and Brighton and the coast are six miles.

Local points of interest from Nick Taylor

The Hovel, the farm and its surroundings are a nature lovers paradise. With farmland birds, wild flowers (including the rare bee orchid), butterflies and chalk grassland, all for you to enjoy right on our door step.
With only a few minutes walk along the South Downs Way you can be immersed in beautiful countryside and enjoy panoramic views of the South Downs National Park. The high points of Ditchling Beacon and Devil’s Dyke are easily walkable with return by bus.
The lovely unique market town of Lewes, famous for its bonfire night celebrations, is just down the road. It's brimming with an array of quirky pubs, independent shops, and cobbled twittens.
The vibrant city of Brighton is a few miles away and is accessible by bus directly from the farm. Brighton has something for everyone; the beach with its piers, unique shopping in the North and South Laines and an abundance of amazing pubs and restaurants.
There are some charming country houses and gardens to visit locally; Monk's House (NT), Charleston, Sheffield Park and Garden (NT), Wakehurst (Kew), and Nymans (NT).
The iconic Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters Cliffs are a 30 minute drive away and are a must visit when in the area. There are lots of other beautiful beaches just a short drive away too.

Introducing

Nick Taylor

Nick and Lydia live close by with their three young children – Nick runs the farm with his father. Lydia is an illustrator and you’ll see her artistic flair in the interiors; they renovated the barn themselves and have put a lot of care into thinking of every detail.

The Hovel

Children welcome

Babies welcome

Your dates are available!

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Nick Taylor

The Hovel

Children welcome

Babies welcome

Check availability

Your dates are available!

How to book

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Nick Taylor

Taking you to The Hovel