The Grain Store Lewes is a unique eco conversion in East Sussex, nestled in the heart of The South Downs National park, not far from Lewes.

Here, we take a look at how and why we transformed a redundant farm building into a simple, beautiful and functional space. We reveal why an eco-conscious approach to building and design has shaped The Grain Store Lewes from the outside in and inside out.

Right from the beginning, The Grain Store was created with an eco-ethos at its core. Situated on the South Downs Way between Lewes and Falmer this south-facing building is nestled in farm and downland.

Owner and creator, Anni Townend acquired the grain store some 25 years ago when it became a redundant farm building, due to the size of modern farming machinery and new methods of drying the grain.

Early ideas and planning

In 2010 Anni and her partner began to think about the possibility of converting the grain store into accommodation for people walking, cycling, or riding the South Downs Way. They imagined that people would stay for one night and then rested and restored carry on their way. Plans were drawn up for a dual-purpose function, providing accommodation and also a meeting place for local people. These plans however remained dormant for some years whilst the idea grew into the grain store being more of a place for people to stay, to venture out from and to return to at the end of the day.

In 2017 plans were resubmitted and planning permission was granted for self-catering accommodation and in addition as a meeting space for teams and groups. The plans also included a studio where Anni would be able to meet clients for one-to-one executive coaching work and from where she could offer her now well renowned walk and talks.

“This beautifully converted building is light and airy throughout which accentuates the original architectural features and high ceiling. The space - a superb 145 square metres - boasts all the modern luxuries and attention to detail you’d expect in a high-quality conversion.”

— Katherine

The conversion: recycling, repurposing and reimagining

A key requirement and specification of obtaining planning permission for a conversion (from something, into something else), is retaining but making better the original building. This constraint was a wonderful creative opportunity to work with and respond to. Creating something that would look like the original building but be a vast improvement on it.

The first step in the conversion was taking off the asbestos roof by specialist contractors followed by the removal of the reinforced concrete block walls. This happened in the Spring of 2017 amidst snow flurries and frosts, revealing the wonderful concrete ribs of the original building which can be seen throughout the building today. This decision to leave the concrete exposed was easy given the natural beauty of the shapes and angles of the concrete and the big bolts holding the structure together.

We also knew that concrete should feature heavily in the flooring and that the original concrete floor would lend itself to being replaced by a new concrete floor. Again retaining some of the original feel of the building, whilst improving it not only in looks but also in feel – with underfloor heating.

With the eco-ethos always in mind, lots of the building materials were repurposed. The waste concrete material from the original floor was placed in gabion cages to form a retaining wall, and some additional waste material was used to backfill the car park area. The new retaining wall behind The Grain Store is made from repurposed railway sleepers, which give it a truly unique look.

To complement the concrete and to soften the feel of the building from the outside in we built a timber frame, cladding the exterior walls with cedar and used two different types of wood fibre for insulation. The cedar was grown in Hampshire and locally milled in East Sussex. The choice of cedar was made not only with local in mind, but also that in time the cedar weathers from a golden colour to a warm grey colour, thus reflecting but improving upon the original grey reinforced concrete bricks.

Powered by green energy

Anni lives by her sustainability ethos, which is why she wanted to make sure sustainability was at the forefront of the new design. The two main green sources of energy are an air source heat pump and solar thermal heating.

Solar thermal heating is four times as powerful as solar panels, and not only heats the water but also the underfloor heating and towel rails. It works by a drain back system (meaning it is not pressurised), with copper piping under the roof tiles. The copper piping is selectively coated which means that it efficiently heats up without any energy escaping.

The air source heat pump is a backup source when there is not enough heat from solar. This works by extracting heat from the air and feeds it back into the system.

The Grain Store is able to run almost entirely from these sources of power and is incredibly well insulated with triple glazing throughout, meaning it costs about one quarter of a normal household energy bill.

The eco-ethos is reflected in everything at The Grain Store, for example, no single-use plastic and the use of all eco-cleaning products. Our aim is to reduce the environmental impact of the business, without compromising on the guest experience.

“I would like to pass a personal note to Anni, to thank her for creating such a wonderful place & space – beautifully designed, crafted & equipped with quality products making the whole experience really feel like home from home; this is not a hotel, it is not a rental cottage – it is a home!

Soon after we had arrived we started to feel like we have come to our ‘country home’ – surrounded by spectacular countryside & views, with access to all the bits & pieces we would ever need & wish for & having easy access to all the comforts of our own homes! ”

— Anna

Inside design: inspired by nature

The Grain Store is designed to be simple, beautiful and functional – and local where possible.

Working with these design principles, the choices of materials and furnishings right down to the finest detail are in harmony with the environment outside – the rolling Downs and farmland all around. A key aspect of The Grain Store is that it is light filled, airy and wonderfully comfortable. The concrete structure and floor downstairs are complemented by soft furnishings and colours and a wood floor on the mezzanine.

Step inside: A guided tour of The Grain Store Lewes

Through the front door

Arriving at The Grain Store through the large wooden gates you step into a wide open space of Downland. If you have travelled by car there is ample parking and two electric car charge points. Take a deep breath of Downland air and follow the sign to The Grain Store, past The Studio and to the front door of The Grain Store.

You’ll immediately step inside the Boot Room. This room was actually a last-minute addition but has become essential for our guests. With a tiled floor and its own sink, the Boot Room is ideal for adventurers on the South Downs when it gets a bit muddy.

Open-plan living, cooking and dining

Step through the door into the open space of the living, dining and kitchen area where you will be met by the gorgeous Maker & Son sofas complemented by Molly Mahon patterned cushions, the fabulous Outerspace Living oak dining table and the fully equipped kitchen with the beautiful Everhot stove – offering eco-cooking. Open the cupboards and you will find high quality utensils and crockery locally sourced from Lewes shops including Freight, The Laurels, Closet & Botts, and Flint. In addition, there is some locally made crockery from Windmill Pottery.

Sleeping and relaxing

Walking through from the living area into the two downstairs bedrooms, you will be greeted with magnificent bedframes from Indigo. These plank-framed beds are made in the North of England and work brilliantly with the concrete frame and floor.

The soft linen and cotton bedding are all sourced from fair-trade and organic; the pastel colours of the bedding are complemented by the throws from The Laurels and Flint. One of these two downstairs bedrooms is en-suite and is suitable for wheelchair users. The other bedroom enjoys the use of a separate bathroom complete with a walk-in shower and a luxurious bath.

From the living area, you can also access the mezzanine and the third bedroom: a twin-bedded room unlike the bedrooms downstairs. Adjacent to this bedroom is a small shower room. The mezzanine living area was originally conceived of as a TV snug area. However, in time, and in response to guest feedback, we relocated the TV downstairs and have made this wonderful space into a quiet, space complete with a desk and two Fisk Life armchairs to curl up in. the mezzanine also boasts a comfortable sofa to relax and read on.

This area opens out onto a balcony, offering an incredible view of the rolling Downs, and a lovely space to sit and relax.

A proud display of local artwork

Anni is committed to supporting the local community and chose a number of artworks including commissioning a map of The Grain Store by local artist Malcolm Trollope-Davis, creator of The Lewes Map and The Brighton Map.

There are two beautiful paintings by local artist Nick Bodimeade; a painting by Bryony Bodimeade; an original concept painting of The Grain Store by Liam Wales; and a stunning photograph of the Downs with The Grain Store nestled in the hollow by local photographer Sarah Weal. In addition, there is an unsigned wonderful painting of the South Downs Way chalk path purchased from Kings Framers, Lewes, and a lovely drawing by one of our first young guests Maia Pocock.

The Grain Store Studio

The Grain Store Studio is adjacent to, while separate from, The Grain Store and can be occasionally booked for those wishing to accommodate eight people. The Studio reflects The Grain Store in every detail and includes a beautiful rug designed by Claire Gaudion the colours of which are picked up in the cushions on the lovely chairs sourced at No.1, Lewes, and a beautiful painting by local artist Marco Crivello.

Garden and outside spaces

Step outside through the large metal framed doors of either the living, dining area or the south-facing bedroom into the garden. The landscape opens out from the grassed area and the planted beds, designed and planted by local Marchants Hardy Plants and maintained by Sam and Coco of Porter Hardy.

Just as the outside is reflected on the inside, and vice versa, the garden reflects the rolling Downs. Equipped with a large table and benches, there is BBQ outside of the Boot Room enjoying wonderful views of the farmland and South Downs Way.

“The sweet and comfortable lounge chairs looking out at this view became the base for my writing - the beginnings of a book on my life and work. My heart took a sigh in this light-filled place and I knew that inspiration would flow, with no distractions in this clear, simple, quiet and uncluttered space, both inside and out.”

— Cassandra