My Haven at The Studio: a writer's retreat at The Grain Store Lewes
My Haven at The Studio
As I looked out of the airplane window at the end of my transatlantic flight from California, I was looking forward to my own landing at The Studio at The Grain Store; a magical spot on The South Downs Way, just outside the historical town of Lewes in East Sussex. On this occasion, I was also landing into the unknown circumstances of Covid-19 that we are all facing, and heading to The Studio to quarantine before spending Christmas with my Mother who is 81.
As I reflect on my time in this restorative place, I could not have chosen a more perfect spot to isolate and work on my writing project.
Tucked away down a country lane off the Brighton Road, on swinging open the large wooden gates of The Grain Store, I was met by an uninterrupted view of open, rolling hills, and pristine farmland. The backdrop to the magnificent and simple structure that is The Grain Store.
There was something about the feeling of the place that went back through its history; a functional, farm building that had once held in its keeping, the fresh grain harvested from the surrounding land. This building had weathered the wildness and winds of the South Downs and kept its contents dry, safe and secure. I wonder if it could have imagined what it would become; a haven, now holding its guests with the same unwavering care, within the same walls, in stunningly designed, simple, functional, luxury.
The landscape view did not subside on entering The Studio, as the windows of this immaculate conversation stretch from floor to ceiling, opening out onto its own private garden at the foot of the South Downs. 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.
My day started with a coffee made in the state-of-the-art espresso machine, steaming my milk with the sun rising, through the mist and over the Downs. The kitchen is divine and amply supplied and with such beautiful detail. The china and hand-crafted ceramics, the soft linen pastel colored tea towels, the sturdy and durable pots and pans, and the attention to bio-dynamic products, composting and recycling, made me feel part of the whole.
For the first time in my life, I did not experience jet lag! The gallery bedroom above the lounge was like a nest, with the original barn window looking out over the tree tops and the old railway bridge as I lay in the opulently comfortable bed and watched the birds. In the rare times I woke in the night, I revelled in the crispness of the organic cotton sheets and linens, the soft pillows with their Indian Cotton covers, and the organic Scottish wool, allergy free duvet that kept me completely warm and snuggled. It was perfect to look up through the large skylight windows at the night stars and scudding clouds and listen to the soft call of the owls and the occasional distant and comforting rumble of a passing train. I was in pure heaven.
Though in isolation, I felt such a part of nature there, as I watched the bee-keeper tend to The Grain Store bees through the kitchen window. The walks out of The Studio door and through the orchard, lead out onto the South Downs Way, where I walked every day in all weathers. Heading up to the Newmarket Plantation at the brow of the hill, I stopped to talk with the baby cows, living a free life on the lush grass with their mothers and fathers, the great bulls, belonging to a small local farm. I watched the hang-gliders launch themselves off the horizon, sailing gracefully by, and on the way home, as the sun set, looking forward to the warmth and comfort of The Studio haven, and a cup of tea watching the colors of the sky and on the hills change from reds to pinks and mauves as night fell.
My favorite luxury at The Studio was my nightly candle-lit bath, in the large and sumptuous white bathtub. The high ceilings of the bathroom and the black tiled open shower, are the height of rural luxury. Warmth radiating decadence, like basking in the spaciousness and neutrality of a barn, with the comfort of form and function. An architectural dream. To add to the deliciousness, were the local hand crafted apothecary products, generously placed around The Studio from A.S Apothecary. The Sussex Rose Hand Wash and the Rejuvenating Ultimate Body Lotion my particular favorites.
I had watched from California, through Instagram, the vision of The Grain Store that my friend Anni Townend dreamt, coming to fruition over the last years. It was such a gift to experience first hand what The Grain Store has become, and my particular love of the little haven that is The Studio at The Grain Store.
Cassandra Ogier,
Fan of The Grain Store, and Founder and Director of The Reflective Horse
Booking The Studio at The Grain Store Lewes
Set in the heart of the South Downs National Park, The Studio is the perfect space for an individual getaway to relax and revive.
Ideal for exploring nature, taking time for revitalisation, and enjoying the peace of our rural setting.
The Studio is available on request, please contact us for more information about availability.