Our Story
'Look at the stars! Look, look up at the skies! O look at all the fire-folk sitting in the air! The bright boroughs, the circle-citadels there! Down in dim woods the diamond delves!’
— Starlight Night by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Starcroft Farm
No one seems to know how the farm got its name, but it must have something to do with the dazzling dark skies in this corner of the High Weald AONB. It’s the reason the cabins have stargazing windows above the beds.
Until the 1920s, the land was part of the Battle Abbey Estate. Going back beyond that, through old records and tithe maps, it’s more or less always been used for what it is now: mixed grazing, producing food and fuel and generally making a living. The fields’ bare bones have changed very little, and there is a timeless quality here that we feel most strongly early in the morning as the mist rises.
Hannah’s dad and his brothers grew up on the farm in the 60s and 70s, with their parents running it as a market garden and small cattle farm. They grew vines for Sussex wines, chrysanthemums for cut flowers and sold strawberries and runner beans to passing drivers. Later on, Hannah’s aunt and uncle grew Christmas trees here - some of which still line the ridge of the largest field, and look so festive in the snow.
Since moving in in 2018, and having our own two boys, we’ve been slowly recreating our version of a smallholding, keeping chickens and growing no dig, chemical-free fruit, veg and cut flowers. Looking after the earth and eating locally and in season whenever possible is key to our ethos.
The Cabin Dream
Hannah has long dreamed of creating a soulful, one-off place for people to stay. Somewhere light on the landscape but with a strong sense of place; somewhere peaceful but inspiring. Having worked in the travel industry for more than a decade, she knew the places she loved visiting most always had owners who really cared - evident in the attention to detail - and made space for special experiences.
An Eco Build
It was a chance meeting in a nearby bluebell woods, whilst Hannah was heavily pregnant, that we found the perfect builder for the project via his wife Cara, a local artist. John understood our desire to be as environmentally conscious as possible, as well as the responsibilities that come with building in a protected landscape.
His unique insight and perseverance through all weathers has been invaluable, as has his dedication to sourcing innovative, sustainable and local materials. And when we say local, we mean a matter of feet away in some cases - much of the wood, including the cladding, deck handrails and window sills, came from Powdermill Wood, just a two minute walk away.
Locally Crafted
From our first rough sketches, inspired by the landscape of 1066 country and proximity to Battle Abbey, the cabins have become a collaborative effort that’s evolved with each person involved. A whole cast of local craftspeople, tradespeople, artists and artisans have left their stamp on it.
From Tom the joiner who painstakingly created the arched doors and circular windows as a nod to the Abbey to Clair who has beautifully told the story of each cabin in stained glass.
The result of all this collaboration is a cabin retreat that feels rooted in this particular patch of East Sussex and infused with the skills, wisdom and creativity of the people who live here.
Things we love
We’ll soon be offering a programme of events, walks and workshops, inspired by the things we love ourselves.
Tom has been a field archer since childhood; a former national champion no less. When he’s not embracing his Robin Hood side, he loves exploring Sussex on foot and capturing its natural wonders on camera. He’ll be running roving archery sessions and photography walks celebrating the beauty of our surroundings.
Hannah’s passions are words and flowers. She longs to finish her first book - hence the writing retreats for mums. But in the meantime, growing food and flowers brings her enormous peace and joy and she looks forward to sharing that with guests through her homegrown posies and produce. Having studied history she’s also an unashamed history geek, and is very excited about welcoming some amazing historians and writers, especially to illuminate the lost voices of women in the 1066 story.
