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Graywood Canvas Cottages

South East England East Sussex Uckfield

From £92 a night
3 Double-Decker Yurts
Yurts

Luxury yurt holidays on a small Sussex family farm

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Inspired by a spot of impromptu glamping in California, Stephanie Wakeham-Dawson and her husband returned to their family farm determined to bring the Californian dream to the south of England. And here it is – three luxury double-decker yurts open for business on their small arable estate in deepest Sussex.

This is no ordinary glamping experience. The Wakeham-Dawsons claim their yurts – designed and created in Seattle in the shadow of Mount Rainier – are often used as full-time residences back in the US, and we can believe it. They have a tall design and full-size French doors so you don't need to stoop, huge picture windows that give great views and lots of natural light, and a lattice, rafters and even a staircase made of Douglas Fir, leading to a clear dome to the sky – perfect for viewing the stars at night. Their unique construction ensures that you are cool during the summer but always warm at night, whatever the time of year.

The yurts can comfortably sleep four adults or a family of five , in a ground-floor bedroom with superking Hypnos bed and a galleried first-floor bedroom with three single Hypnos mattresses (or a double and a single); and they will add a travel cot and highchair for £10. They also provide towels, duvets and all bed linens, and dishes, cutlery and crockery. There is a proper bathroom with flushing toilet, shower, plenty of hot water and complementary toiletries, an integrated kitchen with washer/drier, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, oven and hob with extractor, toaster and kettle. Plus, a separate sitting room with custom-made sofas, a dining table and chairs for six, and everything else you could possible need to make you feel right at home – electric heaters and a flame-effect fire, a Freeview TV and DVD player, a CD player and a selection of DVDs, books and board games for rainy days. There's also outside furniture, a fire pit and barbecue – while each yurt has its own hot tub!

The farm itself enjoys a great location in the heart of East Sussex, with plenty of birds and wildlife around (try and spot an owl or buzzard); it’s a lovely spot simply to relax. But if you want to get out and about, there are a host of places to visit within 20 minutes’ drive: Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum, Blackberry Farm Park, Knockhatch Adventure Park and the traditional market town of Lewes to name just a few. And there are plenty of good walks into the surrounding countryside using local pubs as targets – for example to East Hoathly village two miles away, or, in the other direction, to Waldron village with its church, pub and village store. There's also a park with a children's playground and the village cricket team venture out on Sundays – in short, all the making of a rural idyll in the heart of this beautiful part of Sussex.

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Details

Facilities

These luxury unique double decker yurts provide a comfortable first class glamping experience with integral kitchen and bathrooms.

The yurts have a ground floor bedroom with a high quality Hypnos super-king-sized bed with Egyptian Cotton professionally freshly laundered linens fand a window which can be fully opened to appreciate the countryside just outside. There is a mezzanine bedroom upstairs accommodating either 2 adults or 3 children or 1 adult and 2 children. Here again are deep Hypnos mattresses under the rafters of the yurt where you can lie back and view the starts through the clear dome (there is a blackout blind for bright mornings too!).

Travel cots and high chairs available on request at a small charge. Egyptian Cotton bedlinen is provided along with fluffy white bathroom towels and towels for using the hot tub.

Each yurt kitchen is fully equipped including toaster, kettle, oven, hob, microwave, washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, plus all pots, crockery and cutlery.

There is plenty of living space include a dining table seating up to 6 and super comfortable Sofa Workshop sofas to curl up on and watch a DVD or freeview on the television or maybe play a board game (provided). There is a fitted carpet and a flame effect electric fire to keep you cozy.

The bathroom is within the yurt and has a shower, flushing toilet, basin and mirror with shaving point. It has underfloor heating too for those cooler mornings and a fully opening window to let in the birdsong on those beautiful summer days.

As if this was not enough you also have your very own hot tub! On the decking of the yurt there is a bubbling hot tub - you are surrounded by mature hedging in your own private garden ensuring privacy.

There is also a Jamie Oliver outdoor table and chairs which has a bucket which fits into the centre of the table to use as a BBQ, firepit or icebucket. You just need to provide the charcoal/lighters and the food!

Please note there is no WiFi and depending on your mobile provider you may find you need to walk up the driveway to find a clear signal.

Suitable For

This is a quiet site for couples and families. No big groups, hen/stag parties. No outside music and no use of hot tub after 10pm. No dogs or pets.

Nearby

East Hoathly village is 3km away and has a shop and post office, a hairdressers, a café and a pub, which also does takeaway.

There is a park with a children's playground and the village cricket team can be found playing there on a Sunday afternoon. Slightly further afield, Blackberry Farm offers animals and play experiences, Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum (01825 840573) is a multi-faceted family attraction, just 10 minutes away by car. Michelham Priory - an Augustine Priory, said to be one of the most haunted places in Sussex is also about 15 minutes away. Sheffield Park, north of Uckfield, is a magnificent National Trust garden, from where steam trains run to East Grinstead on the Bluebell Railway (01825 720800). If it's raining, you might consider a trip to the Jacobean mansion of Rudyard Kipling, Bateman's, in nearby Burwash. If you would like to venture a little further Brighton is just under 45 minutes away although you may wish to catch the train from nearby Polegate or Lewes as parking is expensive! It does give you an opportunity to go over the viaduct too. Lewes is the county town on a river just 20 minutes away where there is a castle, Anne of Cleaves house, Harvey's brewery and many antique shops and eateries.

Food & Drink

The local pub is The KIng's Head (01825 840238) in East Hoathly. This historic CAMRA-approved watering hole (dating back to 1648) boasts a fine selection of ales (courtesy of the brewery next door) and a decent menu of pub grub favourites which can also be collected as a takeaway. The Star Inn at Waldron (01435 812495) is another antiquated gem of a pub with a beautiful beer garden to boot. Not to be confused, The Star Inn (01435 863570) in Old Heathfield is well worth a visit too, as is The Black Duck (01435 830636) in Warbelton. The Offham Farm Shop (01273 478265) does great meat for BBQs.

Open

Open from March until the end of October.

Pricing

Each yurt costs £650–£1200 a week; weekends or 4-day midweek breaks £525–£745

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The Owner Says

Graywood Farm is a small, family run, working farm. Over the last decade we have farmed Charolais cattle and Southdown sheep. Currently we have sheep grazing across the land. As with many farms now, we also have diversified with several small businesses being based onsite.

It is highly likely that there will be sheep in field a short way from the yurts and you may be able to see them from your window.

Location

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Getting There

Graywood Farm is just off the A22 between Uckfield and Eastbourne. Take the turning to East Hoathly from the roundabout, and in the village turn left onto Hollow Lane, shortly after taking a right fork onto Graywood Rd; follow this for a while until you reach a T juncction onto Graywood Lane; turn left and you soon come to the farm on the right hand side as you come down the hill. By train, Uckfield, about five miles away, has a train station which has a regular service to London Bridge in just over an hour. There are regular bus services from Uckfield, and from Brighton and Eastbourne, that run past the site. There is also a good taxi service.

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