Starcroft Farm Cabins are set on a family-run farm that once formed part of the ancient Battle Abbey Estate. Each timber-crafted cabin is named and styled in honour of an extraordinary woman connected to Battle Abbey during three notable eras.
The cabins’ co-creator, Hannah, has a passion for “words and flowers”. She is currently writing a book about Lucy Webster, who was Battle Abbey’s last heiress, and the inspiration for Starcroft’s 1920’s-themed Lucy cabin.
I mention all this because it sets a soothing and beautiful scene from the start. Hannah has thought of everything a writer could possibly want from a retreat, presenting it in a way that immediately draws you in. I felt inspired and uplifted just reading about it: soul-stirring views, books and curios, fresh flowers, woodland walks… even a mid-week chair massage!
In reality, these descriptions – even the photos – don’t do enough justice to the thoughtful detail and perfect scheduling that await visitors here. I stayed in the Victorian-themed Catherine cabin, which is dedicated to the adventurous local women travellers and botanists of the time. Particular delights included a custom stained-glass window in the bathroom, books themed around gardens and growing, and a striking, themed mural on the bedroom wall… with a stargazing window right above my bed.
The deck, meanwhile, showcased a timeless rural landscape of misty green meadow and whispering trees; ideal for morning yoga (a mat was provided for this very purpose!) or simply taking a little time out over coffee and birdsong.
Oh, and the retreat’s ‘perfect scheduling’ refers to the fact that each of the four days came with a little treat to keep words flowing. Day One was a goal-setting session with writing coach Joanna Norland, Day Two a welcome cake break with the other retreat-ees, Day Three the aforementioned chair massage, and Day Four an evening around the bonfire all together, accompanied by steaming mugs of hot chocolate and a sky sprinkled with stars.
As if all that wasn’t quite enough, there was a ready supply of tea, coffee, and biscuits, with breakfast pastries provided for our first morning (there’s an option to pre-order luxury breakfast hampers and evening meals from the local farm shop, too). Added gifts included a book chosen especially for me from Battle’s Rother Books, which was beautifully wrapped and waiting for me in my cabin.
While I often give in to distraction and procrastination at home, here I felt magically compelled to do nothing but write, read, and take energising walks through the ancient Powdermill Wood, which lies just a few minutes away from the cabins (some of the timber used in the cabins’ construction is from this very wood). On Day One, Hannah showed us a selection of ridiculously simple routes: a quick ‘loop’ for creative breaks, to the farm shop for coffee and cake, and a slightly longer 40-minute stroll to the bustling town of Battle.
The four days I spent in the Catherine cabin felt less like a writing retreat – though I easily achieved the word goal I’d set for myself at the start – and more like a life-reset. As I travelled home on the Friday morning, there was an inner sense of lightness and calm that I haven’t felt in a long time. A stay at Starcroft Farm Cabins is balm for the soul, whether you’re a writer or not.
Find out more about Starcroft Farm Cabins via their listing below!
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
