An award-winning foodie retreat that combines soothing West Sussex countryside views with baking masterclasses and tempting seasonal produce.
  • Sleeps: 2
  • Bedroom: 1
  • Bathroom: 1 per unit
  • Minimum stay: 2 nights

The proud winner of the Sussex Eating Experience of the Year 2018, your stay at The Artisan Bakehouse is set to be as delicious as it will be beautiful.

The Sussex Food & Drink Awards judges described the foodie experience here as “truly unique, exciting and immersive” – and you’ll also be completely surrounded by magical, unspoilt countryside that’s nestled on the edge of the South Downs National Park.

(Seriously… could holiday life get any better than this?)

Rest your weary heads in The Bakers Hut, a luxurious, hand-crafted oak shepherd’s hut for two. You’ll be blissfully secluded between whispering pine and oak trees, amongst five acres of magnificent, wildlife-steeped gardens and woodland.

Stocked with plenty of fluffy towels, crisp linen, and luxury toiletries inside, outside awaits an enchanting private garden space with a barbecue, firepit, and plenty of fresh produce from the surrounding gardens… simply help yourselves to fresh herbs, fruit, vegetables, and eggs from the friendly resident chickens. Oh, and there’s even an outdoor pool to enjoy in the summer months.

Meanwhile, the wood-burner and flatscreen TV will help keep you warm and entertained on cooler evenings, and the dreamy kingsize bed will help you drift off into a sound, gentle night’s sleep… though if you’re in need of more relaxation, there’s a visiting therapist on hand, ready with a selection of soothing treatments.

If you’re with a slightly larger group, there are also two beautifully furnished cottages to choose from, The Brewhouse and The Milkhouse, which can be booked together if needed. Each cottage sleeps 2-4 guests, and are located in the site’s historic, picture-perfect 16th century farmhouse.

Keep reading

At a glance

 
  • An award-winning foodie retreat in rural West Sussex (25 minutes from Brighton), combining luxury accommodation with artisan baking workshops and fine local produce.
  • Stay in The Bakers Hut, a luxurious hand-crafted oak shepherd’s hut for two, or in one of two beautiful cottages in a 16th century farmhouse. Each cottage sleeps 2-4 guests, and can be booked together if required.
  • All accommodation is self-contained, and children are welcome (regrettably, pets are not permitted.) Stays in The Bakers Hut include a welcome breakfast basket.
  • Learn how to bake bread in the Artisan Bakehouse itself, complete with wood-fired oven. Workshops include traditional bread baking, Mediterranean bread, sourdough, gluten-free bread, pastries, and chocolate making.
  • The fully licensed Bakehouse is open on a seasonal pop-up basis throughout the year, serving homemade lunches, afternoon teas, and fine Sussex produce.
  • Help yourselves to herbs, fruit, vegetables and eggs from the gardens, splash around in the outdoor pool during summer, and if you’re in need of more relaxation, a visiting therapist can be booked to provide a range of soothing treatments.

Features

  • Family Friendly
  • Large Groups
  • Swimming Pools

Facilities

The Bakers Hut (2 guests): 2-seater sofa, wood-burner, flatscreen Smart TV, Wi-Fi.  Bespoke handmade kitchen area with fridge/freezer, oven/microwave and hob, kettle and toaster, welcome breakfast basket with bread, fruit, jam, juice, tea and coffee.  Kingsize bed with linen and throws, en-suite shower room with WC, heated towel rail, towels and toiletries.  Outside: private furnished garden area with barbecue and firepit.

There are also two self-contained cottages, The Brewhouse (4 guests) and The Milkhouse (2-4 guests).

On site: Bakehouse for workshops and seasonal lunches/afternoon teas, herb/vegetable garden, outdoor swimming pool (seasonal use), fresh eggs from resident hens.

Local Activities

Walking, cycling, South Downs National Park, market towns, historic sites, wildlife watching, country houses and gardens, kayaking, horse riding, coastal towns, city life.

Accommodation Options

Bakers Hut

Brewhouse Cottage

Milkhouse Cottage

More information

Awake in your shepherd’s hut to a gorgeous breakfast hamper of hand-baked bread, jam, cookies, and local juice, fruit, tea and coffee… a perfect introduction to the foodie delights that lie ahead!

The owners are completely passionate about real bread, and you’ll discover why when you attend one of their Artisan Breadmaking workshops, which are held in the Bakehouse itself. Complete with a traditional wood burning oven, you’ll soon be hooked on making your own gorgeous-smelling, fresh-baked bread.

(If bread isn’t quite your thing, there are plenty of other tempting workshops to choose from, including pastries, seasonal baking, and chocolate-making.)

The fully licensed Bakehouse is also open for lunches and afternoon teas (on a seasonal basis), so if you’d rather indulge than create, no problem! Here, you can tuck into an array of fresh bread, cakes and scones, along with delicious cheeses, meats, ciders, craft beers and wines, from some of Sussex’s finest producers.

There’s a lot to see and do in the surrounding area, from stunning country walks, to the scenic, windswept South Coast beaches, which are a mere ten-minute drive away… if you drive for a few minutes more, you can reach the vibrant city of Brighton.

Though we’re of the opinion that if you’re going to be surrounded by such amazing scenery, cosy comfort, and delicious produce, why go anywhere at all?

Things to note

Check in from 4pm – 9pm, check out by 10am. There is a 2-night minimum stay in The Bakers Hut, and a minimum 3-night weekend or 4-night mid-week stay in the cottages.

Current Offers

10% off bread making workshops & Pop up Café menu to residents

Where you'll be staying

Ashurst, West Sussex

What the guests of The Artisan Bakehouse say

“Oh my goodness what an incredible couple of days spent in the Bakers Hut for our minimoon. The Artisan Bakehouse is a very special place for a relaxing getaway. Les and Louise are truly lovely people who go above and beyond to make you feel welcomed and looked after. We are going back next march to have our belated wedding reception and can’t wait. Highly highly recommended….amazing place.”

“We had such a lovely, relaxing stay in the Bakers Hut. Louise and Les made us feel so welcome and at home providing delicious home made bread each day, homemade jam, fresh eggs and cookies. We just chilled, swam in the heated pool, sat outside with the fire pit burning, went foraging for blackberries, damsons and apples which we stewed and had with ice cream bought from local village Steyning. For a city couple this was all such a treat, fresh air and local produce. The shepherd’s hut is very well appointed and comfortable. We didn’t want to leave and will definitely will be back sometime.”

“This was our second summer holiday at the Artisan Bakehouse and we are so glad we returned as we had another wonderful week there. The warm pool, cosy cottages and the friendly hospitality of Louise and Les drew us back. Such a beautiful setting and so close to lots of attractions and the South Downs. Our children love having the freedom to play in the gardens and were treated to chicken egg collecting (delicious eggs!). We have really fallen for the local landscape and the welcoming towns and villages.”

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