Tack Barn

The Tack Barn is an environmentally-sound, self-catering bolthole for two that’s as firmly rooted in Sussex as the small woodland that surrounds it. It’s situated a few miles outside Lewes and the South Downs National Park, within easy reach of the villages and vineyards that you’ll want to visit while you’re here. Or perhaps you’ll be here for the opera at Glyndebourne, the art at Charleston Farmhouse or the literary history of Virginia Woolf’s former home. All are within 10 miles – but it’s not just what surrounds this spot that makes it 'Sussex central'. It’s what’s inside too. From the trug that’s left for you to collect garden veg to the mug you’ll drink your tea from, this place is as sustainably Sussex as self-catering can be.

The welcome pack sets that scene: owners Corina and Dominic put it together with eggs from their own chickens, produce from the garden and other local goodies. They’ll let you find it on your own and pop in to see you later. That way, you have the magic of arrival to yourselves as you make your way into your holiday home. It’s only once you step inside that you realise just how lovely the setting is. French doors from each room open to the trees and a pond. Corina helps make your stay run smoothly long before you arrive by providing a list of things to do and places to visit, giving you plenty of time to book a meal at The Ram in Firle or a tour of the Artelium Wine Estate.

Stays are a minimum of three nights, which gives you the chance to explore the area as well as time to appreciate what’s here. As the name suggests, the Tack Barn was once a place for horses, but aside from an exposed beam or two, there’s little to remind you of its former use. It’s a warm and comfortable place to stay that’s generously proportioned for a couple, perhaps with a baby too.

The main living space is open plan: kitchen, lounge and dining room combined, warmed by a log burner and opening onto a wrap-around deck with a covered dining area. The kitchenette, like the bathroom, is modern, and the decor (plain walls, thoughtful lighting and natural materials) is timeless but much of the furniture has history. It's a combination that works. The knives in the kitchen are sharp and the organic cotton sheets on the bed are fresh – just a couple of examples of the care that’s taken with guest experience, not to mention the Tack Barn’s outstanding eco credentials. The water is heated by solar energy, the drainage via a reed bed, and you can charge your electric car. The list goes on and on, so you can not only enjoy your holiday in Sussex but you can do so sustainably, too.