The top line: A hotel and restaurant set within a former gunpowder factory near the East Sussex town of Battle. Crafted at Powdermills is seeking to ‘reimagine traditional hospitality’ by blending co-working, nature and wellness. Surrounded by ancient woodland and wildflower pastures, the handsome 55-bedroom property features a pub, a produce-led restaurant and a lakeside sauna that looks out across a seven-acre private lake. The project is the creation of Chris King, well known in the industry as co-founder of the original Birch hotel in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. King left the business in 2022, around a year before a second Birch hotel opened in Selsdon, near Croydon. Both businesses closed in 2023 after running into financial difficulties. The senior team comprises managing director Joel Williams, executive chef Neil Armstrong and head of F&B Conor Sheehan. Further expansion is planned for the Crafted brand, with King understood to be scouting sites within striking distance of both Brighton and Bristol.
On the menu: The main restaurant at Crafted at Powdermills offers a modern British menu championing produce grown on site alongside ingredients from local suppliers. Positioned somewhere between casual and fine dining, Armstrong’s menu includes raw beef with dripping-fried potato cake; wood pigeon with pickled cherries and walnuts; monkfish with curried mussels and braised celery; and blackberry clafoutis. The pub, meanwhile, follows the same sourcing ethos but with a more crowd-pleasing approach, serving dishes such as courgette fries with kimchi aioli; lion’s mane schnitzel with green sauce, fried egg and chips; and shepherd’s pie with mustard greens and red wine sauce.
The vibe: Crafted at Powdermills has a high-end finish throughout but takes an eclectic, modern folk approach to design that champions making and creativity. Designer House of Dré worked closely with a range of UK makers to create interiors that feel closely connected to place and people. Inspired by an orangery, the main dining room features a central skylight and a soft palette of whites and greens, paired with mid-century bentwood chairs and marble-topped tables.
And another thing: As well as overseeing the kitchen, executive chef Neil Armstrong is also a beekeeper in training caring for Crafted at Powdermills on-site colony. When dressed in full beekeeping gear - domed helmet included - he apparently bears more than a passing resemblance to his more famous astronaut namesake.
Powdermill Lane, Battle East Sussex TN33 0SP