Bedroom details
6 Bedrooms (Sleeps 12 + cot)
Bedroom 4
1 x zip and link
Bedroom 5
1 x zip and link
Seek a taste of Sussex splendour at our spellbinding Grade II listed retreat near Rye. Just a whisper from the East Sussex coast and surrounded by picturesque countryside, Demeter sets a heavenly scene for fairytale escapes with family and friends. Whisk away and embrace the romance of adventures unwritten, ready to uncover the exquisitely curated interiors and outdoor spaces of our rural homestay. Inside, a collection of welcoming living and dining spaces offer moments of tranquillity and togetherness, complemented by six ensuite bedrooms for utmost comfort.
Outside, the manicured gardens are home to a tapestry of green spaces and tempting treasures, such as a seasonal swimming pool, hot tub, pool house, courtyard barn, treehouse, and sheltered loggia. Settle into dreamy morning rituals with aromatic blends and vinyasa flows overlooking the lake, before slipping away to explore Sussex's adored landmarks and hidden gems, from the Medieval streets and harbour of Rye to the flowers and vines of Great Dixter and Tillingham. Upon your return, savour flavour-filled feasts, games room enchantment, and fireside reveries as the sun sinks over the gold-brushed countryside around.
Living
Blending heritage features and contemporary luxuries, Demeter beckons for the most unforgettable sojourns. Amongst its collection of lovingly converted barns and inviting living spaces, a plethora of rooms and quiet corners offer comfort and calm throughout the day. Especially enchanting, the main living area entwines quintessential English charm with French farmhouse living, promising flagstone floors, timbered ceilings, and a large inglenook fireplace with a wood burning stove. Offering sumptuous space to recline are three sofas and striped occasional chairs, while a full-size snooker table promises hours of spirited play. Antique Jacobean oak furniture adorns the room and a selection of traditional boardgames and a Smart TV provide hours of entertainment.
Eating and dining
Embrace epicurean delights in the kitchen of Demeter. Exuding winsome appeal, characterful ceilings and original beams crown a welcoming space in shades of green and white. Handcrafted cabinetry elegantly integrates into each space, complemented by an array of Neff and Bosch appliances, a Quooker tap, Nespresso coffee machine, and five-oven Aga. A mirrored splashback reflects the space and garden vistas, while an additional fridge-freezer awaits in the entrance hall for the freshest Sussex produce. Relax into a creative rhythm as you prepare flavoursome feasts, ready to dress the dining room's bespoke oak table with coupes and canapés. Next door to the kitchen, the dining room lends the perfect sense of occasion for delectable repasts, complete with antique wheelback dining chairs for twelve, two armchairs, and a warming wood burning stove set in another of the three inglenook fireplaces.
Sleeping and bathing
Demeter is home to six beautiful ensuite bedrooms.
The first bedroom, the inviting master suite, is home to a super king brass bed enswathed in the finest White Company Savoy linens. Shades of ochre adorn one wall, while stunning views over the gardens, lake, and Sussex countryside offer a beautiful backdrop for lingering lie-ins. A large antique chest of drawers, cupboard, and wardrobe provide space to stow treasures, while a seating area with Andrew Martin armchairs proposes moments of gentle quietude. Adjoining this bedroom is an ensuite bathroom, complete with a bath, shower, dual sinks, and two heated towel rails.
The second bedroom features a super king bed, along with two antique armchairs for relaxed contemplation. Gentle greens decorate the walls, while a double aspect window overlooks the lake and rose garden.
Meanwhile, a third bedroom has a king size bed and resides in one of the oldest parts of the house. Exuding character, it features characterfully sloping ceilings and views across the courtyard garden. Both of these bedrooms feature ensuite bathrooms for total comfort and privacy; the first with a shower and bath, and the latter with a shower for revitalising refreshment.
The fourth and fifth bedrooms at Demeter both feature zip-and-link super king beds that can be transformed into twins upon requirement. With every detail lovingly considered, each bedroom offers a peaceful sanctuary in which to rest and recline. Completing the picture, a sixth bedroom can be found in a separate building, The Hayloft, with twin beds, offering a tranquil space to start and end each day. This bedroom also enjoys an ensuite bathroom, complete with a bath and hand shower.
Two additional bathrooms can be found in the downstairs cloak room and the pool house, and all are supplied with Bramley products, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
Outdoor space
Tempting for nostalgic reveries throughout the year, the outside space of Demeter is a dream in all seasons. Set amongst verdant Sussex countryside, its tended gardens blend with rolling rural landscapes to paint a timeless portrait of quintessential English country charm. Wake up to dawn light cresting the horizon and step outside to make the most of the flourishing patchwork of tamed and wild spaces, from the soft lawns and suntrap terraces to the bullrush framed pond and lake.
For entertainment, uncover the courtyard barn's games room, where a bar, table tennis, table football, darts, and Smart TV call to all generations. Pour a beverage from the drinks fridge, topped with ice from the ice maker, before unwinding on the loggia where a dining table for twelve and comfortable sun loungers reside. A children's haven, a bespoke treehouse provides an unforgettable escape amongst the trees, while for those quiet moments for all, a rose garden can be found beside a lily pond, framed by a willow tree and decorated with occasional benches. For the finest alfresco feasts, a selection of dining areas await, while for soothing evenings beneath a star-studded cosmos, a bubbling hot tub promises utmost bliss.
Swimming pool and pool house
Immerse in the outdoor pool at Demeter. Available from the Easter holidays until October, this crystalline gem beckons for revitalising waterside moments under sun-kissed skies. Recline on a sun lounger, trace gentle laps of the pool, or head into the pool house to uncover a beautifully curated space for relaxation. With a dual aspect overlooking the pool and countryside beyond, the pool house features a comfortable living area, kitchen, and an outdoor dining table and chairs. Setting the soundtrack are portable Sonos speakers.
Parking
There is parking for up to eight cars at Demeter.
Babies and children
Babies and children are most welcome at Demeter. A cot and highchair are provided upon request.
Dogs
Two well behaved dogs are welcome at Demeter. Dog bowls and towels are provided and an outdoor hose is available for use. Please note, there is an additional fee per dog, per week or short break.
In the Area
Encompassed by rolling countryside yet only a few miles from the coast, Demeter promises a wonderful base from which to relax and explore. A leisurely drive away, the ancient town of Rye nestles beside the sea and showcases some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in the country. Meander through its picturesque streets, dipping in and out of welcoming cafés, before following the lure of the sea to Camber Sands and Winchelsea where golden swathes await. For floral moments in perfumed air, uncover the romantic gardens of Great Dixter, where a 15th-century house sits pretty amongst vibrant ornamental gardens. Elsewhere, the moated Bodiam Castle encourages a memorable trip through over 600 years of history.
For delicious brunches, lunches, and dinners, The Fig and The Whitehouse in Rye are both enticing destinations serving imaginative dishes with global inspiration. Offering atmospheric dining, the 17th-century Ferry Inn on the Isle of Oxney is beloved for its expertly crafted menus of seasonal favourites, paired with local ales and Sussex and Kentish wines. Meanwhile, for a drop of something delicious, an array of local vineyards welcome guests to wander through rows of sun-soaked vines and sample some of the finest still and sparkling English wines. Head to favourites such as Tillingham, Oxney, Gusbourne, Chapel Down and more and anticipate award-winning food and drink, before returning to your luxury abode.