Furnace Brook Lodge | Cabin in East Sussex | Canopy & Stars
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A dreamy, drowsy lakeside retreat a couple of hours from London - peace, wildlife, wild swimming and the High Weald and South Downs landscapes to explore
Wander through the willows by the lake, cross the bridge and you’ve arrived at a little pool of peace in the middle of the High Weald AONB. Here you can lounge on the deck and keep an eye out for the bright flash of kingfishers, meet the geese and the resident cats, take a wild swim or plan hikes into the gentle hills of the South Downs National Park. Your host Di is a true Pearly Queen and Furnace Brook is run as a CIC, so you’re doing your bit for the community just by showing up. Di and Alistair also happen to have a microbrewery in the barn so you can try out some extremely local beer while at the lodge or if you visit the Merrie Harriers, a 16th-century coaching inn a mile’s walk away that also does great food.
The lodge itself is a lovely space that retains hints of its original purpose in the fishing-themed decor. While Di is the master brewer, Alistair, founder of The Carbon Free Group, is the sustainability expert who has crafted the cabin into a space as green as its surroundings. It’s so encompassed by nature that a tree even grows straight through the deck. There’s a standard double bed, an open-plan kitchen and lounge area and an en suite bathroom, all of which are equipped with enough modernity to keep you comfortable while taking nothing away from your immersion in nature. The big bi-fold doors mean you can watch the water from the deck or the sofa. You’ll get a glimpse of the car park to your right and Di and Alistair’s house is 30m behind you, but neither make you feel intruded upon. Whether you simply sit and watch the lake on The Lodge’s private jetty garden or even head to the coast for a beach day trip, this is a calming haven where a good chat, a great beer and a nap are never far away. As if this wasn't enough, wild swimming & paddle boarding is possible right from the lodge deck itself in the private 6 acre lake.
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Essentials
The important stuff
Check in: 3 - 6 pm - Furnace Brook operates a self check-in, so you do not need to contact the owners about an arrival time. Instructions regarding this are sent out as soon as Furnace Brook receive your booking. If you don't receive that email or need any further assistance, don't hesitate to get in contact with the owners.
Please be aware that even though there are laid chalk paths, they are on clay soil so can get sticky when wet, sensible footwear is a must!
The owners aim to maintain peace & tranquillity whenever possible but it can occasionally be necessary to use noisy equipment. The owners try to keep this to a minimum
WiFi
No mobile phone signal
Guests are welcome to wild swim or bring their own paddleboarding equipment to use on the lake (The owners will just ask you to sign a disclaimer)
Sleeping arrangements
One double bed
Cooking
Electric oven
Microwave
Fridge freezer
Small BBQ on the private jetty lake
Fully equipped kitchen
Washing
Shower
Flushing toilet
Heating, lighting & bedding
Bed linen and towels provided
Electric heating
Electric lighting
Plug sockets
Entertainment
Board games
Cards
Books
Wild swimming
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Parking & travel
A parking space can be reserved for guests on request
There is space to manoeuvre a wheelchair
The gravel path to the Lodge is wheelchair accessible with lighting outside
Polegate station is 9 miles away and has wheelchair access - information here
Stonegate station 11.8 miles away and has wheelchair access - information here
Site & space access
The tracks around the site are mostly grass paths
Accessibility is weather dependant as it can get very wet and muddy around the lake
There is an uneven bridge made of scaffold boards at the end of the lake, this is unsuitable for wheelchairs
There is a threshold strip at the entrance
Doors for kitchen, lounge, shower, and cupboard are 72cm
Bathroom entrance is 62cm
The site is all on one floor
The is a step up to the shower
Mobility aid
This space doesn’t usually welcome dogs, due to livestock and wildlife – please let the owner know if you’re bringing an assistance dog, so they can prepare for your arrival
This space does not have any accessible fittings (i.e grab rails, shower chair, hoist etc.)
Things you should know
Please note the car park is sloping and the surface is uneven with loose gravel in some places
Doorways not wheelchair accessible: 62cms into toilet, 72cms max into the kitchen/lounge/shower
Small step up to the shower and no grab rails in the bathroom
From Cowbeech there's a brown sign for "Fish Farm & Fishery" opposite the Merrie Harriers pub which points down Trolliloes Lane. Furnace Brook is about a mile down the lane on your left. After entering the main gate turn right for the car park & reception.
By public transport
There's a bus stop in Herstmonceux, 3 miles away
There's a train station in Polegate (8 miles), Berwick (10 miles), Stonegate (11 miles) and Battle (11.8 miles)
Taxi
Edwards Cars and Minibuses - 01323887887 (please pre book if possible)Approximate fares: Polegate Station to Furnace Book - £15. Stonegate Station to Furnace Brook - £25.
The Ashtree Inn (5.4 miles) - 17th century free house serving traditional home-cooked food, seated next to the fireplace or in the beer garden
The Brewer's Arms (3.6 miles) - Delicious food, beautifully presented, friendly staff, fantastic steaks. Great all round cosy, country pub
The Swan Inn (3.4miles) - One of the oldest pubs in Sussex, dating from the 12th century. Stunning views and great pies!
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Activities
At Furnace Brook
Walks, bird watching, sunbathing in jetty garden and stargazing.
Wild swimming and paddleboarding on your own private lake from the deck. Bring your own paddleboard equipment. (The owners will just ask you to sign a disclaimer)
Places to visit
Windmill Hill Windmill - Tallest post mill in Sussex!
Observatory & Science Centre - Spectacular hands-on science and discovery among the domes and telescopes of a world famous astronomical observatory.
Michelham Priory (8 miles) - Living medieval museum.
Bateman's, Rudyard Kipling's House, (8 miles) run by National Trust
High Weald has 30 small manor houses, castles and beautiful parks and gardens.
Outdoor & active
The High Weald - This area’s woodland conceals over 30 small manor houses, castles and beautiful parks and gardens.
Other highlights include Bewl Water – the largest area of inland water in the South East of England; Harrison’s Rocks – a 1.5km sandstone climbing crag; and Bedgebury Forest which has 22km of cycle tracks including the Cuckoo trail (converted 11 mile railway track with wildlife art trail (approximately 4 miles from Furnace Brook)).
Open farms and woodlands provide a countryside experience; and a car-free view of the landscape can be enjoyed from one of the area’s 3 steam railways.
South Downs National Park - A 15 minute drive from Furnace Brook you’ll find the glorious south downs national park.
Seaford head (local nature reserve on the edge of the South Downs national park) is where you get the best views of the famous Seven Sisters. Nearby to Beachy Head & Birling Gap (has a fabulous visitors centre!)
The owners offer the following on site at Furnace Brook:
One-to-one fishing coaching (3hr session). Cost includes hire of all equipment which guests can also use for rest of their stay. Please let the owners know at least one week in advance of your stay if you would like to book a session and for info on the current rates.
Willow weaving and cob oven building
Private yoga sessions
Seasonal Tap Room events in the Barn where guests can sample a range of craft beer
Furnace Brook Lodge also run various courses throughout the year on health and wellbeing and other woodland craft themes. Check the events page on their website for a full programme of activity taking place during your stay.
Prior booking for any of the above activities is essential and guests can do so directly with the owners after booking.
Read more
Meet your hosts
Meet Diane and Alistair
Diane, the Pearly Queen of St Pancras (and brewster), a true pearly through and through, she is all about community, about bringing people together. From the moment she greets you as if you’re an old friend she just hasn’t seen for a while to the feeling of belonging she generates for anyone in her presence; Di wants us all to be kind to each other and to ourselves.
Alistair; the sustainability master, Chairman and Co founder of The Carbon Free Group, creating partnerships of designers and innovators to produce 'carbon free' models such as carbon neutral concrete or the lowest embodied energy building in Europe. Alistair spent 40 years supporting the charity his grandfather set up educating tens of thousands of school children about the environment. Alistair now combines these skills so that Furnace Brook embodies these philosophies & demonstrates many models of sustainable living.
Diane moved to Furnace Brook in 2000. After meeting Alistair in 2008, falling in love and getting married they decided to make Furnace Brook their permanent home in 2014. Since then they have transformed this old fishery into a wonderland of biodiversity and sustainable living.
As of 2020 they established Furnace Brook CIC to support and foster models of resilience, health and wellbeing in connection with the natural environment.
Wildlife & the environment
Furnace Brook is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Batsford Hollow (at top of the lake) is an off grid area where a range of intermediate technologies are applied for energy generation and cooking. The owners have kicked off their biodiversity monitoring program by creating bird guides and collection forms for guests, and by putting up info posters on various bird species in the fisherman's kitchen. They have also been certified as a gold standard member of the UN's Generation Restoration.
You'll see plenty of wildlife on site such as deer, badger, numerous water fowl including kingfishers, loads of different butterfly species, dragonflies, woodpeckers and Phes the pheasant.
Wander through the willows by the lake, cross the bridge and you’ve arrived at a little pool of peace in the middle of the High Weald AONB. Here you can lounge on the deck and keep an eye out for the bright flash of kingfishers, meet the geese and the resident cats, take a wild swim or plan hikes into the gentle hills of the South Downs National Park. Your host Di is a true Pearly Queen and Furnace Brook is run as a CIC, so you’re doing your bit for the community just by showing up. Di and Alistair also happen to have a microbrewery in the barn so you can try out some extremely local beer while at the lodge or if you visit the Merrie Harriers, a 16th-century coaching inn a mile’s walk away that also does great food.
The lodge itself is a lovely space that retains hints of its original purpose in the fishing-themed decor. While Di is the master brewer, Alistair, founder of The Carbon Free Group, is the sustainability expert who has crafted the cabin into a space as green as its surroundings. It’s so encompassed by nature that a tree even grows straight through the deck. There’s a standard double bed, an open-plan kitchen and lounge area and an en suite bathroom, all of which are equipped with enough modernity to keep you comfortable while taking nothing away from your immersion in nature. The big bi-fold doors mean you can watch the water from the deck or the sofa. You’ll get a glimpse of the car park to your right and Di and Alistair’s house is 30m behind you, but neither make you feel intruded upon. Whether you simply sit and watch the lake on The Lodge’s private jetty garden or even head to the coast for a beach day trip, this is a calming haven where a good chat, a great beer and a nap are never far away. As if this wasn't enough, wild swimming & paddle boarding is possible right from the lodge deck itself in the private 6 acre lake.
Check in: 3 - 6 pm - Furnace Brook operates a self check-in, so you do not need to contact the owners about an arrival time. Instructions regarding this are sent out as soon as Furnace Brook receive your booking. If you don't receive that email or need any further assistance, don't hesitate to get in contact with the owners.
Please be aware that even though there are laid chalk paths, they are on clay soil so can get sticky when wet, sensible footwear is a must!
The owners aim to maintain peace & tranquillity whenever possible but it can occasionally be necessary to use noisy equipment. The owners try to keep this to a minimum
WiFi
No mobile phone signal
Guests are welcome to wild swim or bring their own paddleboarding equipment to use on the lake (The owners will just ask you to sign a disclaimer)
A parking space can be reserved for guests on request
There is space to manoeuvre a wheelchair
The gravel path to the Lodge is wheelchair accessible with lighting outside
Polegate station is 9 miles away and has wheelchair access - information here
Stonegate station 11.8 miles away and has wheelchair access - information here
Site & space access
The tracks around the site are mostly grass paths
Accessibility is weather dependant as it can get very wet and muddy around the lake
There is an uneven bridge made of scaffold boards at the end of the lake, this is unsuitable for wheelchairs
There is a threshold strip at the entrance
Doors for kitchen, lounge, shower, and cupboard are 72cm
Bathroom entrance is 62cm
The site is all on one floor
The is a step up to the shower
Mobility aid
This space doesn’t usually welcome dogs, due to livestock and wildlife – please let the owner know if you’re bringing an assistance dog, so they can prepare for your arrival
This space does not have any accessible fittings (i.e grab rails, shower chair, hoist etc.)
Things you should know
Please note the car park is sloping and the surface is uneven with loose gravel in some places
Doorways not wheelchair accessible: 62cms into toilet, 72cms max into the kitchen/lounge/shower
Small step up to the shower and no grab rails in the bathroom
From Cowbeech there's a brown sign for "Fish Farm & Fishery" opposite the Merrie Harriers pub which points down Trolliloes Lane. Furnace Brook is about a mile down the lane on your left. After entering the main gate turn right for the car park & reception.
By public transport
There's a bus stop in Herstmonceux, 3 miles away
There's a train station in Polegate (8 miles), Berwick (10 miles), Stonegate (11 miles) and Battle (11.8 miles)
Taxi
Edwards Cars and Minibuses - 01323887887 (please pre book if possible)Approximate fares: Polegate Station to Furnace Book - £15. Stonegate Station to Furnace Brook - £25.
Walks, bird watching, sunbathing in jetty garden and stargazing.
Wild swimming and paddleboarding on your own private lake from the deck. Bring your own paddleboard equipment. (The owners will just ask you to sign a disclaimer)
Places to visit
Windmill Hill Windmill - Tallest post mill in Sussex!
Observatory & Science Centre - Spectacular hands-on science and discovery among the domes and telescopes of a world famous astronomical observatory.
Michelham Priory (8 miles) - Living medieval museum.
Bateman's, Rudyard Kipling's House, (8 miles) run by National Trust
High Weald has 30 small manor houses, castles and beautiful parks and gardens.
Outdoor & active
The High Weald - This area’s woodland conceals over 30 small manor houses, castles and beautiful parks and gardens.
Other highlights include Bewl Water – the largest area of inland water in the South East of England; Harrison’s Rocks – a 1.5km sandstone climbing crag; and Bedgebury Forest which has 22km of cycle tracks including the Cuckoo trail (converted 11 mile railway track with wildlife art trail (approximately 4 miles from Furnace Brook)).
Open farms and woodlands provide a countryside experience; and a car-free view of the landscape can be enjoyed from one of the area’s 3 steam railways.
South Downs National Park - A 15 minute drive from Furnace Brook you’ll find the glorious south downs national park.
Seaford head (local nature reserve on the edge of the South Downs national park) is where you get the best views of the famous Seven Sisters. Nearby to Beachy Head & Birling Gap (has a fabulous visitors centre!)
The owners offer the following on site at Furnace Brook:
One-to-one fishing coaching (3hr session). Cost includes hire of all equipment which guests can also use for rest of their stay. Please let the owners know at least one week in advance of your stay if you would like to book a session and for info on the current rates.
Willow weaving and cob oven building
Private yoga sessions
Seasonal Tap Room events in the Barn where guests can sample a range of craft beer
Furnace Brook Lodge also run various courses throughout the year on health and wellbeing and other woodland craft themes. Check the events page on their website for a full programme of activity taking place during your stay.
Prior booking for any of the above activities is essential and guests can do so directly with the owners after booking.
Diane, the Pearly Queen of St Pancras (and brewster), a true pearly through and through, she is all about community, about bringing people together. From the moment she greets you as if you’re an old friend she just hasn’t seen for a while to the feeling of belonging she generates for anyone in her presence; Di wants us all to be kind to each other and to ourselves.
Alistair; the sustainability master, Chairman and Co founder of The Carbon Free Group, creating partnerships of designers and innovators to produce 'carbon free' models such as carbon neutral concrete or the lowest embodied energy building in Europe. Alistair spent 40 years supporting the charity his grandfather set up educating tens of thousands of school children about the environment. Alistair now combines these skills so that Furnace Brook embodies these philosophies & demonstrates many models of sustainable living.
Diane moved to Furnace Brook in 2000. After meeting Alistair in 2008, falling in love and getting married they decided to make Furnace Brook their permanent home in 2014. Since then they have transformed this old fishery into a wonderland of biodiversity and sustainable living.
As of 2020 they established Furnace Brook CIC to support and foster models of resilience, health and wellbeing in connection with the natural environment.
Wildlife & the environment
Furnace Brook is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Batsford Hollow (at top of the lake) is an off grid area where a range of intermediate technologies are applied for energy generation and cooking. The owners have kicked off their biodiversity monitoring program by creating bird guides and collection forms for guests, and by putting up info posters on various bird species in the fisherman's kitchen. They have also been certified as a gold standard member of the UN's Generation Restoration.
You'll see plenty of wildlife on site such as deer, badger, numerous water fowl including kingfishers, loads of different butterfly species, dragonflies, woodpeckers and Phes the pheasant.
This is just a magical place, a completely peaceful oasis where you can just stop and breathe. The setting is so beautiful, the range of wildlife is a real joy.
22/03/2025
Carolyn
Just home from the loveliest stay at Furnace Brook.
I cannot remember the last time I felt such a complete sense of peace… This is an absolutely magical little spot with a spectacular view over the lake and countryside. I saw deer , a kingfisher, grebes, mallards, a wagtail and of course , the goose
24/01/2025
Carolyn
A beautiful setting so close to London. It was bliss waking up to the lakeside views and watching the wildlife in the morning, before heading out to explore the nearby villages and castles. Some lovely walks and medieval pubs in the area too. Would 100% recommend.
21/12/2024
Fern
Lovely setting, very quiet and relaxing
23/10/2024
Keith
We had a peaceful and restful weekend at Furnace Brook Lodge, enjoying the enchanting view of the lake, the countryside walking routes and charming pubs. The absolute silence, save for birdsong, made for a much needed contrast to our life in London. Having the privacy of the whole lake felt extremely luxurious, and you can experience lake swimming with the comfort of going straight in to your warm lodge after.
11/10/2024
Peter
So my now wife found this site and never expected to find such a stunning place. We came here for a mini honeymoon and what a treat it was. Fantastic setting and a warm/clean and beautiful little lodge with an exceptional view. Waking up to nature is the best and having a direct view of the lake was stunning. We then went on trips to nearby Eastbourne and Hastings which made it even better. We fully recommend it and have told all our friends about it as well.
15/09/2024
Jason
I will definitely be back, I want to see this stay in every season and all the colours. It is beautifully situated on the lake and is a haven of peace.
I was warmly welcomed by Di and All.
Thank you again and see you soon
28/08/2024
Niels
Fantastic stay in a wonderful, peaceful setting
12/08/2024
Andrew
A wonderfully relaxing stay in the Sussex countryside. The lodge is a perfect place to unwind and being situated on the lake it allows uninterrupted views and experience of the local wildlife. Kelly made sure our stay was great and a bonus for us was that there was a charity quiz night which we were invited to and made very welcome by the locals and owners Di and Alistair. Overall a great place to recharge the batteries!
09/08/2024
Thomas
We had a wonderful time at Furnace Brook Lodge - what a magical place and we are full of respect for what Alasdair and Di are doing there. We felt lucky to have such a peaceful retreat, immersed in nature.
02/08/2024
Jennifer
A lovely place to stay for a weekend away or longer. Very peaceful.
19/07/2024
Charlie
We have just had a lovely 2 night stay at Furnace brook lodge and it was absolutely perfect, the lodge is well equipped lovely comfortable bed and the views and tranquility of this place is amazing. We loved sitting outside watching the fish jump out the water with a cup of tea and biscuits. Come home feeling very rested just wish we had stayed a bit longer.
17/06/2024
Ann
It was brilliant, just what we needed to relax a recharge. Great place
14/06/2024
Angela
It was really lovely. The lodge surroundings were beautiful and so peaceful. We enjoyed sitting on the decking with a beer and playing wit the chess board provided!
02/06/2024
Lydia
We had a lovely stay at Furnace Brook. The lodge was lovely and the view was idyllic. We were not bothered at all and we got complimentary beer and everything we needed. The bed was also very comfortable. My husband fished on the platform and caught lots of fish. It was very quiet and peaceful.
17/05/2024
Rachel
Exceeded our expectations!
Friends recommended it
40 minute drive to get there
The most peaceful,secluded little gem we've ever stayed
My husband caught so many beautiful fish
The scenery was delightful
Accommodation was clean, comfortable and more than adequate
Laying in bed looking out in the morning/evening
Pheasant, Cockerell, geese, ducks, numerous small birds visited
Ease of check in impressive
Will definitely return...... soon
12/05/2024
Jo
Really enjoyed this break. Had a great time it’s my dad. The lodge was decorated really nicely and lovely place to stay. The fishing was also the best we’ve experienced in years. Caught many species and good size fish.
19/04/2024
Lewis
booked to go away somewhere peaceful for my 50th birthday... and Furnace brook certainly delivered that, was bliss waking up there with just the sounds of birds and water flowing
05/04/2024
jo
Absolutely amazing. Views are breathtaking and the peace and tranquility is magical. Plenty of space to wonder and the lodge itself is charming and cosy.
20/03/2024
Omar
We had a lovely 5 night stay in the lodge on the side of the lake. Fishing every day with a variety of fish caught. Very peaceful and relaxing.
11/03/2024
Sue
What an absolute little Gem of a place to stay, Furnace Brook Lodge. Perfect tranquil surroundings and lovely walks to explore. The lodge is perfect for a few days away, Compact, yet spacious, with lounge/bedroom and separate kitchen with all you need, shower room and separate toilet and store cupboard for clothing and bags etc. bright and looking onto lake from bed or sofa as amazing. The weather was not good when we stayed, however it felt we were so close to the outdoors being able to see so much of outside from the inside. The 2 Geese were great security announcing when anyone came on to the lake. A visit from a male pheasant on our decking area. We caught some fish, which I had never done before and released them immediately. A really wonderful place to escape to and enjoy peace and quiet. We visited Hailsham to have some drinks and food as the nearest pub was closed during our stay. I would have no reservations in recommending this wonderful lodge to others and it is the perfect place for a short trip to the countryside and fishing lake.
20/02/2024
sally
Had a lovely time, really easy to find and let ourselves in and out.
26/01/2024
Chloe
Furnace Brook Lodge was peaceful and beautiful. The lodge is decorated tastefully and had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend away. The fishing was great and my husband thoroughly enjoyed the private fishing area outside the lodge.
24/11/2023
Candice
An amazing stay, this is a wonderful place to get away for sone peace and quiet. Waking up and being able to see the lake from the bed and sitting out in the deck were both wonderful. So much wildlife you can see just from the cabin. I liked it so much I extended my stay.
09/10/2023
Gail
We were looking for some tranquility in Sussex - near to Lewes and the South Downs, but away from the coast. Furnace Brook Lodge turned out to be the perfect destination: basic, but with a gorgeous view of the lake, and enough kit to rustle up some delicious food. The fishing (rod was £20 to hire) was an added bonus, as was the local pheasant!
06/10/2023
Adam
We had an enchanting stay at the lodge! The peace and tranquility was magnificent - and a kingfisher visited the terrace several times, we saw wagtails, robins, wrens, a goose, ducks and a pheasant, sheep, fish in the lake, heard frogs, and stargazing at night was superb! There are beautiful walks onsite - once arrived, we didn't need to get into the car, soaking up the wonderful views from the lodge. We trekked to Batford Hollow and Twitten Dell, taking in the beautiful sights along the lake and river, and enjoying the peace and quiet.
26/08/2023
Sally
Idyllic. We had 3 nights in the cabin on the lake, our only break of the summer and exhausted needed proper respite. It didn’t disappoint. Morning waking to the tranquility of the lake was further complimented by a visit from a Kingfisher as we sat up in bed with our coffees. We lucky enough to experience a palette of weather, a dynamic thunderstorm showing an atmospheric difference to the cloudless skies. On our walk round the lake we encountered wild deer, a heron, a kestrel, many birds and inquisitive sheep. There was also a Mexican stand-off with a goose. They won…
Our accommodation was cosy, all worked perfectly (great hot shower!) and we enjoyed just relaxing in the space, bi-fold doors open to the lake and a much-needed healing and break from the hecticness of eternal obligations.
The cherry on the icing was meeting our lovely hosts Diana and Alistair and finding out more about the wonderful nature work they do and have further plans for with their infectious passion, energy and commitment. We’ll be back (at least for their event on Oct 21st ‘23).
23/08/2023
Barney
A wonderful and tranquil setting, the lodge overlooking the lake is relaxing, watching the resident pair of cormorants, the territorial goose honking at the fishermen and the ducks and wrens popping up here there and everywhere.....we even had a visit from a young friendly pheasant.
A perfect spot if the weather is nice...sadly it was hit and miss for us but we still had a good time.
A fully equipped kitchen and full size fridge was good, two under counter stools to sit and eat from over looking the lake and the goings on, there is a small sofa bed to sit on and a small table chairs, shelving next to the bed.....nothing you could not want for really....even a bottle of their own beer was left for us to sample (sadly we had to share it).
An hours drive from Brighton meant an easy run for us, also stopping at the Custom Cafe for breakfast on the day we left.
You won't go wrong booking a few nights at the lodge....
11/08/2023
mel
We had a wonderful time. The Lodge was so peaceful and was great when we had both sun and rain. Everything just felt so easy and we were truly able to switch off.
21/07/2023
Rosie
Great location, beautiful scenery. Diane was very accommodating
09/07/2023
nichole
Relaxing, peaceful in a stunning location. Perfect for fishing and de stressing.
07/07/2023
Sophie
The stay exceeded expectations. The hosts were lovely and extremely helpful. The location is also beautiful with access to stunning walks, wild swimming and the sea
02/06/2023
Alex
We enjoyed a 2-night stay at Furnace Lodge and it was truly amazing. No photos will do the place justice really; being immersed in the wildlife and farm animals with views of the lake is a wonderful experience. We were so sad to leave.
The lodge itself is perfect for 2 people and has lots of lovely touches - like binoculars and card games.
We did some lovely walks around the lake and on nearby footpaths.
The hosts have left a comprehensive guide to the lodge, the lake and the local area.
What a special place - we would love to come back.
21/05/2023
Chloe
Beautiful, peaceful and perfectly equipped. You feel like you've been removed from the world but all the conveniences you'd want have come with you.
25/10/2022
Vicki
My husband and I had an amazing stay at Furnace Brook Lodge. There was everything that we needed and the most perfect views from the lounge/ bedroom out on to the fishing lake. A cockerel even joined us for our coffee outside one afternoon! The owners were extremely helpful, notifying us of nearby road closures and making sure that we had all the information that we needed prior to arrival. I would definitely recommend for a getaway, particularly if you are a fan of fishing and nature!
05/09/2022
Michaela
We loved our stay at Furnace Brook Lodge. Everything was fantastic. We had a lovely walk, great Sunday pub lunch nearby, and came back to a relaxing time fishing. The hosts were very welcoming but also gave us plenty of space. There were lots of animal friends, as well! Lovely stay, would visit again and recommend to anyone
03/09/2022
Grace
Beautiful nature, very quiet place. Best approached by bike or car. Nice walks around the area.
19/08/2022
Luca
Furnace Brook looked nice online but when you get there, its beauty truly hits you. We thoroughly enjoyed our mini break.
02/08/2022
Barbara
Peaceful and wonderful in all weathers. Dazzling natural beauty. The photographs do not do Furnace Brook justice!
31/05/2022
Meg
We had 2 nights at Furnace Brook Lodge, and thought the location was lovely - a beautiful outlook over the fishing lake, with ducks and geese to watch, and sheep on the hill in the distance. Tranquil, easy access, close to great sites of interest, and comfortable accommodation, well furnished, and well thought-out.
10/05/2022
Elisabeth
We spent 2 nights at the lodge and enjoyed every moment. The area was beautiful and so tranquil. An amazing place to relax and just enjoy being in nature. We loved the variety of wildlife from ducks to chickens to a lovely cat that came and joined us on the deck for one evening. Would 100% recommend.
30/04/2022
Amy
Really restful stay. Great location overlooking the lake with no noise apart from birdsong. Saw redpoll birds for the first time!
05/04/2022
Sam
A lovely relaxing place to stay and switch off for a few days.
28/03/2022
Emma
We had a short stay to celebrate my birthday. The lodge was small but comfortable and the location looking out over the peaceful lake was fabulous. The hosts were very helpful in sorting out a place to charge our electric van and also directed us to a spot where we could swim. We enjoyed exploring the site and chatting to members of the team about the work they do there. It was a lovely break.
20/03/2022
Hilary
Great location, peaceful, picturesque,unusual, everyth8ng we needed was there. Super place for relaxation.
11/03/2022
Louise
Wonderful relaxing stay. Great value for money and highly efficient to check in. Loved it.
05/12/2021
Ciara
An idyllic stay in beautiful countryside. The setting was unlike anywhere we've ever stayed and the lodge had everything that we needed for a restful and comfortable holiday. Even though it was November, the building stayed warm and cosy throughout our 2 day stay. There were some lovely touches, such as beer brewed on site left in the lodge on our arrival, as well as freshly laid eggs left with an honesty box just outside of the front door every morning. A truly unique break which was a welcome reprieve from London.
03/11/2021
Flora
Me and my partner had a fantastic weekend away at the lodge! The lodge itself is beautiful, and the views of the lake are amazing. My partner loves fishing, so he was in his element. The highlight of the trip was the nice ginger cat coming for a visit. Followed by 3 chickens and some very noisy geese lol. Youre surrounded by nature, it was really peaceful. The hosts were really lovely! And very forgiving we lost a set of keys (so sorry!)
All in all it would definitely recommend!
29/10/2021
Dannii
It was amazing. Very peaceful and tranquil.
22/10/2021
Nigel
Lovely relaxed couple of days at Furnace Brook. The lodge is cosy with gorgeous views across the lake. Lots of wildlife around and on the lake and it is a lovely area for walking.
20/10/2021
sue
The views were as lovely as the ones on the website. It was so peaceful
17/10/2021
Anne
We absolutely loved our stay here in September. It was a perfect escape in a beautiful lakeside lodge.
08/09/2021
Erin
We had a great week in the lodge. It was very well equipped and comfortable, with amazing views across the lake. Whilst my partner was fishing, I relaxed on the deck or the jetty garden reading and watching the wildlife. It was very quiet and peaceful, with an occasional glimpse of other fishermen.
01/07/2021
Janet
Amazing stay. This little gem is heaven on earth. The lodge is beautiful and fully equipped with everything you may need. The lake is just stunning and spent many hours fishing and watching the wildlife. Di and Alistair are fantastic hosts. This really is a lovely little haven. We didn’t want to leave and will definitely be back.
28/06/2021
Louise
It was a thoroughly enjoyable break for 2 nights. We would have been happy staying longer. Very tranquil and peaceful stay with a picturesque view from the lodge.
Comfortable bed and well equipped kitchen made it lovely space both inside and out.
06/06/2021
Amanda
We needed a break from working a crazy couple of weeks, to unwind and allow ourselves to just relax. Furnace Brook was perfect as it was tranquil and far enough into the countryside to be away from the hustle and bustle of big towns. Waking up to the lake view was immediately calming and we enjoyed the ability to sit out on the decking and read in peace, we found and named a couple of the ducks regular to the decking around the lodge. Overall it was quiet and peaceful which is exactly what we needed.
17/05/2021
Elliot
We had a wonderful three night stay at Furnace Brook Lodge. The accommodation was excellent with lots of little touches, like a hot water bottle, games and books, local info, and a manual with how everything worked (like the radio, heating, etc). We felt totally relaxed. Not overlooked, no noisy roads, no interference. The only company was the wildlife and a few friendly fisherman using the lake, and this is exactly what we wanted.
It was a great location to use as a base and we spent the afternoons out visiting local attractions. Mornings and evenings were spent at the lodge and were idyllic.
As we left, we met Di who was lovely. We also bumped into some of the staff and they were all friendly and warm - a good sign of a happy team.
Although very tranquil it was by no means boring. The micro brewery was interesting although we didn't visit. And we viewed some work around the lake to build new accommodations. So there was an air of progression, albeit with sensitivity.
All in all, a beautiful place, lovely people and we will definitely be back.
10/05/2021
Dawn
Weekend stay in a quiet peaceful location plenty of country walks and nice pubs with good food.The lodge was spacious and very clean and well equipped.
08/05/2021
John
A lovely, warm cabin with a sweet, little kitchen and gorgeous views over a lake which you can wake up to. The people running the farm and eco village were friendly and inspiring. Great walks to do around there too, which they have written down and there are good instructions. They have a brewery there and left a beer and some cheese and crackers as a gift upon arrival
20/12/2020
Theo
We stayed for 2 nights for my birthday and it was a great trip, loved the location and the cabin was cosy and super clean.
The owners left us some treats in the kitchen too.
09/12/2020
Louise
We had 2 nights away for our wedding anniversary, it wasn’t long enough, we could have stayed there for weeks! Clean, comfortable accommodation, welcoming owners and a stunning location. I would 100% recommend furnace break lodge to anyone wanting a complete break from the crazy reality we currently find ourselves in with the pandemic.
19/10/2020
Clair
The only thing that makes me reluctant to say how excellent our stay at Furnace Brook Lodge was, is that it may then become so popular that we can’t book it again, which we definitely intend to do. It was exactly the sort of tranquil, relaxing place that we had hoped for, accompanied by a warm welcome from the owners, Di and Alistair. The Lodge was very comfortable for two and the setting, beside the small lake, just perfect. Even the weather was kind to us. If peace and quiet (allowing for an early morning alarm call from one of the resident geese) and a lovely location are what you want, we would thoroughly recommend it. Just don’t book it up for the whole year, please.
05/10/2020
Matthew
Where to start with the Furnace Brook Lodge? The friendliest of welcomes from Di and Alistair and the rest of their team who I could chat to for hours about Pearly Queens, beer and their plans and love for Furnace Brook. This is even before you get to enjoy the view of the beautiful lake and we were lucky enough to see a few Kingfishers on our first afternoon. If you want to fish then there is an option to reserve your own spot next to the lodge or you can simply enjoy the peace and quiet from the deck. The British weather did its thing and we had a bit of rain, however sitting and sheltering under the tree on our deck, with a glass of furnace ale, watching the bats flit by with one of the friendly cats on our lap was the perfect tonic for 2020! We took a day trip to Brighton, however we were at our happiest sat by the lake watching the anglers and making friends with the resident goose Nora. We will definitely be back as two days was not long enough.
17/09/2020
Jo, Canopy & Stars
Reviews
This is just a magical place, a completely peaceful oasis where you can just stop and breathe. The setting is so beautiful, the range of wildlife is a real joy.
22/03/2025
Carolyn
Just home from the loveliest stay at Furnace Brook.
I cannot remember the last time I felt such a complete sense of peace… This is an absolutely magical little spot with a spectacular view over the lake and countryside. I saw deer , a kingfisher, grebes, mallards, a wagtail and of course , the goose
24/01/2025
Carolyn
A beautiful setting so close to London. It was bliss waking up to the lakeside views and watching the wildlife in the morning, before heading out to explore the nearby villages and castles. Some lovely walks and medieval pubs in the area too. Would 100% recommend.
21/12/2024
Fern
Lovely setting, very quiet and relaxing
23/10/2024
Keith
We had a peaceful and restful weekend at Furnace Brook Lodge, enjoying the enchanting view of the lake, the countryside walking routes and charming pubs. The absolute silence, save for birdsong, made for a much needed contrast to our life in London. Having the privacy of the whole lake felt extremely luxurious, and you can experience lake swimming with the comfort of going straight in to your warm lodge after.
11/10/2024
Peter
So my now wife found this site and never expected to find such a stunning place. We came here for a mini honeymoon and what a treat it was. Fantastic setting and a warm/clean and beautiful little lodge with an exceptional view. Waking up to nature is the best and having a direct view of the lake was stunning. We then went on trips to nearby Eastbourne and Hastings which made it even better. We fully recommend it and have told all our friends about it as well.
15/09/2024
Jason
I will definitely be back, I want to see this stay in every season and all the colours. It is beautifully situated on the lake and is a haven of peace.
I was warmly welcomed by Di and All.
Thank you again and see you soon
28/08/2024
Niels
Fantastic stay in a wonderful, peaceful setting
12/08/2024
Andrew
A wonderfully relaxing stay in the Sussex countryside. The lodge is a perfect place to unwind and being situated on the lake it allows uninterrupted views and experience of the local wildlife. Kelly made sure our stay was great and a bonus for us was that there was a charity quiz night which we were invited to and made very welcome by the locals and owners Di and Alistair. Overall a great place to recharge the batteries!
09/08/2024
Thomas
We had a wonderful time at Furnace Brook Lodge - what a magical place and we are full of respect for what Alasdair and Di are doing there. We felt lucky to have such a peaceful retreat, immersed in nature.
02/08/2024
Jennifer
A lovely place to stay for a weekend away or longer. Very peaceful.
19/07/2024
Charlie
We have just had a lovely 2 night stay at Furnace brook lodge and it was absolutely perfect, the lodge is well equipped lovely comfortable bed and the views and tranquility of this place is amazing. We loved sitting outside watching the fish jump out the water with a cup of tea and biscuits. Come home feeling very rested just wish we had stayed a bit longer.
17/06/2024
Ann
It was brilliant, just what we needed to relax a recharge. Great place
14/06/2024
Angela
It was really lovely. The lodge surroundings were beautiful and so peaceful. We enjoyed sitting on the decking with a beer and playing wit the chess board provided!
02/06/2024
Lydia
We had a lovely stay at Furnace Brook. The lodge was lovely and the view was idyllic. We were not bothered at all and we got complimentary beer and everything we needed. The bed was also very comfortable. My husband fished on the platform and caught lots of fish. It was very quiet and peaceful.
17/05/2024
Rachel
Exceeded our expectations!
Friends recommended it
40 minute drive to get there
The most peaceful,secluded little gem we've ever stayed
My husband caught so many beautiful fish
The scenery was delightful
Accommodation was clean, comfortable and more than adequate
Laying in bed looking out in the morning/evening
Pheasant, Cockerell, geese, ducks, numerous small birds visited
Ease of check in impressive
Will definitely return...... soon
12/05/2024
Jo
Really enjoyed this break. Had a great time it’s my dad. The lodge was decorated really nicely and lovely place to stay. The fishing was also the best we’ve experienced in years. Caught many species and good size fish.
19/04/2024
Lewis
booked to go away somewhere peaceful for my 50th birthday... and Furnace brook certainly delivered that, was bliss waking up there with just the sounds of birds and water flowing
05/04/2024
jo
Absolutely amazing. Views are breathtaking and the peace and tranquility is magical. Plenty of space to wonder and the lodge itself is charming and cosy.
20/03/2024
Omar
We had a lovely 5 night stay in the lodge on the side of the lake. Fishing every day with a variety of fish caught. Very peaceful and relaxing.
11/03/2024
Sue
What an absolute little Gem of a place to stay, Furnace Brook Lodge. Perfect tranquil surroundings and lovely walks to explore. The lodge is perfect for a few days away, Compact, yet spacious, with lounge/bedroom and separate kitchen with all you need, shower room and separate toilet and store cupboard for clothing and bags etc. bright and looking onto lake from bed or sofa as amazing. The weather was not good when we stayed, however it felt we were so close to the outdoors being able to see so much of outside from the inside. The 2 Geese were great security announcing when anyone came on to the lake. A visit from a male pheasant on our decking area. We caught some fish, which I had never done before and released them immediately. A really wonderful place to escape to and enjoy peace and quiet. We visited Hailsham to have some drinks and food as the nearest pub was closed during our stay. I would have no reservations in recommending this wonderful lodge to others and it is the perfect place for a short trip to the countryside and fishing lake.
20/02/2024
sally
Had a lovely time, really easy to find and let ourselves in and out.
26/01/2024
Chloe
Furnace Brook Lodge was peaceful and beautiful. The lodge is decorated tastefully and had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend away. The fishing was great and my husband thoroughly enjoyed the private fishing area outside the lodge.
24/11/2023
Candice
An amazing stay, this is a wonderful place to get away for sone peace and quiet. Waking up and being able to see the lake from the bed and sitting out in the deck were both wonderful. So much wildlife you can see just from the cabin. I liked it so much I extended my stay.
09/10/2023
Gail
We were looking for some tranquility in Sussex - near to Lewes and the South Downs, but away from the coast. Furnace Brook Lodge turned out to be the perfect destination: basic, but with a gorgeous view of the lake, and enough kit to rustle up some delicious food. The fishing (rod was £20 to hire) was an added bonus, as was the local pheasant!
06/10/2023
Adam
We had an enchanting stay at the lodge! The peace and tranquility was magnificent - and a kingfisher visited the terrace several times, we saw wagtails, robins, wrens, a goose, ducks and a pheasant, sheep, fish in the lake, heard frogs, and stargazing at night was superb! There are beautiful walks onsite - once arrived, we didn't need to get into the car, soaking up the wonderful views from the lodge. We trekked to Batford Hollow and Twitten Dell, taking in the beautiful sights along the lake and river, and enjoying the peace and quiet.
26/08/2023
Sally
Idyllic. We had 3 nights in the cabin on the lake, our only break of the summer and exhausted needed proper respite. It didn’t disappoint. Morning waking to the tranquility of the lake was further complimented by a visit from a Kingfisher as we sat up in bed with our coffees. We lucky enough to experience a palette of weather, a dynamic thunderstorm showing an atmospheric difference to the cloudless skies. On our walk round the lake we encountered wild deer, a heron, a kestrel, many birds and inquisitive sheep. There was also a Mexican stand-off with a goose. They won…
Our accommodation was cosy, all worked perfectly (great hot shower!) and we enjoyed just relaxing in the space, bi-fold doors open to the lake and a much-needed healing and break from the hecticness of eternal obligations.
The cherry on the icing was meeting our lovely hosts Diana and Alistair and finding out more about the wonderful nature work they do and have further plans for with their infectious passion, energy and commitment. We’ll be back (at least for their event on Oct 21st ‘23).
23/08/2023
Barney
A wonderful and tranquil setting, the lodge overlooking the lake is relaxing, watching the resident pair of cormorants, the territorial goose honking at the fishermen and the ducks and wrens popping up here there and everywhere.....we even had a visit from a young friendly pheasant.
A perfect spot if the weather is nice...sadly it was hit and miss for us but we still had a good time.
A fully equipped kitchen and full size fridge was good, two under counter stools to sit and eat from over looking the lake and the goings on, there is a small sofa bed to sit on and a small table chairs, shelving next to the bed.....nothing you could not want for really....even a bottle of their own beer was left for us to sample (sadly we had to share it).
An hours drive from Brighton meant an easy run for us, also stopping at the Custom Cafe for breakfast on the day we left.
You won't go wrong booking a few nights at the lodge....
11/08/2023
mel
We had a wonderful time. The Lodge was so peaceful and was great when we had both sun and rain. Everything just felt so easy and we were truly able to switch off.
21/07/2023
Rosie
Great location, beautiful scenery. Diane was very accommodating
09/07/2023
nichole
Relaxing, peaceful in a stunning location. Perfect for fishing and de stressing.
07/07/2023
Sophie
The stay exceeded expectations. The hosts were lovely and extremely helpful. The location is also beautiful with access to stunning walks, wild swimming and the sea
02/06/2023
Alex
We enjoyed a 2-night stay at Furnace Lodge and it was truly amazing. No photos will do the place justice really; being immersed in the wildlife and farm animals with views of the lake is a wonderful experience. We were so sad to leave.
The lodge itself is perfect for 2 people and has lots of lovely touches - like binoculars and card games.
We did some lovely walks around the lake and on nearby footpaths.
The hosts have left a comprehensive guide to the lodge, the lake and the local area.
What a special place - we would love to come back.
21/05/2023
Chloe
Beautiful, peaceful and perfectly equipped. You feel like you've been removed from the world but all the conveniences you'd want have come with you.
25/10/2022
Vicki
My husband and I had an amazing stay at Furnace Brook Lodge. There was everything that we needed and the most perfect views from the lounge/ bedroom out on to the fishing lake. A cockerel even joined us for our coffee outside one afternoon! The owners were extremely helpful, notifying us of nearby road closures and making sure that we had all the information that we needed prior to arrival. I would definitely recommend for a getaway, particularly if you are a fan of fishing and nature!
05/09/2022
Michaela
We loved our stay at Furnace Brook Lodge. Everything was fantastic. We had a lovely walk, great Sunday pub lunch nearby, and came back to a relaxing time fishing. The hosts were very welcoming but also gave us plenty of space. There were lots of animal friends, as well! Lovely stay, would visit again and recommend to anyone
03/09/2022
Grace
Beautiful nature, very quiet place. Best approached by bike or car. Nice walks around the area.
19/08/2022
Luca
Furnace Brook looked nice online but when you get there, its beauty truly hits you. We thoroughly enjoyed our mini break.
02/08/2022
Barbara
Peaceful and wonderful in all weathers. Dazzling natural beauty. The photographs do not do Furnace Brook justice!
31/05/2022
Meg
We had 2 nights at Furnace Brook Lodge, and thought the location was lovely - a beautiful outlook over the fishing lake, with ducks and geese to watch, and sheep on the hill in the distance. Tranquil, easy access, close to great sites of interest, and comfortable accommodation, well furnished, and well thought-out.
10/05/2022
Elisabeth
We spent 2 nights at the lodge and enjoyed every moment. The area was beautiful and so tranquil. An amazing place to relax and just enjoy being in nature. We loved the variety of wildlife from ducks to chickens to a lovely cat that came and joined us on the deck for one evening. Would 100% recommend.
30/04/2022
Amy
Really restful stay. Great location overlooking the lake with no noise apart from birdsong. Saw redpoll birds for the first time!
05/04/2022
Sam
A lovely relaxing place to stay and switch off for a few days.
28/03/2022
Emma
We had a short stay to celebrate my birthday. The lodge was small but comfortable and the location looking out over the peaceful lake was fabulous. The hosts were very helpful in sorting out a place to charge our electric van and also directed us to a spot where we could swim. We enjoyed exploring the site and chatting to members of the team about the work they do there. It was a lovely break.
20/03/2022
Hilary
Great location, peaceful, picturesque,unusual, everyth8ng we needed was there. Super place for relaxation.
11/03/2022
Louise
Wonderful relaxing stay. Great value for money and highly efficient to check in. Loved it.
05/12/2021
Ciara
An idyllic stay in beautiful countryside. The setting was unlike anywhere we've ever stayed and the lodge had everything that we needed for a restful and comfortable holiday. Even though it was November, the building stayed warm and cosy throughout our 2 day stay. There were some lovely touches, such as beer brewed on site left in the lodge on our arrival, as well as freshly laid eggs left with an honesty box just outside of the front door every morning. A truly unique break which was a welcome reprieve from London.
03/11/2021
Flora
Me and my partner had a fantastic weekend away at the lodge! The lodge itself is beautiful, and the views of the lake are amazing. My partner loves fishing, so he was in his element. The highlight of the trip was the nice ginger cat coming for a visit. Followed by 3 chickens and some very noisy geese lol. Youre surrounded by nature, it was really peaceful. The hosts were really lovely! And very forgiving we lost a set of keys (so sorry!)
All in all it would definitely recommend!
29/10/2021
Dannii
It was amazing. Very peaceful and tranquil.
22/10/2021
Nigel
Lovely relaxed couple of days at Furnace Brook. The lodge is cosy with gorgeous views across the lake. Lots of wildlife around and on the lake and it is a lovely area for walking.
20/10/2021
sue
The views were as lovely as the ones on the website. It was so peaceful
17/10/2021
Anne
We absolutely loved our stay here in September. It was a perfect escape in a beautiful lakeside lodge.
08/09/2021
Erin
We had a great week in the lodge. It was very well equipped and comfortable, with amazing views across the lake. Whilst my partner was fishing, I relaxed on the deck or the jetty garden reading and watching the wildlife. It was very quiet and peaceful, with an occasional glimpse of other fishermen.
01/07/2021
Janet
Amazing stay. This little gem is heaven on earth. The lodge is beautiful and fully equipped with everything you may need. The lake is just stunning and spent many hours fishing and watching the wildlife. Di and Alistair are fantastic hosts. This really is a lovely little haven. We didn’t want to leave and will definitely be back.
28/06/2021
Louise
It was a thoroughly enjoyable break for 2 nights. We would have been happy staying longer. Very tranquil and peaceful stay with a picturesque view from the lodge.
Comfortable bed and well equipped kitchen made it lovely space both inside and out.
06/06/2021
Amanda
We needed a break from working a crazy couple of weeks, to unwind and allow ourselves to just relax. Furnace Brook was perfect as it was tranquil and far enough into the countryside to be away from the hustle and bustle of big towns. Waking up to the lake view was immediately calming and we enjoyed the ability to sit out on the decking and read in peace, we found and named a couple of the ducks regular to the decking around the lodge. Overall it was quiet and peaceful which is exactly what we needed.
17/05/2021
Elliot
We had a wonderful three night stay at Furnace Brook Lodge. The accommodation was excellent with lots of little touches, like a hot water bottle, games and books, local info, and a manual with how everything worked (like the radio, heating, etc). We felt totally relaxed. Not overlooked, no noisy roads, no interference. The only company was the wildlife and a few friendly fisherman using the lake, and this is exactly what we wanted.
It was a great location to use as a base and we spent the afternoons out visiting local attractions. Mornings and evenings were spent at the lodge and were idyllic.
As we left, we met Di who was lovely. We also bumped into some of the staff and they were all friendly and warm - a good sign of a happy team.
Although very tranquil it was by no means boring. The micro brewery was interesting although we didn't visit. And we viewed some work around the lake to build new accommodations. So there was an air of progression, albeit with sensitivity.
All in all, a beautiful place, lovely people and we will definitely be back.
10/05/2021
Dawn
Weekend stay in a quiet peaceful location plenty of country walks and nice pubs with good food.The lodge was spacious and very clean and well equipped.
08/05/2021
John
A lovely, warm cabin with a sweet, little kitchen and gorgeous views over a lake which you can wake up to. The people running the farm and eco village were friendly and inspiring. Great walks to do around there too, which they have written down and there are good instructions. They have a brewery there and left a beer and some cheese and crackers as a gift upon arrival
20/12/2020
Theo
We stayed for 2 nights for my birthday and it was a great trip, loved the location and the cabin was cosy and super clean.
The owners left us some treats in the kitchen too.
09/12/2020
Louise
We had 2 nights away for our wedding anniversary, it wasn’t long enough, we could have stayed there for weeks! Clean, comfortable accommodation, welcoming owners and a stunning location. I would 100% recommend furnace break lodge to anyone wanting a complete break from the crazy reality we currently find ourselves in with the pandemic.
19/10/2020
Clair
The only thing that makes me reluctant to say how excellent our stay at Furnace Brook Lodge was, is that it may then become so popular that we can’t book it again, which we definitely intend to do. It was exactly the sort of tranquil, relaxing place that we had hoped for, accompanied by a warm welcome from the owners, Di and Alistair. The Lodge was very comfortable for two and the setting, beside the small lake, just perfect. Even the weather was kind to us. If peace and quiet (allowing for an early morning alarm call from one of the resident geese) and a lovely location are what you want, we would thoroughly recommend it. Just don’t book it up for the whole year, please.
05/10/2020
Matthew
Where to start with the Furnace Brook Lodge? The friendliest of welcomes from Di and Alistair and the rest of their team who I could chat to for hours about Pearly Queens, beer and their plans and love for Furnace Brook. This is even before you get to enjoy the view of the beautiful lake and we were lucky enough to see a few Kingfishers on our first afternoon. If you want to fish then there is an option to reserve your own spot next to the lodge or you can simply enjoy the peace and quiet from the deck. The British weather did its thing and we had a bit of rain, however sitting and sheltering under the tree on our deck, with a glass of furnace ale, watching the bats flit by with one of the friendly cats on our lap was the perfect tonic for 2020! We took a day trip to Brighton, however we were at our happiest sat by the lake watching the anglers and making friends with the resident goose Nora. We will definitely be back as two days was not long enough.
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1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
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22/03/2025