Stay at Forstals Farm
Overview
Just ten minutes drive outside of Rye, hidden within the East Sussex countryside and over a mile from the nearest main road, lies Forstals Farm. Built in 1672 from the stones of a nearby 13th century castle, this is a house with a long memory.
The family that own the property discovered the house in 1994 — run-down but unbounded in its potential. With the utmost care, they slowly brought the property back to life and for over thirty years it served as a beloved and magical family home.
Now the younger generation have taken the reins, transforming it once more — this time into a luxury self-catering holiday home where guests can add their own chapter to the story of a place that is over 300 years old.
At a glance…
Exclusive location in East Sussex within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
17th-Century farmhouse with three converted outbuildings
Sleeps twelve across six ensuite bedrooms
Located on a 130 acre private estate featuring gardens, lakes, ancient woodland and a vineyard of over 11,000 vines.
Outdoor pool, hot tub, games room and yoga studio
Capacity for events of 200 guests or more
Private chef available on request (subject to availability)
Treehouse clearing for yoga and gatherings
SONOS speakers, Starlink Wifi and other luxury amenities
Living Spaces
The living spaces of Forstals Farmhouse have been carefully designed to preserve the character of the property whilst also providing an exceptional level of comfort for guests.
The main farmhouse features a large living room with snooker table and a 12-14 seater dining room. Old timber beams and inglenook fireplaces stand alongside carefully chosen details and inviting furnishings. The double height kitchen honours the farm history whilst concealing state of the art appliances to cater for large crowds.
The rustic games room sits in the barn across the courtyard with its own bar to keep guests entertained long after dinner. A second barn has been converted into an intentionally multi-purpose space; a pool house, a yoga studio or simply a second living room for young ones to retreat to.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Forstals Farm has six bedrooms, five in the farmhouse and one in the hayloft barn. All are ensuite and each with its own character. Bespoke window dressings and matching linens mean that no two bedrooms are the same. With the morning light arriving differently in every room, guests will have a unique experience no matter where they sleep.
Two are super king, one is king, another is a twin and the final two are zip-and-link rooms that can shift between super-king and twin as the party requires. The ensuite-bathrooms have also been uniquely hand-tiled to match the bedrooms. All have deep walk-in showers, and two additionally feature large bathtubs.
Outdoors
Forstals Farm spans over 130 acres and so has ample outdoor facilities available for guest use. Behind the farmhouse lies the courtyard garden, catching the early sun and making it the perfect place for a morning coffee. In front, the terrace faces west over the lake, where the sunsets do most of the talking.
To the left of the farm house lies the rose garden to walk through and a quiet spot by the pond, perfect for those who brought a book. To the right, guests will find the pool barn.
Beyond the farmhouse, the vineyard stretches out in a southerly direction. The treehouse sits within the ancient woodland, overlooking a clearing that is available for outdoor yoga classes and other events.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Forstals Farm is under two hours from central London by car, making it an ideal weekend retreat or week-long escape from the city.
The nearest train station is Rye, approximately ten minutes away by car, with direct services from London St Pancras taking around 90 minutes.
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Two well behaved dogs welcome. An additional fee of £50 per dog will be added to cover the cost of additional cleaning.
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The pool is open from May to October. The hot tub is available all year round.
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Yes, there is a pub in the village just over a mile away. It is roughly a 25 minute walk.
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Yes. Forstals Farm has ample private on-site parking for multiple vehicles, set within the private estate. The property is located over a mile from the nearest main road, ensuring a quiet and completely private stay.
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Yes. Forstals Farm is ideally suited to multi-generational family stays. The property sleeps 12 guests across six ensuite bedrooms, with two flexible zip-and-link rooms that convert between super-king and twin configurations to suit different family needs. The grounds include a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, games room, treehouse, ancient woodland and a vineyard — with something for every generation.
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Camber Sands beach is approximately twenty minutes from Forstals Farm by car, making it one of the closest luxury holiday properties to one of the south-east's most beautiful stretches of coastline.
The ancient town of Rye is just ten minutes away, and Tillingham, Gusbourne, Oxney, Chapel Down and wider Sussex vineyards, all within a twenty-minute drive
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Yes. Forstals Farm is well suited to corporate retreats, team away-days and off-site meetings. The property offers exclusive hire of a 130-acre private estate with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, high-speed Starlink WiFi, a fully equipped kitchen for catered events, and the option of a private chef on request.
Sleeping up to 12 guests overnight in 6 bedrooms, it is ideal for leadership retreats, team building weekends and incentive trips.
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Yes. Forstals Farm is available for exclusive hire for weddings, milestone celebrations, corporate retreats and private events. The 130-acre private estate can accommodate events of 150 guests or more, with the farmhouse sleeping 12 overnight guests across six ensuite bedrooms. For weddings and event enquiries please contact enquiries@forstalsfarm.co.uk.