Viva Lewes April 2015 Issue #103

we try
Eco Skyhouse
Rooms with a view
Twenty years ago, one of my favourite ever holidays
came out of one of the worst. We cut short a terrible
foreign stay and for a week ‘holidayed’ in our own
town. It gave a whole new perspective. So when offered
the chance to try the new luxury eco bed and
breakfast at the top of Cuilfail estate, I’m excited.
I arrive on a beautiful spring day, wending my way
to the aptly-named two level Skyhouse – an angled
and striking Baufritz building (Grand Designs viewers
may remember this German manufacturer of
eco-friendly ‘kit’ houses so well engineered that
they take just days to erect). Almost the entire
frontage is glass. I walk up the drive past the front
lawn and elegant pond - and look back at astonishing
views over Lewes and the Downs.
Host/owner, Amy Burgess, who lives with her partner
Jim on the upper level, greets me and takes
me to the rear door, which opens into a spacious
kitchen and lounge area for guests. My husband
Rob and I are staying in one of three luxurious ensuite
bedrooms (one wheelchair-accessible). Oak
floorboards cover underfloor heating, and there’s a
massive bed. Rob is at the Dripping Pan watching
football, so I make myself a cuppa using the boiling
water tap, curl up on the blue sofa to read, but keep
getting distracted by the view. When Rob arrives
after a precious Lewes win (I heard the crowd cheer
when they scored), we borrow a torch and head to
the Snowdrop, cutting down Chapel Hill. We have
a pint and a tasty pulled-pork burger before walking
back up. It’s a steep walk, but pleasurable. The skies
are clear and the stars beautiful. There’s no moon
though, so we’re grateful for the torch.
Next morning, after a good sleep and an excellent
bath (lovely fluffy towels), we go for a brief stroll
out the back gate, which takes you to Malling
Down. Then we return ready for breakfast made by
Photos by Rob Read
Amy’s young neighbour, Lottie, who has invented
the Skyhouse speciality, the Smoothie Bowl. You
choose red, purple, green or yellow. We’ve picked
red, comprising smoothie, yoghurt, nuts, seeds and
freshly chopped red berries. There’s also Flint Owl
bread and local preserves. Amy makes us both a cappuccino,
and explains how the Skyhouse came into
being. She met Anita Roddick in the States twenty
years ago, and developed a interest in coming to
Sussex to create something environmentally meaningful.
After establishing a successful US mentoring
business, Amy moved to Lewes four years ago,
where she and a team created this zero carbon
house, which includes many eco features such as a
wood pellet biomass boiler, solar power and rainwater
harvesting.
Amy is happy to give guests ‘eco’ tours, but equally,
I’d recommend it as a stunning place to stay, where
you feel miles from anywhere. Emma Chaplin
Dogs welcome. For more information on rates and
availability, and a fascinating blog and video of how
the Skyhouse came to be built visit the website,
skyhousesussex.com
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