Wealden Times | WT260 | January 2024 | Good Living Supplement inside

This page: A library wall wraps around the ground floor roundel bedroom in the oast house,
whilst a spacious contemporary bathroom fits into the space above
single tree, felled locally and milled by
us to get the sizes we need.” The tree
house construction was all done by a
single local carpenter who was assisted by
Ian. It’s the same design as the previous
two, bar a few minor adjustments, the
addition of a second bedroom and higher
stilts. The tree houses themselves are all
built along an ancient tree line which
has been present for over 600 years
and can be seen on several maps inside.
Ian says, “We hope that by putting
these tree houses here [in the treeline]
it will help preserve it for the future.”
In recognition of their commitment in
working with their natural environment
Fair Oak Farm received an award from
National Geographic for ‘Unique Lodges
of the World’. To Ian and Penny it
was more important than all the other
accolades, “It meant more to us because
they got what we’re doing here.”
Climbing up the steps to the viewing
platform outside the higher stilts offer
some great views across the fields,
hedgerows and copses that make up this
area. Inside, the accommodation is five
star. The balcony opens into the main
bedroom which enjoys the same fabulous
views and, behind the giant bed, a curved
partition separates the galley kitchen
and en suite, while turning à droite
reveals another bedroom set in a circular
annexe and accessed via a set of stairs.
Heading back outside, Ian pauses before
we leave, adjusting the towels on the bed
after spotting that one is the incorrect
shade of green. “I’ve told housekeeping
about this.” He’s a details man.
Address Book:
For more information about
hosting a retreat at Fair Oak
Farm, see fairoakfarm.co.uk.
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