Molly Dishwasher, East Sussex
Manor Farm Stud, Frant, East Sussex
Molly Dishwasher is an enchanting hideaway for children and adults alike.
Frances & Ben visited:
Molly Dishwasher is a beautifully furnished shepherds hut with static cast iron wheels. She sits in the middle of a meadow in East Sussex surrounded by picturesque countryside, ideal for families who want to escape from it all and get re-acquainted with nature. We had such a special time there and we think other families will too.
Accommodation:
With the décor styled by its owners, sisters Mops and Issie, Molly Dishwasher provides a really lovely, chic and homely place to stay at any time of the year. It has the excitement of camping without the work that camping requires....it's always nice to know that you're guaranteed to be relaxing in comfort and warmth!
The experience of staying here is incredibly magical for youngsters. As dusk falls, light comes from torches and candles, making it cosy and very atmospheric - lovely for reading or playing a board game by lamp light.
Molly Dishwasher has a double bed and a bunk bed, perfectly accommodating a party of four. Bed guards on the bunks are provided for younger children and a travel cot can be provided for a baby. There is a little log burner keeping it toasty during cold evenings. The vintage style wooden dresser is adorned with beautiful and practical supplies: polka dot mugs, pretty napkins, cutlery, books and games. There are storage spaces to keep your belongings, and you have sole access to a section of the farm's stable block, a quick walk away, with a kitchen and bathroom, with plenty of space to keep further bags, shoes and toys if need be.
Food:
Food is a real highlight of any stay at Molly Dishwasher. Upon arrival we were delighted to find a beautiful welcome basket filled with local fudge, fairy cakes, scones, and savoury broad bean snacks.
Guests at Molly Dishwasher can pre-order handcrafted boxes of food to barbeque in a range of sizes and costs and can choose exactly what you and the family would like. An outdoor barbeque is just a few metres from the hut next to the bunting-decorated shelter for the family to enjoy dining alfresco or if you don't want to brave the weather, a large dining table sits in the kitchen.
The morning breakfast - brought to the door at a time of your choosing between 7 and 9am - is locally sourced and is absolutely divine: fresh eggs from the farm's own chickens, fresh bread, tomatoes, bacon, sausages and mushrooms. Hot tea and freshly brewed coffee wakes the grown ups up, and there are further food options if you prefer a continental style breakfast of croissants and pastries. Also juice is provided for children and adults alike - we recommend the pear juice which was delicious!
Molly is fully set up for self-catering, with a fridge, oven and hob, so if you prefer to bring your own food this is absolutely fine and you have full reign of the kitchen.
Activities and Nearby Attractions:
The setting of Molly Dishwasher provides a perfect place for children to have an adventure. They will love waking up in the hut to peek out to the sight of the race horses and the deer nearby, and the sprawling green countryside. The large surrounding field is a lovely place for children to play, and with 70 acres nearby, the whole family can go walking, spot wildlife or play at making camps out of wood together. A nature quiz and discovery trail are provided, giving a starting point to adventures for young ones. And piglets are due to arrive later in 2012!
East Sussex is a fabulous area for families to holiday in. The beautiful Hever Castle with its maze and gardens is a popular family attraction and is a short drive away, as is the National Trust's Bodiam Castle. Groombridge Place Gardens is family friendly, and Bedgebury National Pinetum is also fantastic for children. Don't forget visits to the coast - Brighton is only a 40 minute drive away.
Extras:
Wellies for all the family are provided free of charge. The kitchen is fully equipped with crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils. The bathroom has hand soap and a fabulous power shower. Towels are provided. Bicycles can be hired for a small charge, and you can order a newspaper to arrive with breakfast at a small cost too.
Practicalities:
There is some mobile reception if you need it, although we guarantee that as it feels a million miles away from the stresses of daily life, it will make you feel like switching off your phone and relaxing with the kids! Practicalities wise, it's good to be aware that there isn't a bath, just a shower. For families staying in colder months who will want to use the wonderful log burner, prepare for keeping wandering toddlers away from it - with it being a small hut, a full fireguard is not possible. You need to bring your own toiletries for the bathroom, as you would with a holiday house or camping. Babies' bottles can be heated up by the owners. Mops and Issie are very welcoming and encourage you to ask if you need anything. They are also happy to pick you up at Frant station in case you choose to leave the car at home and travel by train.
Final thoughts:
Molly Dishwasher is a beautiful name for a beautiful place. The description of "camping meets boutique hotel" is absolutely correct: the joys of being amongst nature, and the comfort of hotel, are combined and it's a delight. It's absolutely somewhere we want to return to. Being at Molly Dishwasher really gives you the time to stop and talk and appreciate life, and play with your children. Make sure you go exploring, enjoy the fresh air, indulge in a barbeque and take as many photos as possible of your children having the time of their lives.