Maureen Rice experiences a soul-soothing break at a unique and magical woodland retreat. 

Where is it? 

Looking Glass Lodge is an award winning eco-lodge built in a natural clearing inside the Mallydams Wood Nature Reserve in Fairlight – about half way between Hastings and Rye in East Sussex.  

What’s the accommodation like? 

The Lodge was built by owners Lindsey and Rik, with help from award-winning architect Michael Kendrick and local craftsmen, as a unique and special retreat.  It’s boldly, beautiful modern, designed along Scandi-inspired lines,and  made from local cedar wood and tinted electrochromatic glass to blend organically into its woodland surroundings and blur the lines between ‘inside’ and outside’, immersing its guests in nature wherever they are. It’s so gorgeous it was featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces Tv show.  

What did you eat and drink? 

The Lodge is surrounded by great places to eat and at nearby Fairlight, arty, Bohemian Hastings or historic Rye -an i-pad loaded with guides to all the area to offer is thoughtfully provided. We ate an excellent lunch at Webbe’s fish restaurant in Rye (there is another branch in Hastings), where we shared a plate of hot, crisp arancini, olives, crunchy bread sticks and a wonderfully light, palest pink taramasalata. To follow, David chose one of the day’s specials – half a Native Lobster, simply grilled and served with a generous helping of garlic butter and chips. I had a pan-fried fillet of sea bass with a beurre-blanc sauce, shreds of lemon flesh and a selection of spring vegetables – a dish that was light and delicate but bursting with flavour. Rye Deli proved to be an excellent choice for home-made quiches and cakes, delicious salads, and local cheeses and wine to take back to the Lodge and enjoy al fresco. 

What is there to do? 

You’re surrounded by great walks and beaches, and by a thriving food, drink and arts scene. Take a bracing stroll along the cliffs for a drink or lunch at the Cove gastro pub at Fairlight, or put on your boots and enjoy miles of brilliant walks nearby Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve. Spend a morning in Rye, browsing it’s ancient cobbled streets, independent shops and historic pubs and houses, or visit the Hastings Contemporary gallery on the sea front at Hastings, then take a walk along the beach and buy freshly caught sea food from one of the fishing  huts on the Stade (Hastings has one of  Britain’s oldest fishing fleets), or sample world class fish and chips at the legendary Maggies nearby. 

What do I need to pack? 

You’ll need walking boots, to make the most of the natural beauty of the area, and beach wear to sample any of the many local beaches. We recommend bringing book, and plenty of your own provisions to maximise time at the Lodge itself – it’s very special. Otherwise, weather-appropriate casual is fine – the area has a wide range of restaurants from street food to fine dining, but the vibe is always relaxed. 

Lasting memory 

The first glimpse of the Lodge as we rounded a corner and it seemed to materialise out of thin air, surround by oak, beech, pine and giant redwood trees and  - due to its innovative design – seeming to float inside the wood itself. 

Sainsbury’s magazine insider tip 

We loved falling asleep and waking up to the rhythm of the natural light through the tinted glass walls, but if you’re very light-sensitive or fancy a lie-in, take a sleep mask.