When you step into a Farmstead Lodge, a sense of tranquillity descends. Everything from the surrounding birdsong and lush green fields, to the cosy blankets and copper bathtub, forces you to switch off.
This is exactly what owners Ali and Sian Kerr were hoping for when they designed eight self-catered, luxury lodges in the quaint village of Easton.
Opened in 2022, they've been attracting a broad spectrum of guests ever since, including city dwellers looking for a countryside break and families seeking a nature-based staycation.
'It's really important for us to make sure people are comfortable and have a chance to disconnect from busy digital lives and reconnect to countryside,' says Ali.
Farmstead Lodges is the latest business venture for Ali and Sian, owners of nearby Easton Grange, a premier wedding venue, Snooty Goose, its catering operation, and Alterra Farms. They are also custodians of the village pub, the Easton White Horse.
Life is not exactly quiet for the couple, who juggle their businesses with bringing up their three young children, Poppy, Freddie and Bluebell, plus looking after two dogs, two cats, a turtle and a hamster.
It is with their children’s future in mind that they try to ensure all their businesses are environmentally friendly and sustainable, particularly the Farmstead Lodges.
Ali and Sian made eco-conscious decisions at every stage of the design and build, from the materials used externally to the specially selected interiors. Suffolk-based builders used reclaimed scaffolding boards and other reclaimed materials inside and out. Sian worked with interior designer Angie Ashby-Hoare to get the right style for the cabins, which look both rustic and authentic, yet modern and chic.
Sian and Angie spent six months visiting boutiques, local craftspeople, charity shops and antique markets to find paintings, furniture, upholstery and appliances. The attention to detail is phenomenal, with the eco-friendly aspect incorporated in a subtle way.
The whole site around the lodges was rewilded, and a wild flower walk leading to the Easton White Horse a mile away was created to give guests a picturesque route to reach the village on foot.
'I’m acutely aware that with our three young children, we have to do the right thing for the world so that it's not a disaster zone when they have kids,' says Sian. 'All the water from the lodges comes from a borehole on the farm, and there is very little plastic on site at the Grange and in the lodges. We're passionate about recycling and food miles, and always try to go local for the products we choose, including the goods in the welcome pack.
'We've used local suppliers as much as possible, such as sofas handmade in Debenham and sheepskin rugs from local farms. I had a clear vision of how I wanted the lodges to look, which Ali shared. It's been a labour of love.'
Ali hails from a family of farmers and this intrinsic link to rural life can be seen in all their ventures. His grandfather left Scotland in 1938 to set up a farming business at Letheringham, near Wickham Market, and he soon adopted Suffolk as home. Ali’s father, John Kerr, sometime chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club and a well-known farmer, further grew the family business when he bought a run-down dairy farm in Easton in 1989.
John turned it into a working farm, repairing the buildings on site and keeping them in good condition. Years later in 2012, Ali, whose background is in property development, took over the family’s business and came up with the idea of creating a wedding venue on the site. By this time, he was with Sian, who left her management consultancy job and home in London to move to Suffolk.
Together Ali and Sian make a formidable partnership, bringing a combination of skills, business acumen, a drive for perfection and a passion for the environment.
While Farmstead Lodges encourages guests to indulge in slow living, it seems Ali and Sian are still firmly in the fast lane. Earlier this year, they brought in a new managing director, Rosie Richardson, to oversee their businesses.
Rosie’s background is in commercial sales and she previously worked at the East Anglian Daily Times newspaper. She went on to work at Ipswich Town Football Club where she remained for nearly 23 years. Rosie was the mastermind behind the highly successful deal which saw Ed Sheeran become the team’s shirt sponsor, amongst securing other high profile commercial agreements and events at Portman Road.
'I’m the first managing director they've hired and it’s my role to take Ali and Sian’s businesses to the next level,' she says. 'This is a very unique and special place, and it’s lovely to be involved in something so significant. It’s a privilege to work here.'
My tranquil stay at Farmstead Lodges
Life seems constantly busy these days, with work and children occupying my head for much of it, so I had been looking forward to having a bit of time to myself. When I entered the warm lodge on a rainy chilly afternoon, I immediately felt calm.
There was the distant sound of classical music on the radio, the lights were dimmed low, and the cabin felt rustic yet luxurious. The welcome pack is the best I’ve seen; freshly made bread from a local bakery, Bungay butter, the most divine brownies and a bottle of red wine. If heaven was a place on earth, I had reached it in that moment.
My two-bedroom, spacious lodge featured a Smart TV and had wi-fi access, but I tried to detach and detox from electronics. While it was a little too cold to consider the outdoor bath on my veranda, the copper bath in my room was incredibly inviting so I indulged in a long soak.
Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen, with all the utensils you need to make a decent meal. Although nearby Easton White Horse is very accessible via the wildflower path, I decided to stay in for dinner to get the most out of my stay. Curling up under a blanket with a good book and watching the flames flicker in the log burner was the perfect way to end the evening.
I couldn’t wait for a good night’s sleep without interruption and the bed did not disappoint. I was awoken from my slumber by the beautiful sound of birdsong and felt truly relaxed.
Before it was time to leave my peaceful sanctuary, I spent some time on the veranda, admiring the beautiful Suffolk countryside, sitting alongside the River Deben. I'm determined to return to stay again when I next need to switch off from it all.
Naomi was a guest at Farmstead Lodges. There is a 2-night minimum stay; prices start from £520 for two nights. One and two bedroom cabins are available. Children and dogs are welcome.
To book visit farmsteadlodges.co.uk
