Weekend swim retreat: Lime Cross Nursery, East Sussex

Weekend escapes with a swimming opportunity – Ella Foote shares her experience of the ÖÖD House at Lime Cross Nursery

East Sussex is an easy win for a weekend of swimming and outdoor exploring. As the days stretch and the water begins to soften from its winter lows, the county offers a compact mix of coast, countryside and characterful towns with outdoor pools, all within a short drive of one another. For swimmers, walkers and anyone happiest outside, it is a landscape that delivers variety without the need for long journeys between adventures.

Staying at Lime Cross near Herstmonceux places you in the heart of some of the South Coast’s most rewarding swim spots. The chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters and the sweeping headland at Beachy Head offer invigorating sea swims alongside classic clifftop walks. For more sheltered dips, the beaches around Eastbourne provide straightforward access and facilities, while lidos like Saltdean, Pells Pool and Sea Lanes offer swimming whatever the weather.

Inland, the rolling routes of the South Downs Way are ideal for pairing a hike or run with a swim, while historic Lewes offers independent shops and cafés for refuelling between outings. With sea, hills and market towns all within reach, a spring stay here makes it simple to shape a weekend around cold water, fresh air and good food.

The accommodation

Lime Cross Nursery has a fantastic history and family story. Today it is run by the third generation, Vicky and Helen Tate. Their grandparents moved from London to Sussex in the early 1940s and attempted to make a living from the land known today as Lime Cross Nursery. They attempted pig rearing and tobacco farming but eventually had a successful cut-flower production. In the 1970s their son, Jonathan, joined the business transforming the nursery from flower production to container grown conifers, trees and shrubs. Jonathan quickly became an expert and was a co-founding member of The British Conifer Society, discovering conifers and rescuing others from extinction.

When his daughter, Vicky, joined the business they extended the business to a garden centre, shop and café. Sadly, Jonathan died young at 63 after becoming ill with cancer and it was during this time Helen, Vicky’s sister, joined the business. Following the family attitude to expand and evolve, the sisters have been keen to keep the nursery a dynamic and inspirational place to visit. In recent years they have developed to offer events, wild swimming, retreats, wine making and three accommodation options all within a few steps to the swimming pond.

We stayed in the stunning ÖÖD House, located right on the lake where two people can sleep in a super stylish, mirrored glass cabin. The ÖÖD House has similar qualities to a luxury hotel room but right in the middle of nature. Each morning the local heron would visit, almost close enough to touch!

The swimming

This is a swimmer’s dream location to wake up. After sleeping in the cosy ÖÖD House, you can flick a switch for the black-out blinds to reveal the water within an arm’s reach. You can lazily observe the water and wildlife from the comfort of the bed, or you can slip outside and in a few steps plunge into the lake and be immersed in the landscape.

Adjacent to the glass home is a wood-fired hot tub where you can warm up after your swim. It was cold, gloomy and damp when we stayed, but it didn’t matter. The huge rain-shower wet room and bath robes are waiting inside even if outside is wild. There are nearby sea swim locations, lidos and river spots, but from the moment we arrived we didn’t want to leave. We spent most of our time in the lake, hot tub or curled up inside, just watching the pond life reveal itself.

We were also lucky enough to try out the new Secret Spa with its hot tub, Finnish sauna and access to the lake, which is available to book separately as an experience or included if you stay.

The food

The ÖÖD House is equipped with simple kitchen essentials, like an induction hob, coffee machine, kettle and toaster as well as outdoor gas BBQ. We happily made breakfast and light suppers using what was available. Within walking distance there are local pubs and a local Indian restaurant, which is highly recommended.

Best of the rest

Lime Cross Nursery has several different events throughout the year from yoga, forest bathing and retreats to more hands-on classes like wreath-making or wine education.

Our fave thing

Waking up being immersed in nature while still being in bed.