Meet the team at The Grain Store Lewes
A dedicated team with a shared love of this place and the landscape around it.
The Grain Store is shaped as much by its people as its setting. Led by creator Anni Townend, our small team shares a passion for nature, thoughtful hospitality and the pleasure of bringing people together. We strive to provide a friendly, professional and collaborative experience for all our guests, partners, and suppliers - and each other.
From welcoming guests and caring for the gardens to creating new experiences and support services for business hire and events, the aim is the same: to make everyone who comes here feel genuinely welcome and able to make the space their own.
Meet the team
Anni Townend
Creator of The Grain Store Lewes
The creation of The Grain Store Lewes is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Anni. Having fallen in love with the South Downs National Park where she lives, Anni’s vision was to create a beautiful and welcoming place where people could stay, gather and connect, drawing on the restorative energy of the Downs.
Anni is passionate about collaboration and the environment, championing local partnerships in the East Sussex community and working with local and eco-friendly suppliers wherever possible.
She also provides expert support for business leaders who host executive team strategy meetings at The Grain Store, bringing her experience as an executive leadership coach to facilitate meaningful conversations, encourage fresh thinking and help teams navigate important discussions and decisions.
Simone Thorn
House Manager
Simone is at the heart of the guest experience at The Grain Store, making sure everything is ready for your arrival and helping guests feel at home throughout their stay.
A qualified Forest School Leader with a love of nature and the outdoors, Simone has a deep knowledge of the surrounding countryside and is always happy to share her local recommendations.
Simone also manages South Downs Sauna at The Grain Store and is a qualified sauna operator. Alongside running Finnish-style sauna sessions, she offers authentic treatments, including whisking, bringing another dimension to the restorative experience of spending time surrounded by nature.
Sam Porter-Hardy
Landscape Gardener
Sam has always had a passion for nature. Growing up in the East Anglian countryside, he spent as much time as he could outdoors, getting his hands in the soil before learning the skills of his trade and creating his celebrated local business, Porter-Hardy Landscapes Ltd.
Sam believes gardens should be not only beautiful, but thoughtful, functional and made to be enjoyed. Working alongside Oisin and Louis, he brings that combination of creativity, expertise and care to The Grain Store, thoughtfully shaping and tending the gardens to create the serene outdoor spaces our guests enjoy today.
