Workshop & retreat venue in Sussex 

 A place to hold space for others. 

Whether you're leading a creative workshop, wellness retreat, coaching programme, writing retreat or professional development event, the environment you choose shapes the experience you create.

At The Grain Store, we've created a workshop venue designed to inspire fresh thinking, meaningful connection and personal growth. An eco-friendly countryside retreat nestled in the South Downs National Park, it's a place where people can escape from everyday distractions, slow down and fully engage.

Conveniently located near Lewes and easily accessible from London, Brighton and across the South East, The Grain Store welcomes coaches, facilitators, writers, artists, wellbeing practitioners and organisations.

We'll help you create an experience your guests will remember long after they leave.

Seeking a distinctive workshop venue in Sussex? 

We've helped many instructors, life coaches and teacher hosts special events including:

Workshop venue for coaches, creatives & facilitators  

Create space for learning, creativity and transformation. 

The Grain Store provides an inspiring workshop venue in Sussex for masterclasses, training sessions, creative workshops, wellbeing events and community gatherings. Whether you're running a writing workshop, life coaching programme, mindfulness session or a professional development event, our flexible space adapts to your needs. 

Natural light, luxuriously comfortable interiors and access to outdoor spaces help participants feel more relaxed, present and engaged, creating the ideal environment for learning, creativity and connection. 

Perfect for: Writing workshops and creative courses / Life coaching and personal development programmes / Mindfulness, breathwork and wellbeing sessions / Professional development workshops / Community gatherings and special interest groups 

Available for full-day or multi-day hire. 

Retreat venue in Sussex near London in the South Downs  

Bring people together for a deeper, more immersive experience. 

The Grain Store also offers two and three-day retreats during weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday), with the option of overnight accommodation for up to four guests. Combining inviting indoor spaces, outdoor areas and optional wellness experiences, it's an ideal retreat venue for programmes that balance learning, reflection, connection and rejuvenation.

Whether you're hosting a writing retreat, coaching retreat, wellbeing retreat, professional development programme or creative residency, we’ll help bring your vision to life.

Explore the space

Scroll through the images below to view our indoor and outdoor spaces.

Tailor your experience

Recognising that every event is different, we offer flexible packages for independent practitioners through to established organisations and brands. 

Every booking includes everything you need for a productive and enjoyable day, including high-speed Wi-Fi, a large table and comfortable seating for up to 10 people; a flipchart with pad and marker pens; on-site parking for five cars, and refreshments including organic teas, Fairtrade coffee and filtered water. 

You can then tailor your event with a carefully curated range of optional services, including catering, event planning, marketing support, wellbeing experiences, and exclusive hire of South Downs Sauna Lewes. This flexible approach allows you to create an exceptional experience that reflects your objectives, your guests and your budget. 

  • Catering options

    Our extensive catering options include a delicious lunch, provided by top local caterers. Meal services and menus can be tailored to your specific needs and dietary requirements. 

  • Event planning

    Whether you're hosting your first workshop or your fiftieth retreat, we're here to help you create an experience that feels professional, memorable and uniquely yours. 

  • Sauna

    Our charming woodland sauna, South Downs Sauna Lewes, also offers private hire options for workshop and retreat hosts to add an enchanting sauna experience to their event programmes. 

  • Accommodation

    You can also book overnight stays in The Studio for the host or for up to four people in The Grain Store, subject to availability. 

Marketing support 

We know that filling a workshop or retreat can be just as challenging as creating a great experience. 

To help you reach the right audience, all workshop and retreat bookings receive promotion through our website and social media channels. We can also provide enhanced marketing support packages for facilitators looking for additional help with event promotion, audience growth and ticket sales. 

Think of us as more than a venue. We're here to help you create exceptional experiences from first enquiry to final guest farewell. 

FAQs

  • Peaceful, inviting and inspiringΒ - a truly special venue

    "A beautiful space, perfectly designed for a writing retreat, with places to gather together as a group, and plenty of options for writers to sit and work on their own. Great all year round, whatever the season - cosy corners in winter, and gorgeous outdoor seating in summer, all against the backdrop of stunning rolling hills. Peaceful, inviting and inspiring - a truly special venue."

    - Holly Dawson, author and Reader-in-Residence

  • The ambience is perfect

    β€œThis is an amazing meeting space with breathtaking views of rolling countryside. It’s truly a great place to hold meetings, workshops and courses. I participated in a workshop at The Grain Store during which we enjoyed the versatility of the space, from sitting in a circle, eating and cooking together. The ambience is perfect.”

    β€” Mira Patel, Prana Coaching

  • Modern and cosy

    β€œAs I drove up the lane to The Grain Store, I was struck by the quiet, the rolling green hills and the huge open sky. The internal space is modern and cosy which worked so well for our meeting. It's been designed with collaboration in mind and has multi-purpose areas, making it a very flexible space. The uniqueness for me was how The Grain Store allowed me to switch off from the city and focus entirely on the task at hand.”

    - Ayesha Murray, Executive Coachs here

  • Most days there is no better place in the world to be

    β€œHeading out onto the Downs for either a walk or a bike ride is always something to be savoured. There is something about the landscape that is always appealing. The rolling topography and views both of and from the Downs are spectacular and once you're up on the top you can go East or West for a day's excursion. Most days there is no better place in the world to be.”

    - lan Lock, Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach and Author