Crafted at Powdermills is one of the most interesting new openings on the horizon for UK planners, and the micebook team had the advantage of seeing it early during our recent team offsite – and it will also host our Corporate Connect event later this year. The venue will officially open this month, November 2025, and is already showing real promise for groups that want something different to the standard hotel footprint.
The first thing planners will notice is the setting. Powdermills has a calm, spacious feel, thanks to the original mill buildings and the surrounding landscape. It is a venue that gives you room to work without feeling too remote. There are woodland trails that are easy to use for morning walks or wellbeing sessions, plus a natural lake that allows wild swimming. The site is building out proper thermal experiences too, including ice baths and saunas, which opens the door for purposeful wellbeing breaks during meetings or incentive-style programmes.

The bedrooms follow the same thoughtful design approach as the rest of the venue. Neutral tones, soft textures and simple, well-made furnishings give them a calm feel that suits the countryside environment. The rooms are comfortable, practical and consistent, with good lighting, strong showers and enough workspace for anyone who needs to catch up on emails.
Meeting spaces are flexible and practical. During our visit, we toured a mix of rooms that give planners plenty of choice depending on the style of programme. Inside, the design approach is very clear and very consistent. The venue has put genuine effort into its interiors, and it shows. There is artwork everywhere you look, including hand-painted ceilings that immediately give the spaces a sense of character. There are smaller, cosy meeting spaces suited to leadership groups or focused breakouts, plus a stunning lounge area with a fireplace and relaxed seating that works well for informal sessions or social time. We ended up using it after dinner for games, which gave us a good sense of how naturally the space supports downtime as well as work.
There is also a traditional English pub on site, which adds another option for evening networking or casual team activities. The main dining room is a standout too. It is light, fresh and airy, and has the kind of atmosphere that keeps people engaged rather than drained. For planners building multi-part agendas, the variety across the venue means you can shift the tone of the day without moving delegates long distances or breaking the flow.

Food also deserves a mention. A large portion of the produce is grown on site, which means the menus lean naturally into fresh, local and genuinely seasonal dishes. It is simple in the best way. Nothing heavy, nothing that slows people down, just well thought out plates that keep delegates fuelled and focused. The culinary team has a clear identity, and it shows in the way they build flavour without overcomplicating things. It works well for leadership offsites, creative teams and groups that prefer a more intentional approach to hospitality. For planners who want a venue with strong creative identity, proper outdoor space and meeting rooms that actually support how teams work, Crafted at Powdermills is one to keep firmly on your radar.