Restaries is, by definition, a luxury farm stay - but in reality, it’s something much more personal. It’s a thoughtfully curated retreat in the heart of Suffolk, designed to help guests unwind from the demands of daily life. Our ethos is rooted in warm, Everything we do here is built on friends-and-family-style hospitality. We welcome every guest as we would those closest to us, creating an experience that feels bespoke and personal.

Because we’re small by design, we’re able to offer highly personalised stays. Whether someone is visiting for a solo writing retreat or planning a multigenerational holiday with up to 30 guests, we shape every detail around their needs. With six distinctive types of accommodation set across 12 acres of rewilded natural landscape - complete with animals, swimming pools, hot tubs, and a fully equipped commercial kitchen. We can deliver everything from intimate woodland dinners with a private chef to full fire-cooked banquets. Restaries is not just a place to stay; it’s a place to reconnect, reset, and restore.

We both come from fashion. We met during the Topshop glory days - the Kate Moss era - and instantly clicked. Gem went on to Soho House, where she famously became the gatekeeper during its most exclusive years, and I continued in menswear, eventually becoming Head of Menswear at Browns and Farfetch. Our experience in fashion gave us a deep appreciation for style, curation, and guest experience - all of which now inform how we run Restaries.

Honestly, we had no connection to Suffolk before Restaries. We were looking for a home within two hours of London, in any direction. It was Paradise Farm that changed everything - it was the spark. The moment we drove through the gates, we just knew how special it was. It sounds cliché, but we felt it immediately.

Suffolk itself has been the most wonderful surprise. We’d underestimated everything - the food scene, the creativity, the warmth of the community. Every week we’re discovering new local gems. It’s also a place with a quietly radical history, rooted in nature, creativity, and open-mindedness. It feels different from other ex-London enclaves - more grounded, more authentic. We feel incredibly lucky to have landed here.

Initially, the plan was simply to live at Paradise Farm and perhaps rent out one of the outbuildings to help with costs. But when our professional circumstances changed, we had the opportunity to reinvest in a different kind of future - one that we could build together.

With that, we pivoted entirely and decided to create something ambitious and heartfelt: a fully-fledged luxury farm stay business with a clear identity and a soulful personality. Restaries was born from that leap - a way of life that’s also a full-time venture for both of us.

As anyone who’s started their own business will tell you, it’s the hardest job you’ll ever have. You work every hour of every day, often doing things you’ve never been trained to do, learning as you go. At the same time, we were raising two small children, moving house, changing careers, and trying to run a 12-acre estate. So yes - plenty of challenges!

But our greatest asset was probably our own naivety. If we’d known how hard it would be, we might never have done it. Yet that’s often the case with passion-led projects. You leap first, and then you figure it out. Every challenge has shaped what Restaries is today.

It was genuinely incredible. Rows and rows of highly skilled seamstresses, cutters, and garment technicians—all working in unison. The craftsmanship was world-class.

With my background, I’ve visited factories across the spectrum - from high street manufacturers in the Far East to the ateliers of Loro Piana and Fendi in Tuscany - and I can say with full confidence that Lavenham holds its own among the luxury elite. The attention to detail, the multi-layered quality control process, and the pride in every stitch - it’s rare to see such dedication, especially on British soil. It was a privilege to witness it first hand.

Our relationship with clothing has changed drastically since moving to the farm. At Browns, I had a generous designer allowance - so both Gem and I were often head-to-toe in luxury labels. But as soon as we landed in Suffolk, reality hit. Nobody cares if you’re wearing a Prada shirt to the village pub. And you definitely don’t need Gucci sandals when you’re mucking out animals!

Now, everything we wear has to be practical, durable, and hard-wearing. We’ve swapped Comme des Garçons for Carhartt, and we live in a daily uniform of pieces that work as hard as we do.

What we love about Lavenham is the brand’s clarity. Too many labels try to be everything to everyone. Lavenham knows exactly what it does best - and it does it with unmatched excellence. It’s rooted in British heritage, designed for real life, and still manages to feel incredibly stylish. For us, that combination - authenticity, quality, and relevance - made Lavenham the perfect partner for our farm uniforms. We’re proud to champion a brand with such integrity.

So far, we’ve focused on perfecting our accommodation - from interior design and bedding to bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor spaces. We wanted every detail to feel elevated and considered. Now that we’ve achieved that, our focus is shifting to the out-of-room experience.

2026 will be a big year for us. We’re introducing natural swimming pools, outdoor saunas, a spa, a cold plunge, and a new restaurant concept. We want guests to stay longer, feel more nourished, and immerse themselves in a slower, more intentional way of life.

We’ll also be adding new animals, new dining areas, and rewilding more of the land to deepen the sense of connection to nature. At Restaries, we believe in moving in lockstep with the seasons, the land, and the people who visit. It’s all part of the journey.

Website: https://www.restaries.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaries/?hl=en