Our Story

My name is Beckie West, and after 23 wonderful years as a qualified florist, I decided to hang up my scissors and dedicate my time to this exciting new venture.

I am a proud mum of four children. My twin boys, Bradley and Finlay, are now in their late twenties, and I also have William and Jenna, whom I share with my husband, Steve. William has now left school and works alongside Steve on the family farm, while Jenna is preparing to begin her final year of secondary school this autumn 2026.

Steve is a third-generation farmer and runs our working family arable farm alongside his dad, brother and two farm workers. Together, we farm 1,500 acres, growing wheat, barley, oats, oilseed rape and grass, while also caring for our small beef herd. This year has been especially rewarding as William has joined the family business, working alongside his dad and becoming part of the next generation helping to shape the future of the farm. Jenna and I share a love of rabbits and still enjoy spending time with our much-loved Mini Lop bunnies.

It was on the day Jenna was born that Steve said to me, “Now you need to think of an enterprise for you and our daughter on the farm.” It was then that the dream of creating our holiday pods first began to take shape, and planning permission was finally granted in February 2022.

Jenna has become my little right-hand helper at Hillcroft Farm Pods, assisting with cleaning and guest changeovers and helping to ensure each pod is spotless and ready to welcome new guests. William lends a hand by topping up the log bins, while my husband, Steve, keeps the grounds looking their best by mowing the grass and taking care of any maintenance jobs that need doing.

What started as an idea has grown into something very special. I have been overwhelmed by the support we have received and feel incredibly proud of the success of Hillcroft Farm Pods. Welcoming guests and sharing this beautiful corner of the countryside has brought me so much joy, and I feel very fortunate to have taken the leap and turned a dream into reality.

I have lived in Crowhurst for most of my life. It was the place I called home as a child, growing up on a smallholding surrounded by horses, sheep, chickens, geese, dogs, cats and, of course, bunnies. I also attended the village primary school, which William and Jenna later attended too.

I feel incredibly blessed to be back in the village where I grew up. I love life here on the farm and the beautiful surroundings, which I never take for granted. It brings me great happiness to share a little piece of this special place with our guests, and I am truly grateful that Hillcroft Farm Pods has been embraced so warmly.

I hope that during your stay, you experience the same peace, beauty and sense of home that we cherish every day. 

Rebekah West