St Benedict - Victorian Bed and Breakfast

A really nice place, absolutely love here…

What a magical place! I'm already thinking about when I can return. You could spend hours just looking at all the objects and details and that's even before you explore the garden which is a small slice of heaven. My room (the old nursery) was gorgeous, such fascinating items everywhere you look. The bed really comfy, and the bathroom clean and tidy. The fried breakfast was divine, and Paul was so welcoming and helpful. You can tell this place is a real labour of love, and I really felt so peaceful there. Thank you, I can't wait to return. Claire

What a beautiful house and gardens - full of Victorian furniture, ornaments and religious iconography. We loved the amazing attention to detail, such as the little milk jugs with fresh milk for morning tea/coffee, and the toast rack with a nightlight underneath to keep the toast warm. There was so much to take in...It's almost like staying in a museum, it's true. I love anything Victorian and of course had to read Trollope whilst there. The hosts Alexander and Paul were charming and helpful but not imposing. St Leonards itself has a faded glory and Hastings is full of history and amazing buildings in the old town. We loved the smugglers adventure, the old fishing net huts and the Victorian funicular. My husband was fascinated by the America Ground, where we had some really reasonable and tasty meals, followed by a long stroll along the promenade back to St B and the incline was certainly a challenge after a day spent walking! Rye is only half an hour away in the car and is absolutely amazing too.

As with other reviews I could enthusiastically comment on the gorgeous furniture, artwork, authentic Victorian elegance, the lovely gardens, attention to detail and much much more. For now though, I will just say that what most impressed me was the kindness, being welcomed not into a business but into a much loved home that they so graciously allow you to visit and share. I was treated as if I had been a special friend coming to visit. Time there is serene. I basked in the experience and hope to stay there again.

This is simply one of the most amazing places we have stayed. Simply wonderful. The beds were comfy and the breakfast was beautiful. The garden if you get chance is beautiful. The house is beautiful, a true labour of love.

The reviews we read before our visit meant we were keeping an open mind. Good customer service before arrival put us in the right mood as this was the start of a celebration trip. The car park at St Benedict is very small but there was plenty of street parking and it looked like a safe area, which it proved to be. The Victorian feel starts from the moment you ring the door bell and a warm welcome from Alexandr. We were checked in quickly and shown to Mr Parry's room, the only en-suite room here. We were then offered, and accepted, tea and cake in the garden. This was a quality experience that immediately had us relaxed. The house is crammed full of Victorian artefacts and they are fascinating. Much of it is religious in content and reflects the Orthadox faith followed by the hosts. Religion is not forced upon you but they do offer good tips, we were told that Ramsgate at the end of our trip had an excellent church to visit and they were right. It was nice to have time away from the TV and it was really nice having the radio on at breakfast. Breakfast is ordered the previous evening and time you want it stated. It is of very good quality and plentiful. All in all, a great place to stay, with excellent hosts and plenty to look at around the house. The main town is not too far away but the area is very hilly. Many thanks to Paul and Alexandr for making the start of our trip so special and memorable for all the right reasons.