St Benedict is a beautiful and comfortable home dating to 1881, and is finished and run with the style and comfort of a bygone age: the late 19th century, when the house (and the surrounding streets) was built. St.Leonards was a stylish and select resort at that time, attracting wealthy people to the fresh air of the south coast. All the antique decoration, furnishings and fittings are in the period of the late 19th century, with every detail attended to.
On arrival our guests may take tea on the lawn where a cloth is laid with fine china and home baking straight from the Aga or in the winter sit in the drawing room in front of a roaring fire. If you wish you can arrange to have a full dinner in the Victorian dining room with a choice of traditional recipes prepared 'below stairs'.
A lavish breakfast is served country house style in our atmospheric Dining Room. You can help yourself to a full English cooked breakfast with fruits and cereals.
We have five bedrooms that can be booked for residential stays. Our best room is 'Mr Parry's Suite overlooking sea and garden, with a 4 poster double bed, a separate dressing room and en suite shower room. There are 3 comfortable and well appointed double rooms (2 with with sea views) all well furnished in period and with their own individual style. An additional room with twin beds can be also booked. Each guest room has its own private bathroom with sink or washstand, a rolltop bath. There is no shower in these bathrooms, which retain their late 19th century atmosphere with antique fixtures and fittings.
Before you leave why not enjoy a stroll through the large garden with peach house and long glasshouse, or sit in the summer house or even have a few minutes' quiet in the beautifully decorated garden chapel.
We will do our best to make your visit to St Benedict an opportunity for you to be well looked after and even spoilt a little in a home that has been described as a 'living museum'.
Check in: 14:00 (2:00pm) - 22:00 (10:00pm) (arrivals may be allowed outside this window if your travel plans can't be adjusted however this is subject to availability)
Check out: Before 11:00 (11:00am)
