YOUR LOCATION AND SETTING
Benchwood House is the only VisitEngland independently accredited, five-star and gold luxury self-catering accommodation in Hastings, East Sussex, situated in the quaint village of Guestling, and near the towns of Winchelsea, and Rye.
Once a stable block, Benchwood House has been transformed into a bespoke, modern, two-storey home with two bedrooms, combining rural charm with contemporary comfort.
It offers a premium base for coast, culture, and cuisine, with easy access to beaches, historic towns, Michelin-recognised restaurants, and the Rother Wine Triangle, making it ideal for guests looking to explore East Sussex while enjoying high-quality accommodation in a unique natural setting.
Guests also have easy access to eight nearby beaches, including the quiet and scenic shores of Pett Level and Winchelsea, just 4.3 miles away.
Nestled in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Benchwood House is set within an ancient woodland clearing, home to abundant wildlife, and offers panoramic, unspoilt countryside views, with an adjacent 18th-century pond once used for iron ore mining.
A HOME WITH WARMTH COMFORT AND CHARM FOR EVERY GUEST
Whether you are a solo traveller seeking reflection, a couple enjoying privacy, a group of friends or family creating lasting memories, or someone on a workcation, Benchwood House offers a comfortable and inspiring stay.
The property also invites those drawn to nature and wildlife, adventure, and exploration.
Astrophiles can spend the evening stargazing beneath some of the clearest skies in the region (British weather permitting), a setting celebrated with the GREAT 4 DARK SKY WATCHERS 2024–2025 Quality in Tourism award.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
The area around Benchwood House offers something for every taste. Explore the medieval charm of Rye with its cobbled streets, historic inns, and galleries, or visit Hastings for its Old Town, coastal walks, and cultural attractions.
Heritage enthusiasts will enjoy opportunities to explore various National Trust historic sites.
Nature lovers can wander Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve, Alexandra Park, or nearby woodland trails, while food and wine enthusiasts can visit award-winning vineyards in the Rother Wine Triangle and sample great local cuisine from Michelin-listed restaurants, cosy pubs, and cafés.
THE PERFECT BASE FOR EXPLORATION
Benchwood House serves as an ideal base to explore the High Weald AONB, enjoy new adventures, and create lasting memories while relaxing and indulging in the local offerings.
Its woodland setting, modern comforts, and proximity to beaches, historic towns, and food destinations will make your stay truly memorable.
Explore our website to learn more about Benchwood House and the many wonders of the High Weald right on our doorstep.
YOUR INDOOR LIVING
WINDOW SEAT
Framed by a picture window, the High Weald landscape draws you in as you enter Benchwood House.
The comfortable window seat is the perfect spot to get cosy, relax, and unwind while watching wildlife roam across the open landscape and birds land in plain view, all beneath the sun’s path across the sky.
KITCHEN / DINER
The ground floor is open plan and is a sociable space for dining, group entertainment, and individual relaxation.
To the far left, the kitchen is equipped with a 4 slice toaster, kettle, microwave, espresso machine, smokeless electric griddle/sandwich/panini maker, Hob2hood automatic cooker hood, gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher, undercounter fridge/freezer.
The kitchen/diner seats six and the tableware is stored in a cupboard near the dining table, for you to enjoy meals together in comfort.
CLOAKROOM
A cloakroom is conveniently located off the kitchen and a washer/dryer is in a separate utility room with the Wi-Fi hub.
LIVING ROOM
To the far right, the boating pond is captured within another picture window in the cosy lounge area with comfortable sofas, a Smart TV, and DVD player.
The wood burner creates restful warmth and complements the underfloor heating for cooler months.
STAIRCASE
A spiral staircase leads you up to the first floor where there is a hallway, a super king size master bedroom, and a king size bedroom, and the whirlpool bath, spa, master bathroom.
SUPER KING MASTER BEDROOM
Each bedroom accommodates two people, and both bedrooms have dual aspect windows with uninterrupted southern views over the panoramic landscape.
There is ample storage space, bedside tables with USB charging sockets, push style wall-mounted, adjustable reading lights, comfortable seating with ambient lighting, dressing tables with wall-mounted and handheld magnifying mirrors, hairdryers and curling tong mats, and luggage racks.
Get comfy in beds with silk, pillow top, 10 inch mattresses with 1000 pocket springs, and nestle in 100 per cent cotton bed linens, which received Royal Warrants of Appointment.
KING SECOND BEDROOM
This second bedroom is smaller in size with a king size bed, with the same standard as the master bedroom, with a cupboard to store your travel bags.
READING NOOK
The master bedroom also has a comfortable sofa, tucked away in a cosy alcove, which is ideal for reading or relaxation.
MASTER BATHROOM
Both bedrooms share the Jack and Jill en-suite bathroom with a WC, a double basin vanity unit, heated towel rails, a chest of drawers with bathroom linens and essentials.
The LED hands-free sensor mirror has a razor socket and pipes music via Bluetooth while you relax in the Whirlpool spa bath or enjoy a rainfall shower.
YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING
WEST PATIO
The western side of the patio has a rustic table with benches, a parasol, and a fire pit.
EAST PATIO
The eastern side of the patio is furnished with a COBB barbecue station, a cupboard with utensils, charcoal and briquette, a rolling cooler cart, and bench.
TREE PLATFORM
There is a deck nestled around an ancient oak tree, ideal for socialising and wildlife watching.
SUN DECK
Our garden sun deck is another seating area for you to unwind and relax, and provides ample shelter from the sun.
SWING SEAT
A swing seat provides an opportunity to relax under the shade of another ancient oak tree.
ADJACENT WOOD ALONG ANCIENT WOODLAND SHAW
There is an ancient wood adjacent to the shaw, which bursts into bloom in spring with a sea of bluebells and wood anemone.
FIREPIT
As the evening draws in, the seating around the fire pit on the circular patio, is ideal for hanging out under the clear night sky.
And as the embers die out and the lights are off, the night comes alive for astrophiles because the High Weald has some of the darkest skies in the South East.
The area was identified as worthy of conservation by the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA).
And Benchwood House earned a GREAT 4 DARK SKY WATCHERS 2024–2025 Quality in Tourism award.
WOODLAND COSY CABIN
There is a cosy, fully kitted out, woodland cabin, the perfect snug for music, drinks, and laughter.
It is also an ideal space to catch up on work during your stay.
It is heated with an infrared mirror and fan heater during winter and spring, and cooled for summer and autumn with air vents, fans, and a screen door to allow fresh air in while working or having fun.
WOODLAND COSY CABIN / BICYCLE SHELTER
A cycle shelter is attached to the woodland cabin, and a maximum of four bikes can be parked on the floor rack stand.
AQUA CYCLE PONTOON PEDAL BOAT
For a truly unique experience, enjoy a ride around the pond on the Aqua Cycle pontoon pedal boat, for a fun and entertaining way to exercise.
And we will be more than happy to show you how to operate the boat to get you started, if you have never used one, weather permitting.
MALLARDS ON BRANCHES IN THE POND
You may spot birds nesting in the tree canopies, our moorhens and chicks hidden on banks around the pond, and see ducks sleeping on branches.
