YOUR LOCATION INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING
YOUR LOCATION
🌿 A PLACE TO SLOW DOWN, RECONNECT AND BREATHE
Benchwood House — a private woodland retreat in the heart of the High Weald
Some places are simply somewhere to stay. Others offer something much more valuable, the opportunity to pause, reconnect and enjoy time away from the pace of everyday life.
Independently accredited by VisitEngland with Five-Star and Gold Awards, Benchwood House is a two-bedroom secluded self-catering retreat nestled within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in East Sussex, close to Winchelsea, Rye, and Camber Sands.
🏡 CREATED FOR MEANINGFUL STAYS
Surrounded by ancient woodland, open countryside and the peaceful rhythms of nature, Benchwood House provides the ideal environment for your stay, whether you are seeking a private escape, uninterrupted time with family and friends, inspiration for creative work, or simply a place to step away from the demands of everyday living.
Originally a stable block, Benchwood House has been transformed for those who value privacy, tranquillity, thoughtful design and exceptional surroundings.
You can settle in, feel at ease instantly, and enjoy the freedom of having a private retreat entirely to yourself.
If you work remotely, you can find inspiration and focus in a calm natural environment, combining the flexibility of working away with the benefits of fresh air, space and a change of scenery.
For those who appreciate craftsmanship, beautiful interiors and the quiet luxury of being surrounded by nature, Benchwood House offers a retreat where you can relax, reflect and feel at ease.
🌳 SURROUNDED BY NATURE
Set within an ancient woodland clearing, Benchwood House is immersed in the sights and sounds of the natural world.
You can enjoy panoramic countryside views, watch wildlife moving through the woodland, and experience the changing seasons from the comfort and privacy of your retreat.
The house overlooks an 18th-century pond, originally associated with local iron ore mining, which has now become a haven for wildlife and a defining feature of the surrounding landscape.
Here, you can enjoy a rare sense of tranquillity while remaining within easy reach of East Sussex’s coastline, historic towns, exceptional dining and local experiences.
🌅 TIME TO EXPLORE OR SIMPLY BE
Your time at Benchwood House can unfold at your own pace.
Begin the morning with birdsong and a woodland walk right from your doorstep.
Feel the sea air along the nearby coastline.
Explore historic towns and villages, discover local vineyards, or simply relax and enjoy the peace of your surroundings.
You may choose coastal adventures, countryside trails and days filled with exploration.
Or perhaps your perfect stay is slower, a quiet breakfast, a good book, watching wildlife from the garden, or enjoying private time together.
Whether you seek adventure or reflection, Benchwood House gives you the freedom to create the experience that feels right for you.
🌊 COAST, CULTURE AND COUNTRYSIDE
From its peaceful woodland setting, Benchwood House provides an ideal base for discovering the beauty, history and character of East Sussex.
Explore Rye’s medieval streets, independent shops, galleries and historic inns.
Discover Hastings Old Town, coastal walks and cultural landmarks.
Wander along the shores of Pett Level, Winchelsea and Camber, or explore the countryside trails and nature reserves that surround the High Weald.
The region is also a destination for food and wine lovers, with award-winning vineyards in the Rother Wine Triangle, Michelin-guide restaurants, welcoming pubs and local producers offering memorable experiences throughout the year.
✨ NIGHTS UNDER DARK SKIES
As evening arrives, Benchwood House reveals another of its unique qualities, the opportunity to experience true darkness and tranquillity.
Recognised with the GREAT 4 Dark Sky Watchers 2024-2025 Quality in Tourism Award, the surrounding area offers exceptional opportunities for enjoying the night sky.
Step outside, listen to the woodland, and experience the beauty of a landscape away from the noise and light of the city.
🌿 A PLACE FOR LASTING MEMORIES
Benchwood House is more than a place to stay. It is a space designed for meaningful moments, slow mornings, shared meals, coastal walks, peaceful evenings and time spent together.
A place to pause.
A place to reconnect.
A place to breathe.
Discover Benchwood House and experience the wonder, beauty and character of East Sussex.
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.
