About

Visit England Five Star Self-Catering and Gold Awards

Quality in Tourism Five Star Gold Award

Quality in Tourism Safe Legal Clean award

Quality in Tourism ‘GREAT 4 DARK SKY WATCHERS’ award

Prime position in the Rother Wine Triangle

 

Welcome to Benchwood House, the only Visit England independently accredited, five star and gold, self-catering accommodation in Hastings, East Sussex.

Situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in the small village of Guestling, it is ideally positioned between the popular towns of Hastings (6 miles away) and Rye (7 miles away).

Once a stable block, Benchwood House is now a two-storey, custom-built, modern, two bedroom, rural, self-catering accommodation.

Whether you're a solo traveller, a couple seeking the privacy of your own home away from the crowds, or a group of friends and family looking to create lasting memories together, Benchwood House has everything you need.

Its comfortable and secluded setting ensures you can relax and unwind in privacy.

Benchwood House is the perfect getaway for nature lovers, adventure-seekers, wildlife enthusiasts and oenophiles.

Celebrating its GREAT 4 DARK SKY WATCHERS Quality in Tourism award, Benchwood House’s unique woodland setting invites astrophiles to unwind beneath some of the clearest skies around.

It is tucked away in an ancient woodland clearing, with panoramic unspoilt countryside views, adjacent to an 18th century pond, used historically for iron ore mining, and is surrounded by eight beaches, with the quiet beaches of Pett Level and Winchelsea just 4.3 miles away.

With its easy access to the seaside and nearby tourist destinations, it offers the ideal base to explore and enjoy the beauty of the region, and experience exciting and varied adventures, to make your stay a memorable one.

In 2022, Sussex wine gained Protected Designation of Origin status, and is often hailed as the heartland of English winemaking.

It is home to a remarkable concentration of vineyards and producers — contributing around a quarter of the country’s total wine output.

And tucked among Rye, Hastings, and Robertsbridge lies a SPARKLING secret: the Rother Wine Triangle — a cluster of six (initially seven) vineyards that are transforming this corner of East Sussex into one of England’s most exciting wine destinations.

And Benchwood House enjoys a prime spot in the Rother Wine Triangle, making it effortless to journey among the estates from your doorstep, sample their distinctive wines, and learn about their amazing history.

Just a short drive away, the picturesque medieval town of Rye enchants visitors with its cobbled streets, tales of smugglers, and the treasured Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

Nearby Hastings, also known as '1066 Country' for the Battle of Hastings, is equally captivating, celebrated for its charming Old Town, eclectic shops, cosy cafés, vibrant restaurants and arts scene, and its blend of seaside attractions and historic promenades.