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Tucked away near Haslemere, not far from Goodwood, adults only Kingsley House is far more than a B&B. With three beautifully designed bedrooms available for individual stays, or six if taken exclusively, it feels closer to a private boutique hotel than a traditional bed and breakfast. Quiet, polished and deeply personal, it is one of those places which immediately resets your pace.
On arrival, the fire is already lit and fresh flowers scent the house. Shoulders drop. It feels like coming home, albeit a far more stylish and considered version. Duncan and Craig have poured their hearts into this brand new countryside escape, and it shows in every detail.
Marble bathrooms gleam with heated towel rails, full size Listerine, stacks of flannels and thick monogrammed towels. Lights respond as you enter. Blinds close at the touch of a button. Beds are generous and come with a proper pillow menu and duvet protectors, a detail you did not know you needed until now.
Despite the house having multiple rooms, privacy is cleverly designed in. Unless you take Kingsley House exclusively, each bedroom is separated from the next by another space, meaning you hear no noise from fellow guests. There is also a secret additional bathroom tucked off the landing, complete with a roll top bath and shelves lined with Craig’s books.
You simply ask Duncan if you fancy a soak. Head upstairs via the pink staircase and the striking Jim Lawrence light installation which drops from ceiling to floor. Turn down brings macaroons and Bendicks mints, a nostalgic touch. Magazines and newspapers are neatly stacked. Still and sparkling water sit by the bed alongside a luggage rack and shoe stand. Duncan is an early riser and appears at your door each morning with a tray of beautifully brewed Colombian coffee, served at a time you choose, alongside a chilled carafe of lemon water and a flask for refills. No pods. No fuss.
Just proper coffee, made with care.
Food plays a central role here. Breakfast is served at your chosen time and tailored to you. A full English if you wish, or something lighter. Black pudding comes from Dundee, hand delivered by Craig after visits to his mother. Eggs, bacon, sausages and mushrooms are sourced locally, and the bread comes from the village bakery. Craig is a natural in the kitchen and his suppers are excellent, whether you dine privately or join them at the antique refectory table in their kitchen. The cooking is straightforward, generous and well judged.
Afternoon G and T at four. A massage later in the day. Supper for two. Cinema night with a takeaway. Nothing feels awkward or over managed. Soon, there will also be a drinks licence, which feels entirely fitting given Duncan’s talent for a proper G and T and his impressive gin selection. This is English sparkling wine country, and there is often a bottle quietly chilling.
Hudson, their Great Dane, is the house’s unofficial mascot. Gentle, calm and magnificent, he only joins guests by invitation and Kingsley House does not accept dogs. His presence reflects the care and thought which runs through the house.
Kingsley House sits close to Goodwood, Midhurst, Haslemere and Chichester, making it a strong base for exploring the South Downs. Whether you arrive for the races, a midweek
break, a romantic escape or a long weekend with friends, it is hard not to start planning a return visit.
Duncan and Craig are very much at the heart of the house. Duncan’s introduction to hospitality came early. At seventeen, while studying business, he rang a small village hotel asking for work. From weddings and bars to rooms and front of house, he learned quickly how a house truly runs and why good hospitality only works when it feels natural. A long career in financial services followed, alongside a deep interest in property and renovation, with close attention to flow, layout and how spaces feel to live in.
Craig’s background spans science, people and food. He holds a PhD in surface chemistry and built an international career across finance, recruitment and senior People and Culture roles.
Travel shaped his approach to hosting and cooking. His food is relaxed, generous and grounded. Time around the table matters.
Together, they travelled widely, staying in places they admired and noticing what worked and what did not. Over time, those conversations turned into a clear idea of how they wanted to host. Kingsley House reflects that thinking. The house matters, but people matter more. They live here and host personally. How you are welcomed matters.
Written By Lulu Townsend https://www.thehotelguru.com/hotel/kingsley-house-surrey
