Being a secret spy for the Dorset Cereals B&B Awards (Shhhhhh…)

This week was the closest I have ever come to feeling like James Bond. I’ve been a proper spy, with a backstory (which I kept fluffing up) a bullet proof suitcase (not exactly) and an Aston Martin. (Total lie. I went by train).
This week I have been working with with very gorgeous (and extremely oaty) Dorset Cereals, who you will almost certainly be familiar with. You may even eat Dorset Cereals for brekky every day, but did you know that they also have a brilliant relationship with B&Bs across the UK?
Well they do, and many of these B&Bs serve up their cereals to their guests as well. As a result of this mutual love affair, Dorset Cereals set up their annual B&B Awards last year to celebrate wonderful and unique places to stay in the UK. The awards honour Britain’s breadth and variety of B&Bs – from beautiful and quirky, to rustically charming or magically modern.

I have been tasked with visiting three of the finalists in the category ‘Friendliest Host’, which meant whizzing around the country last week to Hastings, Norfolk and West Yorkshire…. so to say I am tired is an enormous understatement! But I loved every minute.
I am actually writing this from Cornwall, where I am flopped on a sofa under a blanket, tea in hand and a log fire burning in the corner. I’ve come to stay here with LM and his family for a few days and it’s the perfect place for me to sit and think about the three beautiful B&Bs I was lucky enough to stay in and write up my thoughts on each one…
And my adventure began last Sunday night at Swan House in Hastings. Originally a bakery in 1490 (1490!!) this low ceilinged, timber beamed, boutique haven of effortless chicy (yes that’s a word) loveliness is in the heart of Hastings Old Town. I’d taken the train from London Bridge (which is now, after all the renovations, possibly the most confusing station in the whole of London) and got into Hastings around 5pm, so it was already starting to get dark…

I walked along the seafront, past arcades reminiscent of those in ‘Big’ and listened to the sea sing its merry tune… and fifteen minutes later I’d arrived. I was welcomed by the owner (Lionel) whom, within five minutes, had booked me a table for dinner at a local seafood restaurant, pointed me in the direction of the honesty bar and had me cocooned on one of their sofas, piled high with comfy cushions, by the roaring fire, drinking tea and eating homemade flapjacks. I stayed in their spacious Renaissance Room with its super king size bed, en suite shower room and oodles of character. It also had a private patio roof terrace, which overlooked the garden… A local artist has hand painted details and a wall around the room and I could have happily stayed there for a week – the room was so large, bright and spacious, with a TV and brilliant wifi. (There were also more of their homemade flapjacks in the room, so I’d have munched on those merrily all week). My table was booked for 7:30pm at Webbes Rock-a-Nore restaurant, so at 7:25pm I was on my way… and I was early.

I ordered fish and chips and it was wonderful – the freshest fish caught that morning in some of the crispiest batter I’ve ever tasted. When I got back to Swan House, the secret squirrels had been into my room to turn down the bed and had left me a chocolate on my pillow. Such a lovely touch and in my experience, very unusual for a B&B.

Breakfast was a feast of full English deliciousness, homemade jams and juice (pear) and practically everything was locally sourced – their dairy products come from Northiam Dairy in Rye, their free range Lohmann eggs from Netherfield, their bacon and sausages from award winning Archers in Westfield and their kippers and haddock are from Peter’s Eastern fish shop in Hastings Old Town…

Swan House has a way of making you feel not only extremely relaxed, but actually pampered. Even though I was there for less than 24 hours, the cosiness, calmness and sheer beauty of the design and little thoughtful touches everywhere left me feeling as though I’d had a week away at a spa… and for this reason alone I will most certainly be back. And next time, I’ll have much more time to explore Hastings and its beautiful old town, full of cafes, antiques and curiosities…
I loved my stay here and may I suggest that when you next fancy a seaside jaunt with a side of luxury, book yourself into Swan House. I’ll see you there and will most likely be on the sofa scoffing their flapjacks.
The following day I hopped on a train to Norfolk (via London) where I was staying the night at The Dabbling Duck….
More tomorrow…
Swan House
Hill Street, Hastings TN34 3HU
Dorset Cereals B&B Awards
This post was shot on my LEICA D-LUX – dinky but dynamic 😉
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This post was written in collaboration with Dorset Cereals and all thoughts and opinions are my own