Rooms with a Castle View

Murrells bed and breakfast in Lewes has views of the castle from its garden and from the front, so you know that you are bang in the town.

Tony and Nicky Murrell have been open for bed and breakfast since the beginning of 2015. ‘I have always enjoyed meeting people and networking when I had a “proper job” – this allows me to do just that, chat with new people,’ says Tony about why he loves having guests.

Murrells has two spacious bedrooms. One is a double room with a king-sized bed; the other a twin/double room, which can be made up as a super-king bed or two singles.

The modern townhouse is within five or six minutes of the town centre on foot. ‘Yet we are in a very quiet street,’ explains Tony. ‘We have our own off-street parking, which is almost unheard of in the centre of town,’ he adds. And what else sets Murrells apart? ‘Our garden is a little 10-metre square of tropical paradise, with lovely views of the 1,000-year-old castle and the South Downs.’

Breakfast is served in the open-plan kitchen/diner. Part of the couple’s enjoyment of doing bed and breakfast is great feedback. ‘I really like it when people make great comments about my homemade bread and the preserves that Nicky makes, and we get lovely comments about our little tropical/Mediterranean garden.’ Smiling, Tony throws in another benefit of having guests: ‘Doing this also brings a little income in, which pays for my motorcycles and holidays!’

Once visitors have stepped out of the door, there is plenty to see not far away. In Lewes, Tony recommends visiting The Castle and Anne of Cleves house. ‘While, out of town, we have Monk’s House at Rodmell, Charleston Farmhouse, famous for the Bloomsbury Group, which is near Firle and well worth a visit. Cuckmere Haven, towards Eastbourne, is great for walking along the cliffs and a picnic.’