The newest luxury stay near Goodwood Racecourse

by Lulu Townsend

There’s a stunning new place to stay near Haslemere, Surrey, UK, that’s quietly redefining the British B&B. Kingsley House, not far from Goodwood Racecourse and the Cowdray Estate, offers the comfort and polish of a boutique hotel but with the warmth of staying with friends who happen to have impeccable taste, a stay that feels like a hug!

Run by Duncan and Craig, Kingsley House recently opened and has already become one of the most talked-about new small boutique stays in the South. There are three beautifully designed bedrooms available for bed and breakfast, or six if you take the house exclusively – ideal for house parties, Goodwood weekends, or long, lazy gatherings with friends. It will soon be fully licensed too.

Duncan’s introduction to hospitality came early. At 17, while studying business, he rang a small village hotel asking for work. From day one, he was involved in everything, weddings, bars, rooms, food, front of house. Long shifts taught him how a house really runs and why good hospitality only works when it feels natural.

A long career in helping companies source funding followed. Duncan moved quickly through the ranks, from branch clerk to divisional manager, before co-founding City Capital in London. He spent the next two decades building the business from the centre of the city. Alongside this, he developed a strong interest in property, buying and renovating homes with close attention to layout, detail and how a space feels to live in.

Craig’s background spans science, people and food. He holds a PhD in surface chemistry and has built an international career across finance, recruitment and senior People and Culture roles in professional services. Work takes him around the world, often far from familiar routes. These experiences have shaped how he cooks and how he hosts. His food is straightforward, generous and relaxed.

From fires lit on arrival to fresh flowers in every room, bespoke Jim Lawrence lighting and G&Ts on arrival, Kingsley House is a place where every detail has been thought through. Bathrooms gleam with marble, flannels, 100 Acres products and full-size Listerine bottles. Beds are dressed with a pillow menu and duvet protectors (a revelation), and lights turn on as you walk in.

Each morning, Duncan brings freshly brewed Colombian coffee to your door – never a machine in sight – with a carafe of lemon water and a flask for top-ups. There’s even hot milk on request. Macaroons and Bendicks mints appear at turndown, and the latest lifestyle magazines, chilled water and fresh flowers complete the picture.

Craig’s cooking is another highlight, from hearty breakfasts with black pudding from his hometown of Edinburgh and eggs, bacon, and mushrooms from nearby farms to private suppers around their vintage Cotswolds refectory table. For quieter evenings, the cinema room is set up for film nights and takeaways.

Hudson, their four-year-old, soon-to-be-famous Great Dane (think Disney + British drama series), adds to the charm. Majestic yet gentle, he’s part of the family and can join you if invited.

Within easy reach of Goodwood, Cowdray, Chichester, Petworth, Haslemere, and Midhurst, Kingsley House makes the perfect base for exploring the South Downs. It’s ideal for Goodwood events, romantic weekends, or anyone who values comfort, character and genuine hospitality.

“Kingsley House is about coming home to care and comfort, not fuss,” says Duncan. “We love the small details that make people feel looked after, special – the kind of things we appreciate when we travel.”

Kingsely House an adult-only B&B in Haslemere, Surrey

thehotelguru.com