There’s a gorgeously unorthodox Bed & Breakfast in St. Leonards-On-Sea (near Hastings) that’s like a time portal to the 1880’s and the dizzying highly decorated camp of Victorian England. It all gets even more OTT when greeted by the very Orthodox owner, Aleksandr, a recently ordained Russian Orthodox Priest,  an imposing and slightly disconcerting sight in full length black silk cassock, gleaming silver cross, topped with wild grey-blond  hair in a pony tail and bushy white beard. Did someone say ‘Rasputin’ – but with much kinder, twinkling eyes. Aleksandr has a mischievous sense of humour. 

St. Benedict’s is a world away from the seaside kitsch of the beachfront, set amongst dozens of incredibly large Victorian villas with their manicured gardens overlooking the sea. But nothing quite prepares you for the overwhelming grandeur of St Benedict’s. We had the gorgeously decorated Mr Parry Suite with its own en-suite shrine to the last Russian Tzar and his family, overlooking a stunning Victorian walled garden and another garden packed with summer blooms around a vivid green lawn. 

There’s surprise after surprise here, where every single element is in keeping with the original Victorian theme – taxidermy stuffed creatures in large glass domes, rich red wallpapers, polished mahogany furniture, heavy velvet curtains, period linens, brass-potted aspidistras, crystal chandeliers and a plethora of antique treasures and objets trouvés lovingly restored by the owners.