Welcome to the Urban Guild.

When I was 21, I left my routine, put a rucksack on my back and went on a big adventure.

For two years I travelled round Asia, Australasia and the Caribbean. I loved the variety of it all.

Getting lost in the richness of colour and the sounds and smells of three-dimensional cities like Bangkok and Vientiane. Or watching the horizon on the beaches of the Caribbean and feeling the sand between my toes. Remembering it all still excites me.

And it wasn’t just the big scenery changes that have stayed with me for half a lifetime. It was also the little moments, meeting all sorts of lovely people.

Strangers in remote villages who often had so little from a Western perspective, but still invited me to share their food, drink and stories. Fellow travellers who switched to English so I could join in their conversations.

These moments were like little hugs, welcoming me into their lives. And they have become vivid memories – as vivid now as they were then.

That’s why I love hospitality and opened a hotel and restaurants, and even learnt to grow our own produce in a field in the New Forest. Our spaces mean that the big adventure continues.

We love the fact that on any given day there are lots of little adventures happening around us. People who have travelled from all over the world and are staying with us so they can watch our horizon.

An 18 year old and an 80 year old celebrating separate birthdays as they eat with us. Someone else escaping the routine of the office to buy a sandwich from us, take it to the beach, look at the sea and feel the sand between their toes. People enjoying little moments, that we hope turn into vivid memories, and stay with them for half a lifetime or more.

I don’t need to go travelling on a big adventure right now, though one day I will again. I’ve settled with my lovely family by the beach, in the town where I grew up.

And you bring the vibrancy and adventure to us. Your conversations and energy make our places buzz. It’s exciting.

So come on in. Enjoy our food and our drink and share your stories.

And thank you. You make our day.

Owner