Bed and breakfast run to Rule of St Benedict named the world’s best

A guesthouse run according to the Rule of St Benedict has been named the best bed and breakfast in the world.

Almost three years after its opening, Millgate Bed and Breakfast, in north Yorkshire, was selected as the world’s best by the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice awards.

The award was based on millions of reviews left on the TripAdvisor website which takes into account quality of service, food and location.

When Andrew and Sue Burrell set up Millgate Bed and Breakfast in their Grade-II listed family home in the town of Masham in March 2012, they decided to run it in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict – to welcome all visitors as they would welcome Christ.

“We receive all of our guests with love and kindness and I think this award is reflection of that,” said Mr Burrell. “We don’t pretend to be luxurious – we are in a historic house down a little lane in north Yorkshire, but what we do is focus on the service we offer our guests. We have three rooms and can only accommodate six people so we are able to offer a real one to one service.”

Mr Burrell said his work at the bed and breakfast is also guided by his regular reading of the Magnificat, a daily spiritual life companion, which he described as an “invaluable resource and source of inspiration”.

One example of the special welcome laid on by Mr and Mrs Burrell is that guests are greeted with freshly baked scones and tea upon arrival. A recent review of Millgate on the TripAdvisor website said: “I was, of course, very familiar with the reputation of their amazing Georgian home and garden. What I wasn’t familiar with, or ready for, was their wonderful hospitality. Nothing was too much trouble.”

The Traveller’s Choice award comes with no financial reward but Mr Burrell, who is an enthusiast for local Catholic history and has recently helped establish an annual Mass at Jervaulx Abbey with the The Hambleton Circle of the Catenians, said that he and his wife have been inundated with press requests and book enquiries since the award was announced. Millgate is now fully booked for the next 12 months.

Since opening, Mr and Mrs Burrell have welcomed guests from all over the world, including Israel, China and the US.