helen and andy, owners of eagle house eccleshall

About Us

Eagle House is owned and run by the husband and wife team, Helen and Andy.  It has always been their dream to own a bed and breakfast and they are proud and privileged to be the current custodians of Eagle House and work hard to give their guests the best possible experience. 

Helen

Helen is the Eagle House head gardener! She particularly loves growing fruit and vegetables and her produce can sometimes be sampled by our guests at breakfast.

She has recently planted a variety of fruit trees and bushes in the garden and can’t wait to make jams from them for our guests to try.

Helen also enjoys going for walks in the beautiful countryside around Eccleshall, reading books and researching the history of Eagle House.

Helen has a background in nursing and enjoys looking after all our guests.

Having recently been treated for cancer, Helen has helped set up and run local support group Eccleshall Cancer Warriors.

Andy

Our own “handy Andy” is a whizz at DIY, which comes in useful in such a large house.

Andy studied Physics at the University of Birmingham and was an engineer for several years.  He still loves nothing better than an afternoon of tinkering in his garages. As well as keeping on top of all the B&B maintenance, Andy spends many happy hours working with wood, metal and electronics.

He is also creative in the kitchen, producing all the yummy breakfasts that we serve.

Andy runs Eccleshall Chess Club, which meets every other Monday at Eagle House.

6o second Interview

What is your main Role?

Helen:  Hosting our guests,  showing them around and making sure they have a restful and comfortable stay.

Andy: As a small, family-run business, Helen and I have to wear many hats but my main role is preparing breakfast for our guests.

What do you love about Eagle House Bed and Breakfast?

Helen:  I love the views of the garden and the surrounding countryside as well as the peace and calm of the library.

Andy: The whole house is beautiful but my favorite bit is probably the hall and the staircase.  It feels very grand and sets the scene for the rest of the house.

What is the best thing about living in Eccleshall?

Helen:  The charity shop! I love antiques and curios and love shopping for beautiful objects for the house.

Andy: The surrounding countryside is beautiful and Eagle House is very peaceful but, at the same time, Eccleshall has everything you need.  There are lots of pubs, restaurants, shops and things to do.

What values do you consider most important for running a Business?

Helen: Honesty and integrity are at the heart of everything we do. Our aim is to be clear to our guests what kind of experience they will be provided with at Eagle House, hence our comprehensive website. We enjoy providing the highest standards that we can. For example, we are very proud of our 5 star food hygiene rating and the numerous industry awards that we have won.

Andy: Sustainability is very important to us. We provide value for money without compromising on quality or our environmental impact.

What do you enjoy most about running a Bed and Breakfast?

Helen: I enjoy meeting new people and seeing their faces when they look around the house.

Andy: I love taking the time to make my breakfasts beautiful as well as tasty. I like to make sure everyone leaves us on a full stomach.

What are your top tips for starting a small business?

Helen: Do lots of research into all the relevant legislation and get organized with several spreadsheets.

Andy: There will probably never be a perfect time to start, there will always be a reason not to do it.  Try to focus on the reasons to do it now.  Do your research and have confidence in yourself.