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Louise and David Weston
The creators of this website and authors of How to Start and Run a B&B are David and Louise Weston, who bought The Pheasants in Sherborne, Dorset in 2003 as their family home with James (16) and Sophie (13), and found that with 21 rooms and 4000 square feet, there was room enough to share occasionally with a few guests. Having always wanted to start a bed and breakfast, they took the opportunity.
Since then they have gone through the processes of obtaining a Fire Certificate and a License for serving alcohol (David was one of the first "new" licensees under the Licensing Act 2003, which came in in November 2005), and in June 2006 The Pheasants was awarded four stars under the new VisitBritain/AA star rating scheme for B&Bs. Louise and David wrote this book based on their experience, and David's 16 years' experience in the travel and leisure industry, where he won an award as a "Top 100" marketer.
David is founder and Chairman of the B&B Association, the UK-wide trade association for B&B owners.
Some comments from recent guests at The Pheasants are shown below on this page.
David's "day job" is as a consultant in marketing in the leisure and tourism sector, and he has a website about his business. (Needless to say, David's company produced this website.)
Some recent comments from Louise & David's B&B guests at The Pheasants:
“Absolutely gorgeous house, and very friendly hosts. Would recommend to all.” (a guest from Surrey)
“Best B&B in the area. Will certainly come again.” (Cheshire)
“Thank you so much for your kind hospitality!! I’ll come back again” (Japan)
“The BEST B&B I have ever stayed in. Thank you David & Louise. Hope to come back again!" (Hertfordshire)
“Just what we wanted” (Somerset)
“We were very happy to stay here and will remember your friendly hospitality” (The Netherlands)
“Excellent hospitality all round” (London)
“Really nice place! We want it!!” (New Zealand)
“Very enjoyable stay. Blue Room very pleasant. Good views, lovely breakfast” (Dorset)
“Lovely stay” (Jersey)
“Wonderful B&B, definitely recommend it” (Belgium)
“Excellent B&B and attractive town.” (Surrey)
“We had a wonderful time over here. Living at The Pheasants was perfectly convenient and comfortable. Thanks for being so hospitable.” (Washington DC)
“A beautiful place and very relaxing stay. Hope to come back with the family!” (Cheshire)
“I had a very comfortable stay. Thank you so much.” (California)
“Delicious sausages!” (Hampshire)
“Very comfortable, and excellent for one contented 9 year old.” (Derby)
“I felt very much at home with you.” (Germany)
“Thank you for a nice stay and an equally nice full English breakfast.” (Sweden)
"I have had a lovely four days with my daughter, shopping, Sightseeing, and eating! And when I arrived here and noticed all the fresh flowers in the rooms, I just knew the attention to detail could not be improved upon - and I was right - just perfect. Thank you." (England)
"Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Very comfortable room and excellent breakfast. We'll be back!" (Kent)
"A lovely house and room and a perfect stay. Thank you both very much" (Ontario, Canada)
"Beautiful house! Comfortable beds! Good food! Thank you" (Norwich)
"An incredible comfortable stay. A perfect end to a wonderful weekend in Dorset. Thank you." (Surrey)
"A beautiful house, very warm welcome, comfortable rooms and superb breakfast. Thank you" (West Sussex)
"Fantastic house, fantastic town, will most certainly be back for more!" (Kent)
"A real gem of a B&B. We enjoyed a warm, comfortable and relaxing stay - albeit too brief!" (Wiltshire)
"Beautiful picturesque place, great for doing watercolor. Very comfortable accommodations. Thank you!" (Nashville, USA)
"A lot of extras as well as comfortable accommodations. Thank you for your kind hospitality. This added to our memorable trip to Sherborne" (Michigan, USA)
"Thank you for a lovely stay and especially the perfectly cooked and served breakfasts! What an intriguing house..." (London SW13)
"Lovely, welcoming; Sherry a lovely treat. (Coffee just the way I like it!!) Very comfortable room, great warm towels & big bar of soap!! Thank you" (Southbourne)
"Top host David & 'The Pheasants' provide a MEMORABLE holiday base to enjoy the beauty of mellow Sherborne! Full marks 10/10" (Castlemaine, Australia)
"We stayed in the beautiful "Blue Room". Lovely, comfortable bed. David was an excellent, accommodating host & the food was delicious. We will recommend The Pheasants in the San Francisco Chronicle travel section. Thank you, David, for a very enjoyable stay" (Redwood City, California, USA)
"Thanks for arranging our wonderful surprise 55th anniversary celebration. Our stay with you at The Pheasants was all we expected, and more! - and your thoughtfulness will be long remembered - THANK YOU!" (Illinois, USA)
"A wonderful location in a beautiful town. Our stay has been pleasant and comfortable. It has also brought back many fond memories of the building. Would love to come back again. Thank you for looking after us so well" (Hong Kong)
"A beautiful location and beautifully furnished rooms. Very welcoming and everything was perfect." (Surrey)
"What a fantastic house! Warm welcome, fabulous breakfast. Lovely locality. Many thanks!" (Leicester)
"The Pheasants has offered us a smiling welcome,a wonderful ambiance - and a gentle night's sleep! And let's not forget that tasty breakfast to send us contentedly on our way! Thank you David and Louise!!" (Preston)
"We enjoyed an exceedingly comfortable stay which proved an excellent base for exploring the area. Mother at 97 claims the title as The Pheasants' oldest guest - so far!" (Leeds)
"Have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Sherborne - not least because of the warm welcome we received at The Pheasants. A delightful 'home' to stay!" (Suffolk)
"Very lovely stay, comfortable, warm wonderful hosts, beautiful house - don't want to leave" (Hampshire)
"Just the one night this time, but very impressed! Very welcoming and comfortable - excellent!! Oh yes, by the way the sausages are terrific!" (Hampshire)
"We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay at your beautiful hotel, you made us feel so welcome - everything was superb, we couldn't have chosen a better place. Will certainly want to return." (Cambridge)
"Every bit as good as the last time" (Isle of Wight)
"Very comfortable. delightful hospitality. Perfect location to enjoy Sherborne. We'll miss the breakfast tomorrow!" (West Sussex)
"A lovely place to have spent out Diamond Wedding anniversary at. Thank you for making us so welcome. We met in Sherborne 60 years ago. Lovely to come back. Card from the Queen and you have made us feel like Royalty." (Cambridgeshire)
"Thank you for a wonderful stay in your beautiful house. Everything was perfect! We'll certainly come again." (London)
"All we could have asked for - had a very enjoyable & relaxing weekend." (Gloucestershire)
"Delightful and welcoming - so close to the Abbey" (Belfast)
"A most welcome and comfortable home with first class friendly atmosphere. Thank you David for your non-overpowering welcome" (West Sussex)
"Bright, cheerful house and greeting. Very comfortable and well looked-after. Would come again." (Devon)
"Short but sweet! Lovely walks and good food. Fine shopping in Sherborne!" (Twickenham)
"Very pleasant stay, very comfortable and friendly. Prepared to go that extra mile to please guests. Will recommend. Thank you David and Louise for making us very welcome. Nice Breakfast." (Cheshire)
"Thanks for helping us organise our special anniversary surprise! Beautiful scenery, excellent company, delicious food and every comfort - the perfect weekend." (Devon)
"Absolutely delightful!" (Tunbridge Wells)
"Wonderful B&B to come and stay at after our daughter's wedding in August, so relaxing and also it was a great place to celebrate our anniversary. All superb." (Bath)
"A wonderful old house - feels just like home! Superb breakfasts & service. We love Sherborne." (New Zealand)
For details of our online special offer for the book, click here.
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