Owners Helen Faulkner and her husband, Andy Guest, demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by shopping regularly at their local Katharine House Hospice charity shop.
“We try to avoid buying anything new where possible, and the Katharine House Hospice's shop has been a treasure trove for us,” said Helen.
Named Best B&B 2024 in the Visit Staffordshire Awards, Eagle House is a beautifully preserved, historic property offering guests a warm, personal stay with attention to detail and a deep connection to the area’s heritage.
Helen’s passion for history and sustainability, sees her visiting the Katharine House Hospice shop up to three times a week. She has even made her trips part of her routine dog walks with Teddy, her canine companion who’s become a favourite among the shop staff, volunteers, and fellow shoppers.
“We love seeing Helen and Teddy, they are much more than regular customers, they are part of the family.
“Looking at our stock through Helen’s eyes is inspirational; her creativity and passion is awe-inspiring. We always have our treats ready for Teddy too, he is so popular with all our customers,” said Mel, the manager of the Eccleshall shop.
“I enjoy sourcing unique, vintage, and high-quality pieces from Katharine House Hospice’s Eccleshall shop,” Helen says.
“Not only do they perfectly complement the character of Eagle House, but they also align with our passion for sustainability—something we’ve been recognised for through several awards.
Before running the B&B, Helen worked as a nurse, which gave her a personal understanding of the importance of hospice care.
“Supporting Katharine House Hospice is something I care deeply about,” said Helen.
Helen has transformed hundreds of items from the charity shop into beautiful features throughout the B&B. She’s used second-hand frames and a book of watercolour bird illustrations to create striking vintage-style artwork that now decorates the property’s walls.
“Many beautiful items have found a home here,” Helen says.
“We especially love Staffordshire china, which we use to serve our breakfasts—it adds local flair and character, and we use it in our décor too.”
Helen’s creativity doesn’t stop there.
“I also love upcycling—from turning old book pages into coasters, to crafting décor from yarn, curtains, and repurposed frames. We’ve even created themed memory boxes in each room, inspired by Eagle House’s historic residents.”
Helen and Andy are leading the way in eco-conscious hospitality.
