A conversation with Svitlana Barabash, manager of Florence Nightingale Suites at Lea Hurst

What does it really mean to manage a historic house?

It is not quite the same as running a modern hotel. At Lea Hurst, every decision involves a balance between preserving the character and heritage of the house and creating a comfortable experience for today’s guests.

For almost a year, Svitlana Barabash has been managing Florence Nightingale Suites at Lea Hurst, Florence Nightingale’s historic home in Derbyshire.

During that time, she has done far more than manage bookings and guest services. She has prepared breakfasts, cared for rooms and gardens, dealt with maintenance issues, welcomed visitors, organized specialists, and, perhaps most importantly, learned to see the house not simply as a property, but as a living piece of history.

We spoke with Svitlana about historic hospitality, the work guests rarely see and what a year at Lea Hurst has taught her.

What is the biggest challenge of managing a historic house — preserving its history or making it comfortable for modern guests?

I think the real challenge is finding the balance between the two.

Lea Hurst is a historic house, and its authenticity is part of what makes staying here special. Original and antique pieces, furniture, artwork and objects connected with the Nightingale family help preserve that sense of history. Some of the drawings at Lea Hurst are connected with Florence’s sister, Frances Parthenope Nightingale, who documented aspects of family life through her art. 

But a modern guest still expects modern comfort.

We have contemporary showers, for example, because that is simply part of what guests need today. We do not have air conditioning because it would be very difficult to introduce it without compromising the character of the historic building, so during warmer weather we use fans instead.

There are also things guests rarely think about: old plumbing, old windows and hidden infrastructure that has been in the house for decades.

Even something as simple as a broken window latch can become a real challenge when the original fitting is extremely old and you need to find someone with the right skills to repair it.

So managing a historic house is a constant balance: preserve what makes the building special while making sure people can still enjoy it comfortably today.

What does the guest never see?

Most of the work happens behind the scenes.

At the moment, I am very much a person who does a bit of everything. I prepare breakfast, look after the rooms, wash and iron the linen, take care of parts of the garden and deal with everyday maintenance and organisation.

Of course, when something requires specialist expertise, we bring in the right people. But even finding the right specialist can be part of the job.

Guests see a clean room, fresh linen, a beautiful breakfast and a cared-for garden. They do not necessarily see everything that has to happen before that moment.

When several guests arrive and leave close together, the rooms need to be turned around quickly. If ten guests are staying at the same time, there is a significant amount of work involved in preparing breakfast, cleaning rooms and processing all the linen.

The washing machine can wash it. The wind can dry it.

But someone still has to iron it, prepare it and put everything back in place.
That invisible work is a huge part of hospitality.

How do you know when a guest has really connected with a place?

I think everyone experiences a house differently.

Some people come because of Florence Nightingale. They want to stay in a house where she once lived, thought and worked.

Others remember the tea, the garden or the unexpected encounters with the animals around the property. There might be peacocks, deer, sheep or even a surprise visit from cattle.

Sometimes it is something completely unplanned — a hot-air balloon appearing outside the window or a beautiful view at exactly the right moment.

Some guests come for a wedding or photography session, creating memories that may stay in their families for generations.

Others come because they need to step away from everyday life, work quietly or simply reset.

And some visit for afternoon tea without staying overnight.

For me, one of the clearest signs that a place has touched someone is when they come back — or recommend it to someone else.

What makes Florence Nightingale Suites different from a conventional hotel?

A conventional hotel can simply be a place where you sleep.

You arrive, check in, go out, come back, have breakfast and leave.
Here, there is another layer.

This is a home with a history. Lea Hurst was a country home of the Nightingale family, and Florence spent extended periods here throughout her life. 

So staying here can be more than accommodation. It can be an opportunity to experience a place connected with a remarkable historical figure and to learn more about her life.

People come from different parts of the world because they already know Florence Nightingale and want to see where part of her story unfolded.

But I am also pleased that the house has become better known locally.

Some people living in Derbyshire did not realise that Florence Nightingale’s historic home was here. Over the past year, we have welcomed people for afternoon tea, photography, private visits and simply to see the house and learn more about its history.

That is something I am very proud of.

What does good hospitality mean to you?

Good hospitality is often something you do not notice.

You simply feel comfortable.

The room is welcoming, the food is good, everything feels cared for, and you can relax without thinking about all the work behind it.

But here, I think there is another important element.

Florence Nightingale Suites is a home rather than a conventional hotel. There is a greater sense of trust and personal connection.

I often cook for guests myself. I have made Ukrainian borscht and varenyky, and I have even made rose-petal jam from the roses in the garden.

I like the feeling that someone has not simply arrived at a hotel, but has been welcomed into a home.

Can hospitality really be taught?

You can certainly learn the professional side of hospitality.

You can learn service standards, organisation, communication and how to deal with difficult situations.

But genuine hospitality is something deeper.

You can smile because your job requires you to smile, while not actually caring about the person in front of you.

For me, hospitality comes from humanity, experience and a genuine desire to make another person feel comfortable.

The professional skills matter. But the attitude behind them matters just as much.

What has Lea Hurst taught you?

Probably the most important lesson is that there is always a solution.

Something can happen that initially seems impossible to fix. You can become upset or overwhelmed, but eventually you have to step back, think clearly and find a way forward.

I try to see difficult situations not as punishment, but as lessons.

That approach has helped me enormously during this year.

The house has also taught me to respect history on a much deeper level.

I have read more about Florence Nightingale, watched films and learned more about her life. The more you understand the person, the more you begin to see the house differently.

For me, Florence is no longer simply a historical figure.

She becomes a real person who walked through these rooms, thought about her work and spent time in these surroundings.

There are places around Lea Hurst where she is believed to have gone for quiet reflection and prayer. I sometimes go there myself.

That connection makes me feel a responsibility that goes beyond simply managing a property.

Has your philosophy of hospitality changed?

I would not say that it has changed. I think it has deepened.

Before coming to Lea Hurst, I had professional experience in quality and service management within a medical centre. Before that, I spent many years raising my three children and managing a household.

All of those experiences have become part of the way I work.

Hospitality is not only about a profession or a set of procedures. It is also about noticing people, anticipating their needs, caring about details and remaining calm when something unexpected happens.

Lea Hurst has given me the opportunity to bring all of those things together.

What is the most important quality for a good house manager?

I think it is the ability to see both the problem and the person.

A historic house is not simply walls, rooms and furniture. It is the people who work here, the people who visit and the stories that belong to the place.

Every guest arrives with their own expectations, mood and reason for being here. A good manager needs to recognise that and understand what the person actually needs.

At the same time, you have to respect the character of the building itself.
You cannot force a historic house to behave like a modern building. You have to understand its limitations, protect its heritage and work with what it is.

Perhaps that is what managing a historic house means to me: preserving the past, caring for the present and creating space for new memories.

Florence Nightingale Suites at Lea Hurst is currently welcoming guests until 15 September 2026. What happens after that date is still being decided.