We have created a list with the best castle hotels in Dorset, UK. We have also included hotels in old manor houses, historic properties, historic villas and beautiful country residences. Hope you enjoy it. We think it might be the best of its kind around. Tip: Set your dates to see room prices!
A list by Anna Pinto & Ted Valentin. Updated December 2023.
Historic. Great location. Popular among couples. This beautiful 16th-century manor house offers incredible views across the Dorset countryside from its terrace. Located in the lovely village of Corfe Castle, Mortons Manor has an award-winning restaurant and individually designed rooms. Corfe’s castle is a Grade I listed building and is also just a 5-minute walk from Mortons House. Rooms are either located in the original manor house, or have castle views. Shops, pubs and restaurants are within 5 minutes’ walk. Serving a traditional English menu, the restaurant uses local, quality produce in its dishes. The wooden detailing in the oak-panelled drawing room was carved by Indonesian soldiers and the log fire is lit during the winter months. Free Wi-Fi is accessible in public areas. Free private parking is provided and the beautiful Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site, can be reached after 10 minutes’ drive. Guests can relax in front of the flat-screen TV in their room, which also has tea and coffee making facilities and an en suite bathroom.Show full description
Historic property. Great restaurant. With open views of the surrounding Dorset countryside, The Priory Hotel is nestled within 4 acres of English cottage gardens beside the River Frome. Free WiFi is provided, along with an on-site restaurant. The hotel lies within the ancient market town and port of Wareham, which boasts Saxon town walls dating back to the 9th Century. Corfe Castle ruins and the village of Corfe are a 5-minute drive away. Each guest room comes with an en-suite bathroom, a flat-screen TV with DVD player and tea/coffee making facilities. A full English breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed at the hotel, which also features a wine cellar housing 200 vintages. Lunch is served in the Garden Room but can also be enjoyed ‘alfresco’ on the terrace in the warmer months. The picturesque Lulworth Cove and Studland Beach can both be reached in a 20-minute drive.Show full description
In my judgement this could be the most HISTORIC small hotel in Dorset.
Beach front location. Comfortable beds. The Manor House is set in West Bexington and 250 metres from Chesil Beach and Lym Bay. This charming property dates back to the 16th century and opens onto a lovely garden and terrace. The pretty, individually decorated rooms at The Manor House have bright finishes with, a flat-screen TV and a en-suite bath or shower room. The restaurant at The Manor House serves dishes prepared with local produce, while the cellar bar serves a selection of real ales and snacks. Some rooms offer sea views. WiFi is free of charge. and only available in public spaces (bar, restaurant and lounges). The property offers a picturesque and quite countryside location. Weymouth is a 30-minute drive away.Show full description
This small hotel has super comfortable beds and outstanding views.
Beach front location. Romantic. Gorgeous surroundings. Little Court is a delightful Edwardian Country House with fabulous gardens, just 1 mile from the centre of historic Dorchester, and just 20 minutes from the World Heritage ‘Jurassic Coast’. All of our guest rooms at Little Court offer private en-suite bathrooms, televisions, and hospitality trays including tea and coffee. Guests can also make use of free Wi-Fi and wired internet access. Little Court’s award-winning breakfast is available, prepared using only the best produce from local farms. And there is an excellent pub called the Sun Inn down the road for evening meals. Guests at Little Court can enjoy the beautiful, 3-acre garden, as well as the outdoor heated swimming pool and tennis court. There is ample free parking at the Little Court.Show full description
Perhaps this is the most PEACEFUL AND ROMANTIC guest house in Dorset. It also has beautiful surroundings and great tennis facilities.
Relaxing atmosphere. Lovely surroundings. Popular among couples. Set in beautiful gardens with a tennis court and croquet, surrounded by fields and a stream with excellent walking and sightseeing nearby. Plumber Manor is a timeless hotel that boasts a restaurant which has been in the Good Food Guide for the last forty years. Situated 3.3 km from Sturminster Newton, Plumber Manor Hotel offers 4-star accommodation with a tennis court and a garden. With free parking and WIFI, the hotel is 5 minutes from Sturminster Newton. Bedrooms and bathrooms are very spacious with Molton Brown toiletries, tea and coffee facilities and homemade shortbread. There are flat-screen TVs and relaxing seating areas in all the rooms. 3 of our rooms are dog friendly so please call in advance to avoid disappointment. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi. Guests can enjoy British dishes at the fine dining restaurant or have a cocktail at the bar.Show full description
I think this is one of the most RELAXING small hotels in Dorset.
Delightful property. Friendly staff. Popular among couples. In 4 acres of beautiful gardens, Summer Lodge features luxurious rooms, a leisure centre and an award-winning restaurant. With free parking and free Wi-Fi, the hotel is 15 minutes from Yeovil. Set in a Georgian manor house, Summer Lodge features an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna. Dorchester is a 20-minute drive away and Sherborne Castle can be reached in 25 minutes’ drive. Rooms feature sumptuous fabrics and luxury bathrooms with toiletries, bathrobes and candles. Rooms also have tea and coffee facilities with homemade shortbread, and a plasma-screen satellite TV. There is also a fitness centre, tennis courts, croquet lawn and treatment rooms. The restaurant offers fine dining and a selection of rare wines. The guest lounges offer beverages and snacks, and feature open fires and antiques. Afternoon teas and cooked breakfasts are also available. Set in scenic Dorset countryside, Summer Lodge is just 30 minutes from the coast at Weymouth. Groups - When booking for more than 4 persons, different policies and additional supplements may apply . Show full description
This charming and historic hotel in Evershot has beautiful gardens and is part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. It has a spa with an indoor pool and is known for its exceptional dining and attention to detail, making it a unique and luxurious place to stay.
Close to beach front. Relaxing atmosphere. Stunning pool facilities. Set in Dorchester, in a historic building, 14 km from Monkey World, Greenwood Grange is a holiday home with a garden and barbecue facilities. There is a private entrance at the holiday home for the convenience of those who stay. Corfe Castle is 29 km from Greenwood Grange, while Golden Cap is 36 km away. There is a sun terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi, free private parking and an electric vehicle charging station. At the holiday home, the units come with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a kitchen, a dining area and a private bathroom with a hair dryer, a bath and free toiletries. An oven, a microwave and toaster are also featured, as well as a kettle. At the holiday home, units are fitted with bed linen and towels. You can play billiards, table tennis and tennis at this 4-star holiday home, and bike hire is available. The holiday home features a children's playground and a picnic area. The nearest airport is Bournemouth Airport, 43 km from the accommodation.Show full description
This holiday home has a great beach front location, lovely pool facilities and a great SPA.
Friendly staff. Relax in beautiful surroundings. Located in the heart of the Purbecks between Corfe Castle and Swanage, Kingston Country Courtyard offers some of the most beautiful views in Dorset. Bedrooms surround two beautiful courtyards with complimentary parking. Each en suite bedroom is unique and features stone walls and exposed beams. The Sawmill Restaurant features locally sourced produce, largely from within 20 miles, served with an international twist of delicious flavours. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, woods and stunning panoramic view all from the comfort of our grounds. Explore the beautiful Purbeck countryside and beaches.Show full description
Beach front location. Charming. Great location. Located on the Jurassic Coast, our Georgian manor is the perfect base for exploration – go on a fossil hunt, roam along the coastal path, and enjoy family activities at the Verandah. Family Stays - At Moonfleet Manor, we're not just family-friendly, we're family-focused. Dog Friendly Stays - You needn't worry about arranging a dog sitter or kennels when planning your visit - we welcome canine companions with open arms at Moonfleet Manor (Additional charge of £15 per pet per night). Our hotel is a place where kids can explore, parents can unwind and families can reconnect, with a complimentary 90 minute session in our ofsted-registered kids club per nights stay (subject to availability) Couple Stays - Spend your days strolling then return to our boltholes for a dip in the pool, spa treatments and seasonal dining.Show full description
I think this place could be the most CHARMING AND COSY hotel in Dorset.
Elegant. Cosy rooms. The Eastbury is a luxury Georgian country house style hotel and boutique spa with lovely gardens . The property is set in the heart of the lively historic town of Sherborne in the Dorset countryside. Originally designed as an 18th-century Georgian gentleman’s residence, rooms at the accommodation are imbued with immense warmth and character and offer a home away from home feel. Secure parking is available. All rooms are individually decorated and include an en suite bathroom. Guests at the property can enjoy exclusive use and choice of two lounges to relax in, a library and snooker room, beautiful walled gardens and private dining in a pod. Luxurious sofas, fresh flowers and a fireplace are included. The Eastbury & Spa is operating as a luxury Bed & Breakfast. Please note that our restaurant is closed in the evenings. Local restaurants are available within walking distance. We have made the decision to close our restaurant, offering an award-winning breakfast. We are working closely with our local restaurant in and around Sherborne to still offer our guests the best dining experience while visiting us.Show full description
This charming Georgian country house hotel in Sherborne is known for its individually decorated rooms and a boutique spa for relaxation. The fine dining restaurant, Seasons, offers a delightful culinary experience.
Superb breakfast. The Castleton is set on Swanage’s, just 10 minutes’ walk from the town centre and pier. Offering a lounge with sea views, this traditional seaside property is nearby a sandy beach. The spacious rooms at The Castleton have high ceilings and attractive design. The Castleton opens on to its own garden and there is also a conservatory. There is limited onsite parking but ample alternatives are available in the vicinity. There is free WiFi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom comes with free toiletries. A range of shops, pubs and restaurants can be found along Swanage’s. Swanage offers easy access to lovely countryside with Knoll Beach and the surrounding nature reserve just 15 minutes’ drive away. Parking on-site is very limited, street parking is plentiful. Occasionally, guests may have to use the public car park during very busy periods. This is 120m from the property.Show full description
This bed and breakfast has a highly rated breakfast.
Very stylish. Superb interior design. Popular among couples. Derby Manor is set in Boscombe, 1 km from Bournemouth Beach. Free secure private parking is available on site. Derby Manor provides a full English and continental breakfast daily from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Bournemouth International Centre is 1.8 km from Derby Manor. Every room comes with a 40-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some units include a seating area for your convenience. You will find a kettle in the room, along with complimentary biscuits, chocolates, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. The rooms come with a private bathroom equipped with a bath or shower. The nearest airport is Bournemouth Airport, 6 km from the property.Show full description
Derby Manor is a luxurious boutique hotel with a beautiful beachfront location. The rooms are spacious and well-decorated, with unique features like under-bed spotlights and in-room baths.
Luxurious. Great restaurant. This stylish hotel is in Christchurch town centre. It offers free Wi-Fi, free parking and luxury rooms with flat-screen TVs, DVD/CD players and iPod docks. The Kings Christchurch looks out over the town's Victorian bowling green and the castle ruins. The hotel has been fully renovated and reopened in the summer of 2008. The Georgian building mixes original character with modern luxury. The en suite rooms have luxury beds with Hypnos mattresses, power showers and luxury toiletries and bathroom products. Guests can use The Harbour Spa at the Kings's nearby sister hotel, The Christchurch Harbour. The Kings Restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients, including produce from The New Forest and seafood from the South Coast.Show full description
Nestled amidst stunning countryside, this 2AA Rosette award-winning late 18th century British pub is beautifully set in the heart of the ancient village of Corton Denham, on the Somerset/Dorset border. Bedrooms have views of the rolling countryside and are individually designed in calm, neutral colours. Just 3 miles from the historic town of Sherborne, guests can visit the town’s castles, Abbey and boutique shops. All have contemporary bathrooms and Egyptian cotton linen. Also in the area is Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage site, which is just 45 minutes drive across the rolling Dorset Downs.Show full description
The Queens Arms is a charming boutique hotel in the scenic village of Corton Denham. It has been beautifully refurbished and exudes a delightful English ambiance with candlelit tables and log fires.
Situated in the old English village of Farnham, The Museum Inn is a 17th-century pub which lies on the Cranborne Chase, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Free on-site parking is provided, and the inn also features an on-site restaurant and a garden. Antiques, flagstone floors and roaring fires are featured in the property’s 17th-century bar, as well as cosy alcoves and a wide selection of alcoholic drinks. An en suite bathroom is provided in each room at The Museum Inn, as well as a TV and tea/coffee making facilities. The 2 Rosette award winning restaurant offers seasonal British cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. The area surrounding The Museum Inn is ideal for outdoor pursuits, including shooting, walking, riding, and fishing. Shaftesbury is 20 minutes' drive and Salisbury is 30 minutes' drive away.Show full description
A recently renovated campground situated in Poole, Glamping at South Lytchett Manor features a garden. Boasting private check-in and check-out, this property also provides guests with a picnic area. If you would like to discover the area, cycling and hiking are possible in the surroundings and Glamping at South Lytchett Manor can arrange a bicycle rental service. Poole Harbour is 6.8 km from the accommodation, while Corfe Castle is 16 km from the property. The campground also features free WiFi, free private parking and facilities for disabled guests. All units comprise a seating area with a sofa and a fully equipped kitchenette with various cooking facilities, including a toaster, a fridge and a stovetop. Some units have a fireplace. At the campground, every unit comes with a outdoor furniture, a TV and a shared bathroom. There is a coffee shop, and a minimarket is also available. For guests with children, the campground provides outdoor play equipment. The nearest airport is Bournemouth Airport, 19 km from Glamping at South Lytchett Manor.Show full description
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