Wayside Cottage
44841.7 miles W of Beaminster / Sleeps 3 + cot
7 Nights from £395
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The New Inn (100 yards)
Situated in the heart of the village, this 17th century thatched inn offers a warm welcome, Palmers beer and a locally sourced menu. Enjoy the beer garden in summer. Dogs are welcome.
Mrs Mackintosh July 2011
Fantastic service
We chose this for Sunday lunch. The food was impressive and good value for money. The service was attentive and helpful without being intrusive. We were very impressed by the overall quality and the beautiful setting.
Mrs Evans March 2010
A good test of a pub is in mid-winter when there are few tourists about. The New Inn manages to attact lots of local residents out of season and that's a good sign. Some lovely walking from/to the pub car park too!
Mrs Scammell July 2009
Lovely 18th Century pub set in a very pretty garden with meals served in the bar or dining room. The menu is small and changes daily while the food is freshly cooked by the owner, a professional chef. Very professional and friendly young staff.
Nearest beach
Seatown Beach (6 miles)
A privately-owned beach, Seatown Beach sits to the east of Golden Cap. Backed by soaring cliffs, the beach is a popular spot for fossil hunters looking to find prizes hidden within the shingle. With a steep shelf and no lifeguards on duty, swimming is not advised, however the beach offers a lovely spot to sit and watch the waves rumble and roll along the shore.
September 2009
A favourite fossil hunting spot. Apparently there are beds of fossilised brittle starfish nearby as well as beds of belemnites. There's a free car park by the beach and you can walk up Golden Cap from here too, Dorset's highest spot, where the views are amazing.
Nearest walk
Pilsdon Pen (2 ½ miles)
Traditionally thought of as Dorset's highest peak (277m), until it was recently found to be a few feet shy of its neighbour, Lewesdon Hill. Height notwithstanding, the Iron Age hill fort atop this flat-topped hill provides great views over the lush Marshwood Vale in west Dorset. Walk the ancient ramparts in a circular loop to take in the 360 degree panorama across the gentle rolling hills, whilst buzzards wheel overhead. Reach it off the B3164 Broadwindsor road.
Mrs Wise July 2016
Amazing Views from an Iron Age Fort
Well worth the short steep walk up the hill.
Mrs Mackintosh July 2011
Fantastic views
An easy ascent from the parking space for those who find uphill a struggle. It is well worth the climb as you can see for miles. It's a pity that there is no information board to indicate what you are looking at in each direction.
January 2009
From Pilsdon Pen you can enjoy one of the best (and windiest) unspoilt views of Dorset.
Nearest town
Beaminster (1 ¾ miles)
Beaminster sits at the head of the Britt Valley, through which flows the river of the same name. The countryside here is glorious and a stay in Beaminster would be incomplete without a stroll through the rolling hills that surround the town. For the history buff, playing ‘spot the listed building’ is great fun – even though Beaminster has been devastated by fire no less than three times, the town still lays claim to some 200 listed buildings. The highlight of Beaminster’s calendar is the Festival of Music and Visual Arts, a jamboree of musical, literary and artistic talent including many big names.
Mrs Starkey May 2018
Bonny Beaminster
We loved Beaminster and being only a couple of miles from our holiday home, it was ideal. The Greyhound is a friendly, unpretentious pub serving excellent homemade food at great prices. It is an untouched, charming town with independent shops, a refreshing alternative to the usual choices. Loved Cilla and Camilla-beautiful gifts, homewares and wonderful cafe. Definitely worth a visit.
Mrs Relf September 2016
West Bay
Lovely harbour and beach
August 2012
Beaminster
A lovely little Dorset village with some great independant shops and nice places to eat. Small but well worth a visit.
Also nearby
Hare & Hounds (2 ¼ miles)
Home cooked food is a speciality here with Sunday roasts being a favourite. There's a play area, large garden and decking with views over the countryside. Dogs are welcome.
June 2017
Excellent pub food and congenial hosts
We enjoying two visits to the Hare and Hounds during our recent holiday. Both times we had excellent pub meals in good surroundings and was well looked after by the hosts. Many thanks
The George Inn (5 ¼ miles)
Enjoy a (not so) swift pint by the cosy log fire in winter or out in the patio garden in summer at this 17th Century thatched country inn. Lunch and dinner menus include locally sourced seafood and meats. You can enjoy a locally brewed pint of Palmers ale while the kids play on the giant Jenga. Booking is advisable in summer.
Mr Marsland September 2019
Great food
Great food and friendly staff
Mrs Butler September 2017
The George
Welcoming pub, tasty food. dogs are accommodated in bar areas. Advised to book for Sun lunch.
Mr Grainger August 2016
Superb!
The first thing that strikes you about the George is the friendly welcome from the staff nothing is too much trouble, they welcome dogs with open arms.
The food is excellent and good value for money and the Palmers' ales are a delight, be brave and try the "georgeous" ploughman's it is huge and gorgeous!
Mrs Walker September 2011
Excellent pub food. Thursday night is pizza night and its advisable to book.
Mrs Penney January 2009
welcoming with excellent food
Often in the area and find the George welcoming and reliable for a good meal, be it a bar snack or something more substantial, highly recemmended.
January 2009
Sunday Roast at The George
After a breathtaking walk along the spectacular Jurassic Coast on a Sunday afternoon there is nothing more needed than a fabulous Sunday roast. We were a little late in arriving at The George however and when everywhere else had turned us away The George were very friendly and provided a well needed refuel stop before continuing our walk. Traditional and cosy atmosphere, in a pretty thatched pub, good food, beer and service.
November 2008
Great all-rounder
Great food served here, with a huge choice to choose from and a good selection of Palmers ales. The staff and proprietor are very friendly and make you feel very welcome. As well as the bar/drinking area and restaurant there is a lovely snug with an open fire for cooler days/nights. Would definitely recommend.
The Half Moon (2 ¾ miles)
A grade II 17th Century thatched village pub, the award winning Half Moon offers a seasonal menu and daily specials crafted with local produce. With proud oak beams and cosy inglenooks, this pub is perfect for all months with a suntrap beer garden for the summer and roaring open fires in the winter. Dogs are welcome and there is a play corner for kids too.
Mrs Scammell January 2011
At last our pretty, thatched pub with its lovely garden has the publican it deserves with a young, local couple taking over. The chef has received AA Rosette awards at the other pubs where he has cooked, and his wife ensures there is a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The food is certainly a cut above the usual pub fare, so much so that Dan, the chef has a dedicated army of followers and so booking for a meal is essential. Its not just for diners though. Popping in for a drink is much encouraged and the cottage garden with lovely views makes it the perfect place for a summer pint.
Royal Oak (3 ¼ miles)
A traditional village pub with warming real fires in winter and a beer garden for the summer months. Here you'll find a varied menu, excellently cooked and beautifully presented. There's a good wine choice and service is friendly and efficient. You'll also find a skittle alley for family entertainment. The pub has limited opening times so you may wish to check with them before planning a visit. Bookings are advisable particularly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Mrs Ward October 2020
Katrina ward
Excellent food at very reasonable prices
Forde Abbey and Gardens (6 ½ miles)
A former Cistercian monastery dating back to the 1100s. The gardens are breathtaking, while inside must-sees include the cloisters and the upper refectory.
Mrs Gore November 2020
Gardens
House closed because of Covid but the gardens are lovely. Don’t miss the fountain - a must see!
Mrs Barnett July 2018
A lovely place to visit.
We’ve just had a very pleasant few hours at Forde Abbey on a scorching hot day. The house is very interesting to walk around and the gardens are beautiful, it’s worth waiting to see the fountain, especially if you stand downwind of it on such a hot day.
The ginger cake in the cafe was a great way to end our visit.
Mrs Downey July 2017
A place to unwind
We visited these delightful gardens as part of a circular walk from Thorncombe village. It was the perfect place for a leisurely lunch followed by a stroll around the gardens before continuing on our way. The highlight of the day.
Mrs Mackintosh July 2011
Well worth a visit
We really loved the gardens and the interior. It was the highlight of our week. We spent several hours there and felt there was plenty to see both in the house and gardens. The tearoom provides excellent lunches for those who want to make a day of it.
Mrs Avis January 2010
Stately home and splendid gardens
Fascinating former abbey dating back to 12thC. One of the greatest Westcountry gardens (according to Alan Titchmarsh), plant sales and a good restaurant serving really local food from the estate. A good day's outing.
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