Picture perfect.
A fabulous space for socialising together.
You'll want for nothing more at The Old Dairy.
Super-comfy and cosy.
Little ones will simply love this play area! Please ensure they are supervised. Please note that as of November 2021, the play equipment is being moved just the other side of the fence, in to the owners’ garden but will still be easily accessible.
Gorgeous!
Let the sunshine in!
A sociable space in which to relax.
This bed can be set up as a king-size double or two small singles; perfect for everyone.
Total relaxation is on the menu.
Snuggle down with a good book.
Everything is beautifully finished.
Peeking through to the bathroom.
The friendly owners live next door in the thatched house but you have plenty of privacy.
Time to relax...
Sit back and relax on the patio where you can keep a close eye on little ones too. Please note that as of November 2021, the play equipment is being moved just the other side of the fence, in to the owners’ garden but will still be easily accessible.
Please note the driveway is steep and gravelled.
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, famous parts of the Jurassic Coast, are just a short drive away.
Rural Dorset will win your heart.
The geology of the nearby coastline is spectacular.
Sherborne is a short drive away and boasts two castles.

The Old Dairy

4740

3.6 miles W of Blandford Forum / Sleeps 4 + cot

Book or Reserve Need more time? Reserve any cottage for up to 24 hours before booking

7 Nights from £548

The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.

Nearest pub

A beautiful thatched roofed pub with lovely sunny garden for al fresco dining. With real ales and home cooked food, this is a great place to visit.

Nearest beach

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Rockley Sands beach in Poole is a small sand and mud beach, with facilities including a cafe, shop, toilets, equipment hire and parking. There is also disabled access and the beach is dog-friendly all year. Swimming at low tide should not be attempted due to strong currents.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

April 2019

Not suitable for dogs

Not very dog friendly as too rocky at shore edge.

Nearest walk

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Bulbarrow Hill is probably the best known hill in Dorset and is a chalk hill site of an Iron Age hill fort - the name comes from barrows or burial mounds on the hill. Standing at 274m (899ft) high and giving the longest view in Dorset, with spectacular views over five counties, Bulbarrow Hill is the second highest point in Dorset and is a very popular beauty spot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

July 2011

Spectacular views over rolling country side. Breathtaking and unspoilt. The "top of the world".

Nearest town

One of Dorset’s larger market towns, Blandford Forum beautifully demonstrates the Georgian approach to architecture with wide, elegant streets and a large, square market place. Four museums, all kinds of shops and plenty of cafes and restaurants – you could happily lose days mooching about the town. There are some great opportunities for days out, too; the Dorset coast is a short drive away, enabling easy exploration of local gems like Durdle Door, Studland Bay and Chesil Beach.

Also nearby

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Visit the world-famous gardens at Stourhead and sit amongst tranquil scenes. Described as ‘a living work of art’, the gardens lead visitors on a breath-taking journey. Spend a while in the 18th Century Palladian villa and Hoare family home, before wending your way around the grounds, falling in love with the beautifully thought out landscapes and classical architecture.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

November 2021

Beautiful landscapes to explore

A short drive away and you're in the impressive landscape of Stourhead, with its magnificent trees, lake and iconic garden structures. We visited early November when the autumn colours were blazing. A perfect morning out, whether for a lazy amble round the lake or exploring the footpaths to viewpoints and monuments. Good National Trust cafe and shop too.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

June 2021

A highlight of our 5 night stay

We stayed in nearby Nunney for 5 nights. Stourhead was definitely our top pick. On a sunny day it was absolutely beautiful. The scenery is stunning and it was nice to have a well-earned ice-cream in the pretty courtyard of the pub after a good walk. There are plenty of spots for taking beautiful pictures. We'd be interested to return one Autumn or see it covered in snow too.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

October 2014

Magical!

This is the most beautiful place you can imagine - the walk around the lake, dropping into the various buildings and grottoes, is breathtaking. All I can say is you really must visit.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

September 2013

Superb

A wonderful must in Dorset. Great gardens and interesting house. Well worth a visit.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Crisp white table linen, impeccable service and fabulous food.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

September 2020

Amazing Food

If you are looking for something a bit more than pub food you can't beat Plumber Manor - the food is outstanding, very relaxed and in the present difficult circumstances excellent safety measures! Well worth a visit


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

July 2011

Excellent food in beautiful country house. In all guides. Welcoming atmosphere. A special night out.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

A traditional 250 year old pub, The Fox Inn specialises in seasonal countryside grub and sources its produce from the finest, local artisan suppliers. Home to an inviting bar and restaurant and doused with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, guests are invited lunchtimes and evenings. Carveries are served on Sundays from midday to 3pm.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

October 2015

We had two excellent meals here which were very good value for money. The staff are friendly and efficient and the atmosphere in the pub is welcoming. If you are there on a Tuesday evening you can even join in with the ukulele group!
My only quibble is that we were there in the first week of October and Christmas was already being advertised (menus etc.) Far too early...bah humbug!


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

July 2011

Very popular victorian pub. Excellent value Sunday carvery. Good all round pub.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The whole spectrum from chimpanzees and orangutans to marmosets - most have been rescued and all are incredible. This sanctuary does an amazing job at looking after the animals, yet allowing the public to enjoy them, without making too much of a spectacle. Fascinating, sad, heart-warming and fun - you can't tire of the monkey antics but there are impressive play parks for the kids to imitate the apes, should they so wish.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

August 2023

Monkey World Day Out

Very worthwhile even on a drizzly day. The sanctuary is very well put together. We had some wonderful encounters with the monkeys! Particularly the orang-utans and Mikado the golden cheeked monkey.. quite amazing - fascinating to watch!


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

August 2015

NOT a zoo-more a monkey rest home!

Had a fantastic day at Monkey World.We were a party of four with ages from 10 to 73 and to be honest the two older ladies didnt expect much.I can honestly say that every one of us thoroughly enjoyed everything about it(not least the wonderful monkeys!)Very well set up for disabled and spotlessly clean everywhere.Food good and not too expensive.All in all a great place to enjoy a day out.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

December 2013

Wowzers

If you like monkeys, this is the place to go. Initially we were disappointed as on a cold November day, the monkeys were keeping warm inside, plus we thought it was really small. But then we realised we were being silly and discovered the other 90% of park - amazing! It's big, beautiful and all about the monkeys. The monkeys are incredible and the work done at this sanctuary is heartwarming (though the back stories heartbreaking). It is primarily a rescue centre, not an entertainment venue, but there are play parks for the kids, picnic areas and shops. Highly recommended.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

May 2011

Great Day Out

Thoroughly recommend Monkey World - its fantastic but avoid busy holiday periods if you really want to study the primates.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

February 2009

Monkey World is a great day out for adults as well as kids! It's a rescue centre for all kinds of apes, so your visit is also doing some good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Named after the legendary Dorset cheese (Monty Python fans may recall it mentioned in the 'Cheese Shop Sketch'). The Blue Vinny has a great menu (naturally, featuring dishes such as sirloin steak glazed with Blue Vinny, with wild mushrooms and hand cut chips), and a lovely big beer garden to sleep it all off.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

August 2023

Great pub

5 minutes walk from the Beehive, it is friendly and dog-friendly. On a chilly evening being able to all sit inside is a bonus. Food was excellent value, with a more imaginative menu than many busy pubs manage. We ate there as often as we could.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

January 2023

Meal and drinks

Lovely meal with friendly staff

Articles | From around the area

Places to Go

Gardens in Dorset