Best wedding venues in Dorset

A commanding presence on the high street, this Georgian coaching inn has moved with the times, its interiors beautifully renovated, its bedrooms modern and well equipped, with casual dining in the bar and locally sourced dishes in the restaurant.

Summer Lodge, Evershot

'It's ‘fiercely expensive’, but this Relais & Châteaux hotel in a chocolate-box village doesn’t stint on the traditional country house luxuries, drapes, stripes, sofas and chandeliers, florals, antiques, paintings.

The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury

With its Tuscan columns and pedimented gable, this coaching inn appears solidly Georgian, but the interiors are contemporary, with well-equipped bedrooms, a clubby bar and dining room serving wood-fired pizzas and bistro-style dishes.

Moonfleet Manor, Fleet

A Georgian manor house above Chesil Beach, this is a dog- and people-friendly hotel designed for holidays and fun, catering to everyone from tinies to grown-ups with sophisticated tastes.

The Ollerod, Beaminster

Eclectic menus and stellar cooking are a big attraction at this 14th-century clergy house, now a restaurant-led hotel with recently renovated bedrooms that combine pale paint finishes with designer wallpaper.

La Fleur de Lys, Shaftesbury

Little has changed at this restaurant-with-rooms in its three decades, but spotless bedrooms with thoughtful touches, and a slightly retro gourmet dining experience have their own appeal.

Captain’s Club Hotel, Christchurch

Berthed on the banks of the Stour since 2006, this child-friendly, dog-friendly, glass-and-steel hotel, with the sleek lines of a cruise liner, was built for leisure.

The Acorn Inn, Evershot

Thomas Hardy fans will be in their element at this local watering hole in Dorset, which was the model for 'The Sow and Acorn’ in Tess of the d’Urbervilles.

The Green House, Bournemouth

Within strolling distance of the town and the beach is this eco-friendly hotel in a handsome Victorian clifftop villa.

The Pig on the Beach, Studland

There is a hint of Castle Gormenghast about this fairytale 1820s marine villa, with its jumble of roofs, gables, gargoyles, towers and dormers, in gardens running down to a sandy beach.

The Seaside Boarding House, Burton Bradstock

A playful mix of Edward Hopper’s Cape Cod and Edwardian seaside hotel, this white-painted villa above Chesil Beach has an easy-going stylishness, conducive to fun.

Hotels not in the Guide that you may want to consider

RNLI College

Poole

Set up as a training centre for RNLI volunteers, this purpose-built structure overlooks Holes Bay in Poole Harbour. Alongside crew members, visitors can stay in comfortable, jauntily decorated bedrooms (each with a double bed, work desk, seating and stunning view of the harbour). Breakfast and bistro food is served in the light and cheerful Riggers restaurant facing the waterfront; the Slipway bar has drinks and nibbles. Tours of the facility (which include a wave tank and simulator) can be pre-arranged. Every £1 spent goes towards providing equipment, training, and support for those saving lives at sea.

Check availability

historic
wifi
disabled_facilities
rooms_with_a_view
weddings
conferencemeeting_friendly

Where to find your wedding venue in Dorset

As far as scenic variety goes, Dorset has it all. A playground of beaches, unspoiled countryside, coastal views, forests and picturesque towns and villages, it has a wealth of options to offer all prospective brides and grooms to be on their wedding day.

Within easy reach of Exeter, London, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton, Dorset is home to historic castles, country house hotels, chic towns and cities and lots of B&Bs to accommodate weddings guests not staying a the location of the main event.

Bournemouth, newly named as the UK’s destination spa location is particularly famous for its beautiful beaches and excellent hospitality at the likes of The Green House, a Grade II listed Victorian villa close to the seafront. Alternatively, the likes of The Eastbury Hotel off the main street in Sherborne capitalises on that sense of tradition that the area’s history bequeaths.

In addition to the gorgeous views and plentiful things to do in Dorset (we suggest you and your guests make a long weekend of your wedding and really enjoy the surroundings), the area has bountiful food and drink that’s produced in the surrounding area. An area built on creativity and artisan delicacies, particularly fish and other seafood, and bakes such as Dorset Apple cake.

Naturally this tradition of gastronomy translates into the hotel offerings, so whether you choose a country or city hotel for your big day, you can guarantee that everyone will go home well fed and watered and having experienced the best of what this lovely area has to offer.

JOIN THE GHG

Get our free monthly newsletter, latest special offers, and updates. Join more than 14,000 other members.
Read more about it here

BUY THE 46th EDITION OF THE GUIDE

Buy the 46th Edition of the Guide to read reviews of 650 hotels.

Please note that the print edition no longer contains discount vouchers.

Buy the guide

The Inn at Whitewell

Best Review Wins A Free Night for Two!

Win a night’s stay including dinner and breakfast, at The Inn at Whitewell, Lancashire by SENDING A REVIEW of your favourite hotel or B&B in Britain or Ireland. See COMPETITION PAGE.

Submit a review

Best wedding hotel venues in Dorset