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Langtry Manor. Bournemouth
“I was a country girl, fresh from the Isle of Jersey, thrust by a freak of fortune into the heart of London’s gayest society.”
And yet Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, the clergyman’s daughter from the Channel Islands, became one of the most feted British actresses of the time. She is, of course, better known as Lillie Langtry: star of such plays as The Degenerates.
But it is more for her long-
Infatuated by Lillie, Edward purchased a plot of land in the quiet area of Bournemouth’s East Cliff where she could oversee the building of their very own country retreat -
The house is almost exactly the same now as it was then: The King’s chamber with its high ceiling to disperse cigar smoke; the large doors of the Langtry Suite to accommodate the wide dresses; the spy-
Indeed, almost everywhere you look at The Langtry Manor Hotel you’re likely to find artefacts and inscriptions connected to a love affair which engrossed late-
The Abbot’s House. Charmouth
Built by the last Abbott of Forde Abbey, this medieval house only became a hotel in the last century when it was named the Queens Armes -
Previous to that it had been an inn, and it is widely believed that the future King Charles II awaited passage to France.
Restored in 2007, it provides four double or twin rooms, each named after figures connected to the locality: Thomas Hardy, Mary Anning, James Crowden and Thomas Chard.
Learn more about this fascinating place at
The Acorn Inn
“She [Tess of the d’Urbevilles] dipped down a hill by a transverse lane into the small town or village of Evershead, being now about halfway over the distance. She made a halt here, and breakfasted a second time, heartily enough-
And the very place that tragic Tess avoided in fiction was this fine little country inn that Thomas Hardy would have known in real life.
Offering ten en-
More Period and Historic Accommodation in Dorset...
Beaminster
Bridge House Beaminster, The. This medieval building is around 700 hundred years old and was formerly a priest’s house. Today it offers 14 en suite bedrooms, including accommodation in a converted coach house. Read reviews and check availability through Booking.com | Expedia
Seaborough Manor. A former farmhouse, said to date from the 14th century, now offering bed and breakfast accommodation. LateRooms
Seaborough Manor. A former farmhouse, said to date from the 14th century, now offering bed and breakfast accommodation. LateRooms
Blandford Forum
The Anvil Inn. Situated in the little village of Pimperne little over a mile to the north of Blandford Forum, The Anvil Inn is a pretty thatched property dating from the 16th century. It offers 12 guest bedrooms, a restaurant and a bar. Booking.com
Bournemouth
The Norfolk Royale Hotel. The present hotel was formed by combining two large villas in 1870 to create what was then known as Stewart’s Hotel. However, during the late 19th century, it became extremely popular with the 15th Duke and Duchess of Norfolk who came to accept it as a Summer retreat. As such, this four star hotel was renamed the Norfolk Royale in 1910. Booking.com | LateRooms | Lastminute.com
Christchurch
Christchurch Harbour Hotel. A landmark, Grade-II listed, Regency building offering a state of the art spa. Lastminute.com
Cranborne
La Fosse. Part of this building (the rear) is said to be formed from an old farmhouse which is reputed to have accommodated the entourage of King John while he stayed at the nearby manor. The front of the building, however, is Victorian. Expedia
Dorchester
Best Western Kings Arms. Dating back to 1720, the Kings Arms is said to have been previously patronised by both Queen Victoria and George IV. Booking.com | The King’s Arms
Wessex Royale Hotel. A Georgian townhouse dating back to 1756. Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Wessex Royale Hotel. A Georgian townhouse dating back to 1756. Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Lyme Regis
The Royal Lion. Dating from the 17th century, this former coaching inn is only a stone’s throw from the beach and ideally located for exploring the Jurassic Coast. Booking.com
Poole
The Antelope Inn. Much of this hotel is still formed by the original 15th century coaching inn. But the place owes as much to the sea as it does the road. Booking.com | LateRooms | The Antelope
Powderstock
Marquis of Lorne Inn. A pretty 16th century inn offering bed & breakfast accommodation in rural West Dorset. LateRooms
Shaftesbury
Best Western The Royal Chase Hotel. The original Tudor building that would have stood on the site is long gone, but the existing hotel is still some 250 years old. The house also has a curious past as a turn of the century monastery. Booking.com | LateRooms
Sturminster Newton
Plumber Manor. Owned and run by the very same family who built it in the early seventeenth century, the hotel provides accommodation in both the main house and a beautifully restored barn. Expedia
Wareham
Priory, The. Constructed in the early sixteenth century from stone used in even older buildings which once stood on the site, The Priory offers 18 en suite rooms and over four acres of cottage gardens. Expedia
Winkton
The Fisherman’s Haunt. Situated near the town of Christchurch, The Fisherman’s Haunt dates from 1673. Read reviews and check availability with Booking.com | LateRooms
For more period accommodation try our sections on Historic Holiday Cottages and Beautiful English Villages
Do you know of any more historic places to stay in Dorset? If so we would very much like to hear from you. We believe we have highlighted some amazing accommodation with some genuine historical pedigree, but are keen to make Nights In The Past the best resource for heritage travel on the internet. All types are eligible, be they medieval manor houses, boutique hotels on the Jurassic Coast, or traditional inns in ‘Thomas Hardy Country’. They should, however, offer first-rate hospitality in all cases.
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Historic Hotels in Dorset
If you can’t find it below, see all Dorset hotels at LateRooms, Booking.com, Lastminute.com, Hotels.com
The Acorn Inn
The Bridge House, Beaminster
The Priory at Wareham
