Blandford Forum is a charming market town on the River Stour, known for having so much Georgian architecture, that it’s one of the most complete Georgian towns in England. As well as looking beautiful, Blandford Forum is known for its brewery, Hall & Woodhouse, for its huge annual, week-long, summer steam fair, and its farmer’s market. The best places to stay in Blandford Forum have been converted from elegant Georgian buildings, including the King John Inn, which is a charming country pub with an excellent restaurant.

Blandford Forum also makes an excellent base for exploring a bit further into this part of Dorset. Italianate charmer, Kingston Lacey, known for its art collection and Egyptian artefacts is just a short drive, as are the pretty villages of Shaftsbury and Wimborne, and you’re also not far from the thrills of the Jurassic Coast.

If you’re thinking the best places to stay in Blandford Forum may make a romantic mini-break choice, you’re spot on. Attractions in town include the Blandford Fashion Museum, and the Royal Signals Museum, along with the numerous regular markets, the shopping, great cafes, bars and restaurants, and extremely romantic architecture. And, of course, the brewery. And the myriad of potential walking routes around Blandford Forum.

The Best Places to Stay in Blandford Forum

Best Pubs with Rooms

• The Crown Hotel is a gorgeous pub with rooms, right in the centre of town. Rooms are traditional in style, yet at the same time feel very fresh and contemporary. The best come with copper tubs and four poster beds. Downstairs there's a buzzing bar and restaurant where you can feast on pub classics. It's family friendly too with three family suites.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• The closest international airport to Blandford Forum is Bristol Airport, which is about an hour and twenty minutes away by car or taxi, or about four hours away by train and bus. Which puts it in a comparable journey time with London’s airports: London City Airport is two and a half hours away by car or taxi, and about four and a half hours away by public transport via Bournemouth; and Heathrow is an hour and fifty minutes away by car or taxi, and just under four hours by bus. If you’re coming from central London by train you can get the journey down to under three hours.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• The biggest event in Blandford Forum’s social calendar is the Great Dorset Steam Fair, held around the late summer Bank Holiday weekend. There are around 2000 exhibits making up the Fair, including an old fashioned steam funfair, and it’s lively and colourful event. This is the most popular time to visit, and it’s certainly great weather for it too, with long days and plenty of sunshine. Spring is also a good time for visiting Dorset, when museums and attractions are just gearing themselves up, and there are plenty of sunny days. Spring is also a great time of year for walkers and hikers. Whenever you choose to visit it’s worth remembering that Dorset’s weather can be unpredictable, so bring layers and rain gear.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Dorset?
• Consider some of the best places to stay in nearby Poole, Salisbury or Yeovil?
• You could focus your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for, and consider just Dorset’s best country house hotels? the best pubs-with-rooms in Dorset? Dorset’s best B&Bs? or the best hotels for families in Dorset? 
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.