“This former Georgian inn in the middle of Hardy country oozes casual elegance. Retire to stylish rooms upstairs after dinner in the first-rate restaurant. Great service and classy accommodation without the high price tag.”
“This former Georgian inn in the middle of Hardy country oozes casual elegance. Retire to stylish rooms upstairs after dinner in the first-rate restaurant. Great service and classy accommodation without the high price tag.”
Hotel Review
One of Shaftesbury’s oldest inns, The Grosvenor Arms, has lived through many guises and owners since it first appeared on maps in 1553. Today it stands, an imposing building, in the centre of the charming town of Shaftesbury, just round the corner from the iconic Gold Hill which featured in the Hovis adverts. A large well-stocked bar provides comfy leather seating and live music at weekends so the hotel can get busy. Overlooking a courtyard, there’s a spacious rustic-style restaurant beyond serving spruced up classics such as Cornish mussels with local cider, spiced chicken with quinoa, pizza and butternut squash gnocchi with ricotta and picked enoki mushrooms. Rooms are generously proportioned, painted in soothing shades with roll top baths and rainfall showers. Staff are friendly and helpful and the overall vibe is relaxed and informal. On Saturday mornings, the sister hotel The Chapel of Bruton bring their bakery to the premises so guests can sample their delicious breads, cheese straws and signature cruffins - a unique marriage between a croissant and muffin. Highly recommended for a trip to Hardy country.
Written by Laura Campbell
Recommended For
- Sights nearby
- Walking distance to all Shaftesbury's sights
- Wine tasting
- Various events held throughout the year
- Local markets
- Other Activities
- Country Escape
- Great walks
- Golf
- Wildlife Area
- Pet friendly
- Dogs are allowed in all rooms and the bar. There's even a dog food menu available!
- Historic
- The Grosvenor Arms has been an inn since mediaeval times.
- Less £
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- Sit-out Terrace
- Good wine list
- Disabled access
- Restaurant
- Inn
- Child friendly
- Family Suites
- Free wifi
Facilities
- Pet friendly
- Dogs are allowed in all rooms and the bar. There's even a dog food menu available!
- Shops
- On site deli
- Internet
- Safe
- Bar
- Communal Dining
- Fireplace
- Rooms with balcony/terrace
- In room DVD
- Walking distance restaurants
- Outdoor dining
- Sit-out Terrace
- Cots available
- Private dining room
- Good wine list
- Disabled access
- Restaurant
- Child friendly
- Sitting Room
- 24 Hour room service
- Family Suites
- Suites
- Satellite / Cable TV
- In room music system
- Wifi
- Free wifi
- Air conditioning
- Bath robes
Activities
- Sights nearby
- Walking distance to all Shaftesbury's sights
- Wine tasting
- Various events held throughout the year
- Local markets
- Other Activities
- Great walks
- Golf
- Wildlife Area
Map & Location
What's Nearby
See What They Say
Why do people love staying in your hotel? The Grosvenor Arms is a relaxed bolthole getaway set in the historic town of Shaftesbury. The interiors reflect the individuality of the hotel and there are numerous spaces for guests to relax and enjoy a weekend away. The Grosvenor Arms dates back to the 1820s but the interiors use a palette of natural colours spiced up with jolts of colour and texture. What is there to do in the area? Shaftesbury itself has plenty of inns, cafes and restaurants and there are many small boutique shops and buckets of history. Whilst the famous Gold Hill is 100m away, guests can wander around the old Saxon hill top fort, the Abbey from King Alfred’s day, and on market days, the market and farmers market. The magnificent houses of Wilton, Longleat, Sherborne Castle, Stourhead and Kingston Lacey are between 20 to 30 minutes away. The hotel can organise riding, fishing, hunting, golf or cycling for guests which are all in close proximity. What kind of breakfast do you offer? Continental breakfast with fruit juices, homemade muesli, cereals, cured & smoked meats, English cheeses, fresh fruit, pastries and locally produced yogurts. Or you can order from the kitchen from a selection of Full English (Eggs cooked to your liking, bacon & sausage from Sydling Organic, black pudding, grilled tomato, field mushrooms, fried bread). Organic free range eggs (cooked to your liking) on sourdough toast with smoked salmon from The Chesil Smokery or bacon. Chorizo & potato hash, fried duck egg. Grilled kippers from The Chesil Smokery, lemon butter. Eggs Benedict, Royal or Florentine. Toast & local preserves or porridge & double cream. All accompanied by tea and coffee, or something a little stronger if you'd prefer. Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? The bar, deli and courtyard are open all day, and the restaurant from 12- 2.30pm and 6.30 to 9pm. Our relaxed restaurant serves the finest ingredients, simply, but whenever possible, seasonal, local, wild and organic. Our wood oven produces the best thin crust pizzas, and the most delicious slow cooked shoulder of pork… Take your choice to sit at either oak tables in the Conservatory, a relaxed zinc topped table in the deli or the most comfortable leather banquettes in the restaurant. We also have a Dog Food menu available upon request. Which are your most popular room types, and why? Our most popular rooms are our Deluxe Rooms because as well as being incredibly spacious they are located on our top floor overlooking the Commons and Shaftesbury High Street. A lot of our regular guests request these rooms. What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? We hope to welcome you to the Grosvenor Arms soon.
