
Choosing to stay in a hotel near Monkey World, one of Dorset’s most popular attractions, will go down well with anyone with a love of animals. It also makes a great choice for families. Monkey World, near Wareham in southern Dorset, is not a zoo, but a world-renowned sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees and other primates, including orangutans, monkeys and gibbons. Often these animals have been kept as pets or used in circuses and theatres. We’ve scoured the are and found the best Dorset hotels near Monkey World, and many are family-friendly, too.
For a luxury hotel
- For a bit of luxury, our top choice would be the 16th-century Priory Hotel in Wareham. This 16th-century building has a classic English country-house style with flagstone floors, exposed beams, polished antiques and peaceful gardens sloping down to the River Frome. The stone-vaulted dining room is wonderfully romantic. Choose one of the bedrooms leading directly to the gardens.
Pubs with rooms

- If you want to combine walking with visiting Monkey World, The Scott Arms should fit the bill. Set in the Purbeck Hills, with views over Corfe Castle, this handsome village inn, with its creeper-covered frontage, is both charming and relaxing. It has just four cottagey bedrooms, plus regularly changing menus and, in summer, Caribbean-style dishes served in the garden.
- The family-friendly Castle Inn, close to the beaches around Lulworth Cove, is around eight miles from Monkey World, and makes a great base for enjoying both this attraction and the coast. With its thatched-roof, beams and exposed-stone walls it will enchant children, and the terraced gardens with wonderful views make a restful spot for the grown-ups.
Hotels on the coast

- Children over seven years old are welcome at The Limestone Hotel which, like the Castle Inn, is in the pretty village of West Lulworth. With a rural feel, and just 10 rooms, it has a light, contemporary style, popular restaurant and lovely garden with terrace. And the beaches are just 10-minute walk.
- If you prefer somewhere truly private and peaceful, take a look at Lulworth House, also in West Lulworth. With just two rooms, and tucked in sub-tropical gardens, it’s both charming and relaxing – as are the hosts. Bedrooms are big, bright and contemporary in style – one has French doors to the garden – while breakfasts are generous.
Still not sure?