“A slice of old England served with China tea. With pretty gardens bordering the river, The Priory is a delightful and luxury historic hotel on the edge of Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck.”
“A slice of old England served with China tea. With pretty gardens bordering the river, The Priory is a delightful and luxury historic hotel on the edge of Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck.”
Hotel Review
Tucked away between Wareham’s church and the River Frome, this charming and luxurious hotel — once a monastery — has an idyllic setting. The attractive main building houses the majority of the individually-styled bedrooms, while the riverside Boat House is home to four further — and equally comfortable — suites. An immaculate lawn runs down to the river while, hidden away, in the expansive gardens, guests will find secluded benches amongst the roses, kitchen garden and croquet lawn. The spacious restaurant is a newer addition to the hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto a terrace and gardens. The menu is inventive with a French twist. From breakfast through to dinner, guests are extremely well looked after by a team who ensure that the attention to detail is second-to-none. An enchanting and peaceful quintessentially English hotel.
Written by Helena Hamlyn
Recommended For
- Local exploring
- From the Saxon town walls of the ancient market town of Wareham to the rolling Dorset countryside there is plenty to see.
- Other Activities
- In the summer months there is nothing better than sitting on the terrace with a drink and watching the river pass, bliss.
- Great walks
- The lovely gardens slope down to the River Frome, a perfect starting point for an afternoon stroll.
- Sights nearby
- Check out nearby Corfe village with the spectacular ruins of Corfe Castle, only a few miles away.
- Wine tasting
- The hotel cellar boasts some 200 vintages, be sure to do some sampling while you're here.
- Croquet
- Make the most of the on site croquet lawn in the summer months.
- Restrictions on children
- Not under 14
- Views
- Intimate
- Country House
- Sit-out Terrace
- Full of character
- Good wine list
- House party feel
- Traditional
- Restaurant
- Riverside
- Chic
- Antiques
- Quirky
- Romantic
- Exclusive use
- Charming
- Luxury
- Four poster beds
Facilities
- Garden
- Idyllic garden leading down to the River Frome
- Parking
- Parking available on site for a fee.
- Restrictions on children
- Not under 14
- Views
- Bar
- In room DVD
- Outdoor dining
- Meeting Room
- No pets
- Not suitable for disabled guests
- Sit-out Terrace
- Good wine list
- Restaurant
- Sitting Room
- Room service
- Suites
- Satellite / Cable TV
- In room music system
- Four poster beds
- Wifi
Activities
- Other Activities
- In the summer months there is nothing better than sitting on the terrace with a drink and watching the river pass, bliss.
- Great walks
- The lovely gardens slope down to the River Frome, a perfect starting point for an afternoon stroll.
- Sights nearby
- Check out nearby Corfe village with the spectacular ruins of Corfe Castle, only a few miles away.
- Wine tasting
- The hotel cellar boasts some 200 vintages, be sure to do some sampling while you're here.
- Croquet
- Make the most of the on site croquet lawn in the summer months.
Map & Location
What's Nearby
See What They Say
Why do people love staying in your hotel? Guests come to us to enjoy a calming, relaxing atmosphere, in a beautiful location as well as enjoy fine food and our high levels of service. People stay with us because they appreciate attention to detail, unique, one off interiors and a quintessentially British experience.
What is there to do in the area? We are in the heart of the Purbecks and on the doorstep of the Jurassic Coast so there is no shortage of things to do. We are a 15 minute drive from a number of famous, sandy beaches. There is the forest, coastal walks and of course our gardens to explore.
What kind of breakfast do you offer? We offer a full English breakfast as well as many alternatives including continental.
Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We offer a la carte lunch and a set menu for dinner (we offer a treat yourself menu alongside both these menus). We also offer a snack menu for guests. There are plenty of local eateries to explore, but we refrain from making recommendations as it is a personal taste.
Which are your most popular room types, and why? Our Boathouse suites are always popular with their terrace and 3 have river views. Rooms in the main house with views across the main lawn and down to the river are very popular too.
What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? We do not accept children in the hotel under 14 years of age.
Other Reviews
The Priory Hotel
"Many original features have been retained, lending much in the way of character. Interiors, although grand, are cosy and include a real log fire in the ornate drawing room."
Originally published by The Telegraph (view article)
