“A Hardy-esque country house turned hotel, surrounded by lovely gardens and spectacular countryside. Luxurious rooms boasts elaborate floral fabrics and plush furnishings. The gourmet restaurant is not to be missed, nor the extensive bar. A cosy countryside base, complete with pool, spa and tennis. ”

Hotel review

This is Hardy country, and the man himself, as a local architect, enlarged the 18th century manor in 1893. Today it’s a deeply spoiling and generous country house hotel filled with a profusion of fabrics, gilt mirrors, brass fenders, globes, tartan cushions, swags and fringes galore, plus a world-class sommelier, a spa and electric buggies for the luggage. If the public rooms are a tad fussy for some, the bedrooms are deliciously pretty and supremely comfortable. A fulsome cream tea is laid out in the afternoon. Hardy-esque? Perhaps not; luxurious: most certainly.

Fiona Duncan
Fiona Duncan Review published: 26/02/2024

Recommended for

  • Foodies

    • The dream team of Head Chef Steven Titman and world-renowned Sommelier Eric Zwiebel make dinner an unforgettable experience.
  • Romantic Break

    • Let your romantic side out with candlelit hot tub sessions, in room champagne and rose petals on the bed.
  • Pet friendly

    • Dogs are welcome in several rooms and they offer many canine treats including beds, doggy menu, bowls and washing station!
  • Great walks

    • Borrow wellies for strolls around the English garden or the adjoining deer park teeming with wildlife and natural beauty.
  • Croquet

    • For a true English country house experience, guests are advised to hit the Croquet lawn with drink in hand.
  • Child friendly

    • Child menus and plenty of things to do including outdoor activities, plus wii and playstations with games!
  • Tennis

    • Guests are welcomed to use the hotel rackets for a Sunday afternoon knockabout on the courts.
  • Spa

    • As well as wide range of treatments the spa offers heated indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.
  • Other Activities

    • Indulge yourself with spa and massage treatments, followed by a dip in the indoor pool.
  • Wine tasting

    • The cellar boasts over 1 400 wines, 300 whiskeys and 100 brandies.
  • Cycling

    • Take one of the hotel bikes out for a spin around the country lanes.
  • Private Hot Tub

    • Ivy Cottage features a private outdoor hot tub.
  • Disabled access

    • One room on the ground floor
  • Good wine list

    • Top class sommelier
  • Gym

    • Small gym
  • Family Suites

  • Wedding license

  • Country House

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Wellbeing

  • Restaurant

  • Antiques

  • Free wifi

  • Traditional

  • Luxury

  • Four poster beds

  • Romantic

Facilities

  • Rooms

    24 rooms in this hotel
  • Pet friendly

    Dogs are welcome in several rooms and they offer many canine treats including beds, doggy menu, bowls and washing station!
  • Child friendly

    Child menus and plenty of things to do including outdoor activities, plus wii and playstations with games!
  • Spa

    As well as wide range of treatments the spa offers heated indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.
  • Private Hot Tub

    Ivy Cottage features a private outdoor hot tub.
  • Garden

    Four acres of immaculate lawns
  • Disabled access

    One room on the ground floor
  • Good wine list

    Top class sommelier
  • Hot Tub

    Indoor hot tub
  • Gym

    Small gym
  • Parking

  • Family Suites

  • Bar

  • Wedding license

  • Fireplace

  • In room DVD

  • Outdoor dining

  • Internet

  • Sauna/Steam

  • Meeting Room

  • Cots available

  • Massage

  • In room music system

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Restaurant

  • Swimming Pool

  • Sitting Room

  • Room service

  • 24 Hour room service

  • Suites

  • Safe

  • Concierge

  • Satellite / Cable TV

  • Air conditioning

  • Four poster beds

  • Wifi

  • Free wifi

Activities

  • Great walks

    • Borrow wellies for strolls around the English garden or the adjoining deer park teeming with wildlife and natural beauty.
  • Croquet

    • For a true English country house experience, guests are advised to hit the Croquet lawn with drink in hand.
  • Tennis

    • Guests are welcomed to use the hotel rackets for a Sunday afternoon knockabout on the courts.
  • Other Activities

    • Indulge yourself with spa and massage treatments, followed by a dip in the indoor pool.
  • Cycling

    • Take one of the hotel bikes out for a spin around the country lanes.
  • Wine tasting

    • The cellar boasts over 1 400 wines, 300 whiskeys and 100 brandies.

Map & Location

See what they say

Why do people love staying in your hotel? People are drawn to the intimacy of Summer Lodge which reflects the finest English country house charm. The Grade II Listed Relais and Chateaux property sits elegantly within the glorious countryside and picturesque village of Evershot, Dorsetshire, which featured prominently in Thomas Hardy novels. With beautifully appointed rooms and exquisite cuisine, guests return time and again. What is there to do in the area? Outside of the hotel spa and leisure facilities, the surrounding area lends itself perfectly to wonderful walks with incredible views all year round. For those that like to explore the coastline provides outstanding natural beauty, with Studland Bay, Portland Harbour, Lulworth Cove and Chesil Beach all within close proximity. For those that like to keep active, you can enjoy horse riding, cycling and an abundance of water based activities. What kind of breakfast do you offer? At Summer Lodge you are well taken care of when it comes to cuisine. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we offer a vast selection of choices whatever your preference from cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries, smoked salmon and an array of delicious hot options including a traditional full English breakfast. Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Our award winning restaurant, led by acclaimed Executive Chef Steven Titman, serves exceptional lunch and dinner menus, using fresh, seasonal produce sourced locally – even from our own vegetable and herb garden. Choose from the a la carte, surprise dining or tasting menu for a truly memorable dining experience. Serving traditional English dishes tempered with a twist of modern European flavours and ingredients, our passionate team produce dishes to satisfy any palette. Of course, our deliciously indulgent Afternoon Tea and traditional Dorset Cream Tea is served daily, with an array of tempting treats on offer. The nearby award winning Acorn Inn, is situated a few minutes walk from the hotel and is a fine example of traditional English pub cuisine. Which are your most popular room types, and why? Each of our beautifully appointed rooms and suites are individually designed, showcasing elegant style combined with 5* modern amenities. Some have views overlooking the garden or quiet village and our quaint Ivy cottage even has it’s own private garden and secret hot tub. What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Ranking amongst the finest country house hotels in England, we’re confident that Hotel Guru readers who appreciate fine hospitality, elegant style, warm service and exemplary cuisine will be left with memories to treasure.

Other reviews

Summer Lodge

"The drawing room, designed by Thomas Hardy himself, is admirably classic in style, now painted a pretty blue, and the bedrooms are divinely pretty and comfortable."

Originally published by The Telegraph

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel

"It's now a country house hotel of sumptuous, indeed fabulous, excess: its décor and furnishings so plumped and primped, so louche and luxuriant, that you find a tut-tutting puritan lurking in your conscience, muttering: "This is too much."

Originally published by Independent

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