“A superb Georgian façade announces this West Country bolthole, steps from the Abbey in Sherborne. The elegant guest rooms are dressed in heritage furnishings, in keeping with the 18th-century property; book a luxury room for a four-poster bed or the three-bedroom cottage with hot tub.”

Hotel review

Sherborne is a lively market town in north west Dorset, in South West England. With the renovation of The Eastbury Hotel & Spa in 2018 this town, sited on the River Yeo, has become a destination in its own right. Just over 2 hours by train from London (you definitely don't want to sit in Friday traffic) The Eastbury is an idyllic spot to come to for a mid-week break or weekend; during the summer enjoy Pimms in the garden and in the winter cosy-up in the bar. The hotel is just a hop and skip from the Abbey, cafés and shops - if you love cashmere and bright happy colours, you'll love the shop Circus. Five new Potting Shed Suites (all named after herbs) have been added in the garden bringing the total of rooms to 26, the other rooms have a manor house feel and are in the main building. Large, with an outdoor sitting area complete with fire pit, the Potting Shed Suites are contemporary hideouts kitted out with high tech features including TVs disguised as mirrors, mist-proof bathroom mirrors, in-built USB chargers and electric blackout blinds for the ceiling windows (though we rather like the idea of leaving these open so you're woken up gently by natural daylight). It's not all about the tech: the glass doors are trifold so they open wide allowing you to enjoy the heat from the outdoor fire pit whilst enjoying the comfort of your suite. The en-suite shower rooms boast wet room showers and products from The White Company. Bring your four-legged friends, there are 9 dog-friendly rooms here and one of the Potting Shed Suites has disabled access. Cream teas and Afternoon Teas available from 1st April when the cocktail bar will be back in action every night and light lunches are served every day. The spa, with its eco-friendly plant-covered glass roof, is hidden away at the bottom of the garden, the only giveaway is the bubbling outdoor hot tub at the entrance. Small and perfectly formed the spa has everything you need for your very own private retreat (you book the whole place out for yourself). Relax in the indoor or outdoor hot tub, or head to the sauna or steam room for some down time before enjoying a Caudalie facial in one of the two treatment rooms. Get here as early as possible to enjoy the town and soak up Thomas Hardy’s Dorset.

Lulu Townsend
Lulu Townsend Review published: 21/10/2024

Recommended for

  • Local exploring

    • Head into Sherborne for local exploring, where you can find boutique shopping, the historic Abbey and endless antique galleries
  • Romantic Break

    • Couples rate the well-appointed rooms at this heritage hotel.
  • Spa

    • Eastbury Spa by Amelia Rose and Caudalie is set in the walled garden & offers a hydrotherapy pool and wide range of treatments.
  • Great walks

    • Discover the beautiful Dorset countryside with a long walk; take the North Dorset Trailway for marked routes
  • Sights nearby

    • Head into the neighbouring town to visit Sherborne Castle and the medieval ruins of Sherborne Old Castle
  • Self catering to rent

    • Three bedroom cottage recently renovated with garden hot tub. Hotel service available.
  • Disabled access

    • One of the new Potting Shed Suites has disabled access and extra large entrance.
  • Pet friendly

    • Pets are allowed in the four doggy friendly rooms. Charges will be applicable
  • Museums

    • Spend an afternoon at The Haynes Motor Museum, perfect for a family day out
  • Full of character

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Boutique

  • Family Suites

  • Romantic

  • Intimate

  • Luxury

  • Charming

  • Traditional

  • Wellbeing

  • Historic

  • Child friendly

  • Chic

Facilities

  • Rooms

    26 rooms in this hotel
  • Spa

    Eastbury Spa by Amelia Rose and Caudalie is set in the walled garden & offers a hydrotherapy pool and wide range of treatments.
  • Self catering to rent

    Three bedroom cottage recently renovated with garden hot tub. Hotel service available.
  • Disabled access

    One of the new Potting Shed Suites has disabled access and extra large entrance.
  • Pet friendly

    Pets are allowed in the four doggy friendly rooms. Charges will be applicable
  • Parking

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Garden

  • Billiard/pool table

  • Meeting Room

  • Bar

  • Family Suites

  • Child friendly

  • Wifi

  • Suites

  • Room service

  • Sitting Room

Activities

  • Great walks

    • Discover the beautiful Dorset countryside with a long walk; take the North Dorset Trailway for marked routes
  • Sights nearby

    • Head into the neighbouring town to visit Sherborne Castle and the medieval ruins of Sherborne Old Castle
  • Museums

    • Spend an afternoon at The Haynes Motor Museum, perfect for a family day out

Map & Location

See what they say

Why do people love staying in your hotel? The Eastbury Hotel & Spa is a real home from home.

What is there to do in the area or on site? On Site: Play cards or chess in one of the two guest lounges. We have croquet, table tennis, a large chess set and badminton in our garden. Or simply sit back in our deck chairs. Have a private dining experience in our pod. Choose a Spa treatment or use our Spa facilities. In the area: The Eastbury Hotel & Spa is a short walk to the town centre. Full of independent shops, you will find something surprising and unique. Sherborne Abbey and Old & New Castle are walking distance too. Jurassic coast 30 minutes away in the car. Surrounded by stunning gardens: Sherborne Castle Gardens, Stourhead, Minterne, Abbotsbury and The Newt.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Our buffet table has a wide selection of fresh & dried fruits, muesli & cereals, along with Natural yoghurt from Blackmore Vale Dairy, there are also croissants, muffins and farmhouse bread to give you the best possible start to your day. We also offer a variety of cooked breakfast; from a traditional English breakfast to blueberry pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Yes we offer breakfast, lunch and dinner in our award-winning Seasons Restaurant. Lots of lovely places to eat. The Green, The Cross Keys & The Clock Spire. Which is your most popular room, and why? Our 9 dog friendly rooms because people love bringing their pooches away with them!

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? Inside and outside games. Some of our rooms can facilitate extra beds. Quince is a popular room for families. Double bed and twin in Quince but separate rooms.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Come to the Eastbury Hotel & Spa for comfort and elegance wrapped in West Country Charm

Other reviews

The Eastbury Hotel

Sherborne, known for posh schools and the Abbey at its heart, is a snapshot of Thomas Hardy’s Dorset. At the Eastbury, you are warmly welcomed into a Georgian-inspired country townhouse, where the garden begs for summer cocktails and the locally-focused restaurant keeps you well-fed.

Originally published by The Telegraph

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