First Impressions
I have wanted to stay at Outbuildings in Dorset for some time. So I had really high expectations for our visit. When we arrived, we received a warm welcome from Ed, and he instantly made us feel special and excited about our stay. He gave us a tour of the site to see the other properties and where the cinema and hot tub were located, before showing us to our room. Outbuildings is based on a farm and over the years they have renovated the old barns into wonderful places to stay. It’s also the perfect location to explore the Dorset countryside and seaside. It’s a family affair here and everyone has a role to play which makes it feel even more special.
Interiors
The interiors in the barns are special as most of the soft furnishings have been made or upcycled by Karen. This gives everything a special touch. They have created a wonderful mix of luxury and comfort in the rooms so you instantly felt at home. Another great feature is that they buy a lot of the furniture and decorations locally from markets and restore them to give them a new lease of life. Even the way the Hay Barn Cinema is decorated shows you this family knows what they are doing.
Rooms
We stayed in the Sty which I picked due to the outside area. There is a BBQ outside so whether you need warming up in the winter, toast marshmallows in the evening, or fancy a summer BBQ it’s a great place to sit and listen to the birds. While outside, you may be greeted by the owner’s adorable dogs, Cassie and Oscar, and even the friendly chickens. When you step inside there is a beautiful handmade kitchen in one corner. They provide all the facilities so you can rustle up meals during your stay. The most comfortable king-size bed takes centre stage in the room as well as a cosy sofa to snuggle on. The Sty also comes with a bath, so you can soak your day away after exploring the glorious countryside.
Make sure you try out the candles in the room. They are made by a local company, The Rhubarb Candle Company, and are all-natural and smell incredible. We had the Dark Honey and Tobacco candle which I wasn’t sure if I would like the smell of. As soon as we lit it though, I fell in love with the smell. It’s since become my favourite and I have bought it to recreate the smell at home.
Other rooms
There are 3 other barns to stay in which all have a similar style as the Sty. Some come with fabulous views across the sheep fields and rolling hills. Their newest creation, The Coop is one not to miss! It’s a converted Chicken Coop with an American barn twist and luxury doesn’t come close to describing this place. The outside space is fantastic, from the outside bathtub to soak up the views of the rolling hills and the firepit to cosy up to in the evenings. When you walk inside you are welcomed by a cosy living area with a kitchen and king bed on the mezzanine. This is one to add to your list and I can’t wait to come back and stay here.
Extras
Outbuildings have been so clever with their offerings for your stay meaning you never have to leave the site. From food to fun activities, they have everything you could want to make your stay memorable. When we arrived, we were welcomed with some fantastic local cocktails which were to die for. Yes, they come in a can, but this isn’t the normal cocktails in a tin you may have had before. They were all packed full of flavour and we could have kept drinking them the whole holiday. We decided to get the Veggie-Q hamper one night, which you can cook on your BBQ outside. As everything is homemade, it was all so delicious. It comes with everything you need for a BBQ with salads, kebabs, and brownies to finish.
They have a great range of activities on offer too. Our first night we did the Hay Barn Cinema which was one of the best experiences we have ever done. In the hay barn sits an old sheep cart filled with heated blankets, cushions, and fairy lights. They provide a selection of yummy snacks to enjoy while you watch a film of choice. We also opted to add on Karen’s homemade gin which was so tasty. This is a great, romantic, and one-off experience that I would 100% recommend you book for your stay.
The next night we headed to the woods for a dip in the hot tub under the stars. Set away from the rest of the barns is the wood-fired hot tub which is surrounded by twinkly lights and nothing but the stars as company. Why not upgrade to the Champagne package for an even more romantic evening. They also offer The Orchard experience, which unfortunately we didn’t get around to, but one we will be back to do. From 2-10 pm you have full access to a romantic setting filled with a hammock, games, a cosy converted land rover, and a picnic. This is another romantic spot and has been known for proposals.
Overall Impressions
Wow, just wow! You will be so impressed and blown away by this whole place. From the family that runs it, the fabulous extras, and the style of the farm and barns, it really is somewhere so special. Another wonderful feature is that dogs can stay, which sometimes when you come across places like this, they don’t allow dogs, so it’s great that they can come along too. I honestly can’t recommend staying here enough and would definitely recommend you add some of the extras on, to make your stay even more perfect.
Nearby
Bridport
Just a short drive away is the market town of Bridport. There are some gorgeous places to pop into for a shop such as Chilli by the sea, Home Boheme and Things I like. They also have a fabulous market on Saturday mornings which is worth visiting if you can. If you fancy something to eat then Dorshi, Gelateria Beppino or Bella’s is where I would head to.
Lyme Regis
If you are wanting the seaside, wonderful places to eat, and amazing shops to spend your money in, then head to Lyme Regis. Walk along the seafront for some quirky homes to admire while you dip your feet in the sea. Fancy some shopping? Then my favourites are Molesworth and Bird, Indica, and Ryder and Hope. For some delicious food then The Lyme Bay has great views of the sea, Millside is wonderful for some fine dining or The Whole Hog for hearty meaty lunches.
Abbotsbury
Abbotsbury is a sweet village full of picturesque cottages so it’s a nice place to have a walk and explore. They have a Swannery in the village which is set within an 11th-century monastery and is home to 600 mute swans. Or head to their Subtropical Gardens to experience rare plants and feel like you are a million miles away from Dorset.
Branscombe to Beer walk
Although technically we have now headed into Devon, it’s still just a short drive away and is great if you want to do a coastal walk. It’s around 3 miles each way and whichever place you start, you can have a drink or ice cream to reward yourself halfway around. It’s a lovely walk full of outstanding views across the coastline and out to sea. Closer to Branscombe you can walk along the beach to mix it up but prepare for a calf killer as it’s a stoney beach.
West Lulworth
Although this is about an hour away, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are some of the most iconic features in Dorset and worth a visit. You can park up at Lulworth Cove and then take the short but steep walk over the cliff tops and down to Durdle Door. You can make this walk longer and carry on the South West Coast path or just head back and stop for a drink back at Lulworth Cove.
Burton Bradstock to West Bay Walk
This is a lovely walk to do as you can walk along the clifftop one way and then back along the beach. Its fairly up and down and can be steep in some places but there are lots of chances to stop and take in the view. If you start at Burton Bradstock you can fill up on food at The Hive Café. The walk takes you along the coast path, through fields and following a golf course before you descend into West Bay. There are plenty of places here for lunch so you can take your time exploring before heading back along the sandy beach.
Symondsbury Estate shop and walk
The Symondsbury Estate is a wonderful estate that has its own farm shop, art gallery, cafe, and more. Once you have spent some time exploring the shops and site, head to Culver’s Hill for a walk. Culver’s Hill sits high above the surrounding hills and once you reach the top you get 360 views of the countryside and sea. On your way back down, head to Hell lane for a creepy walk under the trees and their roots.
For more information on Dorset, check out our mini guide to Dorset or our quick guide for a trip to Dorset.
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