Keepers Cottage

West Stafford, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8AA
Telephone: 01305 264389
Fax: 01305 264389
Mobile: 07979 316046
English Tourism Council 4 DIAMONDS SILVER AWARD for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Recommended in Dumont International Guide
Recommended in 'Faits x Projects' (un autre regard sur lemonde)
Recommended by Country Walking Magazine
Featured in: The Hardy Way, Margaret Marande
Hardy's Wessex Locations, Fred Pitfield and
Thomas Hardy's The Waiting Supper

E-mail Establishment

Keepers Cottage is set in a half acre of rural tranquility, a few minutes from Thomas Hardy's cottage, yet only two miles from the centre of the historic county town of Dorchester and just 10 minutes from the outstanding Dorset coast - the 'Jurassic Coastline' designated a world heritage site by Unesco.

Athelhampton House, Kingston Maurward and Hardy's house Max Gate are also close by.

The detached, character cottage in the very heart of Hardy's Wessex overlooks water meadows and provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside, unspoilt and so little changed since the days of Hardy.

There are just three charming, spacious and well-equipped bedrooms decorated to a high standard in a tasteful country style, whilst the antique brass, pine and French beds provide for a most comfortable and atmospheric stay.

Start your day with an AGA cooked traditional English or continental style breakfast, with many choices to suit your requirements, served in the dining room with its colour washed walls, antique pine furniture and views onto the cottage garden.

Dinner may be enjoyed at the local pub, 'The Wise Man', restored, refurbished and under new ownership from May 1st 2008. There are also local restaurants which likewise has been under new ownership since the start of 2008. Both are within easy walking distance, approx 1/2 mile. Just leave the car and relax! Dorchester also has many fine establishments to suit a variety of tastes.

Former London teachers Angie and Ray offer a warm welcome to all their visitors to this beautiful part of the country. Relax and enjoy tea and Dorset apple cake on arrival. Unwind amidst the wonderful pastoral scenes that surround you, immortalised as Thomas Hardy's 'valley of the great dairies'.

A special experience in a special place
Let us spoil you amongst unspoilt surroundings
From the moment you arrive you are our main concern
Help and advice is always ready to hand
We offer what we're all seeking ...TIME
Time to spend as you please, away from the madding crowd!

SPECIAL OFFER

3 nights for the cost of 2 Mondays to Thursdays,
November to February inclusive,
apart from Christmas period.

Selection of Visitors Comments

"Thank you for your wonderful hospitality! The peace and tranquility of your lovely home is priceless" - Chrissie, Manchester
"You have created a haven of peace" - Joyce, Isle of Wight
"We loved the swallows nestling in the doorway, the pheasants walking on the lawn, the house, the hosts and the lovely surroundings" - Steve & Christine, Birmingham
"What a find!!! Excellent hospitality, wonderful, comfortable room and very friendly hosts - see you again" - Lynne & John, Surrey
"Lovely place, wonderful breakfast and warmest welcome we have had. Wish we could have stayed more" - Alexandre & Helge, Berlin
"The loveliest B&B we have ever experienced" - Jan & Len, London.
"Best place in Northern hemisphere" - Hans, Australia.
"Thank you for so much beauty" - Anne, North Yorks.
"The loveliest B&B, great atmosphere, great view, great people, Thank you" - Stefania, Australia.
"So good to come home to. Once again you have given us great joy" - Harry & Margaret, Sydney.
"Thank god we found this place - 'tis wonderful" - Andrew and Susan, San Francisco
"Thank you, marvellous people - heaven on earth!" - Thomas and Andrea
"The friendliest B+B in the world!" - Lindsay and Mark, Notting Hill, London
"An amazing find, amazing attention to detail throughout - the perfect getaway! - Daniel and Sarah Chichester
"Serene, relaxing, enchanting" - Gavina and Gabby, London
"The most beautiful bed and breakfast and warm welcoming people that we have encountered in the UK" Matt and Alison, Sydney, Australia
"Best B&B ever!" Karen and Cliff, Surrey.
"So quiet, many birds, so many different flowers. All the things in all the rooms belong together" Dorothe, Holland.

History
Keepers Cottage was originally built as the game keeper's cottage to West Stafford Manor house, which remains our closest neighbour across pasture land and water meadows and is currently owned by the Oscar winning writer of the screen play for 'Gosford Park'.. Described as an imposing building of 1633, incorporating part of an earlier property which dates back to Norman times, it is mentioned in the Domesday Book as part of the village of Frome Belet.

Heart-halt and spirit-lame
City-opprest
Unto this wood I came
As to a nest;
Dreaming that sylvan peace
Offered the harrowed ease
Nature a soft release
From men's unrest

"In a Wood" from Thomas Hardy's, 'Wessex Poems' published by Macmillan

Local Places of Interest and Beauty

The historic Roman county town of Dorchester
Dorset County Museum, High West St. Dorchester
Hardy's Birthplace at Higher Bockhampton, approached via Thorncombe Wood
Hardy's House, Max Gate, on approach to Dorchester
Stinsford Church, reached by a picturesque walk along the bank of the River Frome
Kingston Maurward Gardens, entrance in Lower Bockhampton, passing Hardy's old school now a private residence
Athelhampton House and Gardens at Puddletown
Ilsington House and Gardens at Puddletown
Puddletown Forest at the rear of Hardy's Cottage
Maiden Castle, South West outskirts of Dorchester

Slightly further afield

10 minutes approximately:
Dorsets 'Jurassic coastline' - the new world heritage set
Moreton Church, Lawrence of Arabia's grave and his cottage at Clouds Hill
15 minutes approximately:
Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
20 minutes approximately:
Abbotsbury Swannery and Tropical Gardens
Cerne Abbas village and Cerne Giant
Chesil Beach
Lulworth Cove
Weymouth Old Harbour, especially by night!
25 minutes approximately:
Milton Abbas village
40 minutes approximately:
Sherborne Castle
Corfe Castle
Kingson Lacy
Cranborne Manor

Keepers Cottage

Recommended Garden Visits

Tintinhull /Hadspen - Gardens of Penelope Hobhouse
East Lambrook Manor - Garden of Margery Fish
Mapperton - Film location for 'Emma', 'Tom Jones' and 'Restoration'
Forde Abbey - Cistercian Monastic Building
Stourhead -18th century landscape garden
Compton Acres - Nine different gardens of the World
Montacute - Elizabethan House, formal gardens
Ivy Cottage - Outstanding stream-side cottage garden
Sticky Wicket - Designed for both colour theme and conservation
Lytes Cary Manor - N.T. house, walled gardens & estate
Knoll Gardens - specialists in grasses

Directions from M3 motorway

From M3 take M27 signposted 'Bournemouth & West'
A31 to Bere Regis
A35 to Dorchester
Continue on dual carriageway at the end of which (just prior to small fly-over) turn left signposted 'HIGHER BOCKHAMPTON'
Follow lane over small crossroads through hamlet of 'LOWER BOCKHAMPTON'.
KEEPERS COTTAGE is 1/2 mile further on left hand side, set back off road.

Directions from M4 motorway

Leave M4 at junctions 15 or 17
At junction 15 take A345 to Hungerford
A338 to Salisbury
A354 to Dorchester via Blandford
Join A35 dual carriageway and follow above directions through the Bockhamptons.

Directions from M5 motorway

Leave M5 at junction 23 on A39 signposted Glastonbury, Street, Wells and Bath
Take A39 to Glastonbury
A361 towards Shepton Mallet
A37 to Yeovil
Continue on A37 to Dorchester
A35 to Poole and Wareham
A352 to Wareham
Follow signs for 'West Stafford'
Turn left at junction to Lower Bockhampton and Hardy's Cottage
KEEPERS COTTAGE is 100 metres on right-hand side, set back off road.
London (Waterloo) to Dorchester South by rail 2 hrs 20 mins.Trains run hourly
There is also a service from Dorchester West station to Bath 1hr 40 mins. and Bristol 2 hrs.