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All you need to know
Surrounded by some of the area's most beautiful countryside this quintessential sleepy Dorset village is a real gem with two excellent pubs, fabulous walking and the Jurassic Coast just a short hop away.
Recently rated as among the '20 most beautiful villages in the UK and Ireland' by Condé Nast Traveler it’s easy to see why Powerstock is worthy of such an accolade with its quintessential Dorset stone and thatch cottages dotted along sleepy lanes surrounding the historic church and welcoming Three Horses pub.
Using your holiday cottage as a base, spend contented days exploring the stunning surrounding countryside on foot, taking in the iron age hill fort at Eggardon Hill and the Norman ruins of Powerstock Castle before looping back through the nearby hamlet of Nettlecombe where you’ll find another excellent pub, The Marquis of Lorne known for its excellent food. Powerstock Common Nature Reserve is also on your doorstep. Managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust, this unsung gem makes for a rewarding visit throughout year, from the carpet of bluebells and daffodils in spring to the wealth of rare birds, wildlife and insects that visit in the summer, and is the perfect spot for a quiet stroll or sunny picnic.
And being just five miles from Bridport, our holiday cottages in Powerstock are well placed to explore this attractive coastal town known for its array of independent shops and galleries, art deco cinema, markets and restaurants. Bridport’s picturesque harbour at West Bay opens up Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast with its towering cliffs, stunning scenery and endless beaches teeming with fossils. Here you can try a new water sport, take a walk with an experienced fossil hunting guide, blow away the cobwebs on the South West Coast Path or simply spend a lazy day on the beach. Lyme Regis and Charmouth, Abbotsbury and Dorchester are also all within easy reach for more fossil hunting, theatre, museums, restaurants, gardens, fishing trips and so much more.
A holiday in Powerstock gives the best of both worlds; a sleepy village setting with excellent pubs and scenic walks plus all that Bridport and the Jurassic Coast has to offer just a few miles down the road.
A 17th century water mill, artist’s studios, craft centre, tea room and museum set in a peaceful valley on the river Manger with beautiful riverside walks nearby. ‘Maria’s Pantry’ serves breakfast, light lunches, cream teas and homemade cakes in beautiful surroundings overlooking the mill pond.
Mangerton Mill, Mangerton Lane, Bridport DT6 3SG (T: 01308 485224)
Lovely quaint place for lunch or afternoon tea. Need to order afternoon tea 24 hours beforehand. Old water mill with a few studios to visit
May 2021
Very pretty, did riverside walk as weather was beautiful. Highly recommend
October 2021
Really lovely place to visit. Excellent cream tea!
August 2023
Beautiful location and setting for a walk around the grounds. Cakes expectional.
September 2023
Looked after by the National Trust, Eggardon Hill is a great place for walking, flying kites or simply taking in the extensive views of the surrounding countryside and the English Channel in the distance. The hill fort itself is about 2,500 years old, but originally there were two Bronze Age burial mounds on the summit. It's also an old smuggling spot - in the 18th century, Isaac Gulliver took advantage of the hill's commanding position and created a small plantation of trees to act as a landmark for his ships and help guide them to the coast.
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Fascinating place when you consider that people lived here 2-3000 years ago. It's a good walk from Powerstock or surrounding villages.
September 2019
Wow, what a view! You can walk or drive to it from Powerstock. Definitely worth a visit on a clear sunny day.
December 2019
An exhilarating walk and a fantastic view whatever the weather
August 2021
This ancient hill fort is well worth visiting on a clear day. There is parking space near the top to save walking all the way up and the views down to the coast are breathtakingly beautiful.
October 2021
A brilliant walk from Bridge Cottage. A must if you enjoying walking and good views (if the weather is kind to you!)
November 2021
Great walk, and fantastic views
April 2022
A truly beautiful place to walk.
May 2022
Beautiful place to visit with stunning views
August 2023
Home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, Mapperton is a glorious sandstone manor house and romantic garden surrounded by unspoilt Dorset countryside. Check the website below for visiting times which do vary and look out for seasonal events such as Easter garden trails for children and outdoor theatre. The light and airy Sawmill Café serves light meals, coffees and cakes; unfortunately no dogs are allowed in the house or gardens.
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Spent a most pleasant couple of hours walking the grounds. Be prepared to traverse steps [up & down] but worth it especially if you like topiary which I am not a great advocate of but I found the topiary at Mapperton most interesting.
June 2018
Beautiful gardens and very informative and detailed tour of the house.
August 2019
We came here on an overcast day and spent over 3.5 hours just walking about these fabulous gardens. We took our own picnic with us but there is a cafe which was very busy at lunchtime with seating both inside and out in a large patio area. Really appreciated being able to take our dog in with us - we wouldn't have been able to visit otherwise. Thoroughly recommended. Wish I had had time to book it before we came on holiday as we could have used our Tesco Vouchers. Probably worth booking online in advance too.
July 2021
Run by Dorset Wildlife Trust and set in some of the county’s most beautiful countryside, The Kingscombe Centre is a place to relax and be inspired. Running a huge range of courses and workshops for all ages this is the place to learn a new skill or develop existing ones. Courses include watercolour painting, gardening and astronomy to name but a few.
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If you didn't bring your dog on holiday with you, you can walk a donkey instead! For an unforgettable holiday experience, spend the morning or afternoon with a friendly donkey, getting a hands-on, up-close and personal experience. After choosing your donkey, giving him a brush and learning some safety and handling tips, you'll set off along the pretty lanes and byways surrounding historic Beaminster. Bring a picnic or stop off at a pub for lunch while your donkey waits outside!
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This is an absolute gem! Quite unique. Chris is a great host and the two children in our party loved it. He was really helpful in accommodating us at short notice and when we had to cancel the first booking because of weather.
August 2020
The Three Horseshoes Inn dates back to the 17th Century and is situated in the delightful village of Powerstock, just north of Bridport, surrounded by stunning scenery and excellent walking including well known Eggardon Hill.
The pub has a warm and friendly atmosphere, good food and log fire to keep you cosy in winter. Food is locally sourced from widely recognised suppliers with weekly seasonal specials, and is always well received.
Three Horseshoes Inn, Powerstock, Dorset DT6 3TF (T:01308 485328)
Really Amazing food and a lovely warm atmosphere, visited 3 times during our week and would definately visit again.
January 2019
Nice friendly pub with great food.... in a very special location, lovely village.
April 2019
Very helpful and friendly landlord.
August 2019
Very friendly pub and excellent food if a limited menu.
September 2019
We enjoyed a lovely, homely meal. Service was a bit slow but being on holiday it did not matter.
September 2019
Friendly & welcoming.
December 2019
Really lovely village pub. Fantastic views and really tasty food. Friendly landlord.
July 2020
We had a fantastic meal here on our last night! Martin and Agnes are so friendly and welcoming and the food and service was amazing. All felt very safe and clean too, during the COVID situation.
September 2020
Stayed locally and had a lovely meal. Steak recommended - excellent. Nice Traditional pub and friendly staff
October 2021
Closed during the week of our stay as the landlords were on holiday.
November 2021
Excellent Easter Sunday Meal - really well cooked and presented, with a reduced portion for our youngest followed up with an excellent desert. Good selection of beverages to accompany the food. Good value for the standard of the food
April 2022
We went for a drink didn’t find it very friendly and pricey but new owners are coming on 24 th July 2022
July 2022
Visited twice, ate once Amazing view outside, service very friendly Cider very tasty, and had a very good Argentinian melbec red wine
June 2023
We had a lovely meal in the garden with beautiful view
August 2023
Ate there on 2 occasions, basic menu but adequate. Friendly staff and a reasonable selection of draught drinks for a village pub.
September 2023
An attractive 16th century country pub nestled in the beautiful hills of Nettlecombe, Dorset surrounded by beautiful countryside and within walking distance of Eggardon Hill, one of Dorset’s most spectacular Iron Age hill forts.
Freshly cooked, locally sourced lunches and evening meals are served every day complimented by a wide range of local ales and a well chosen wine list. On warm days you can sit outside in the large well kept garden where kids can play on the climbing frame, or there’s plenty of room inside with a bustling main bar, two dining areas and a snug with board games and table skittles.
The Marquis of Lorne, Nettlecombe, Dorset DT6 3SY (T: 01308 485236)
Excellent food and a great menu! Walking distance from our cottage so even better!
September 2019
We had a lovely meal. The service was good and the food very enjoyable.
September 2019
Excellent food, friendly and accommodating. Very good fillet steak and dover sole.
December 2019
Outstanding in every way. Lovely garden especially thought out for children . Excellent food
August 2020
We had a fantastic lunch here. Proper traditional home cooked food - probably the best cottage pie I've ever had! All felt very safe and clean too, during the COVID situation.
September 2020
We were planning to stay 4 nights at Marquis of Lorne to celebrate her birthday. What a mistake. We only stayed for one, Beware, the photographs flatter to deceive. We found a run down dirty property which smelled of wet dogs. The carpet in the living room was filthy. dirty blanket and cushions on sofa, the wood burner was full of old ash, the kitchen, including the cooker, crockery and cutlery were dirty and insanitary No Anti Covid precautions. My wife and I spent 2 hours on arrival to try hard to clean the place enough to spend a night there. Toad Hall did offer to send in an emergency cleaner but by that time it was too late. We had wasted enough time already. The next day we had no hesitation in cancelling our booking and returning home. This whole visit was a great disappointment Not a birthday treat! I would definitely NOT recommend this accommodation or Toad Hall Cottages organisation.Terrible
November 2020
Don't eat anywhere else! Great food and staff.
May 2021
Just next door, friendly staff , lovely food
May 2021
What a great pub, serving 1st class ale. The landlady always had a smile on her face despite the impact of Covid and British summer - its a shame it’s not my local pub !
May 2021
Excellent food and the staff so helpful
October 2021
Very welcoming pub. We only had drinks here and didn't eat.
November 2021
We ate at the Marquis of Lorne twice during our week away, and the service and food was excellent on both occasions. They were very accommodating with kids food, and plenty of vegetarian options. Wld highly recommend.
April 2022
Really worth seeking out!! Superb food..fantastic staff..dog friendly. Went every day for lunch during our stay in uploders. Sir Anthony.
April 2022
Excellent food and staff
May 2022
tried and tested. very friendly owner and staff who made us feel very welcome when we popped in over the bank holiday (Without booking) when they were very busy. We tried the cottage pie and steak and would recommend. Great place nesstled in a lovely place.
June 2022
Lovely pub just went for a drink lovely and friendly x
July 2022
This pub and restaurant is one of the best, and the staff are so friendly and helpful. Would recommend.
August 2022
Tracey,Steve,Sharon and Co. Are just the best hosts. Amazing food,best Sunday lunches ever (booking necessary) really welcoming. We ate here every day of our holiday. Only go elsewhere if you can’t get a table here.
May 2023
Staff very friendly and the food was good.
May 2023
Great food and felt very welcome by the staff.
September 2023
A pretty, ivy-clad, Dorset stone pub in the village of Loders serving a great fresh locally sourced menu and specials board accompanied by an extensive selection of local ales and beverages. Work up an appetite or walk off lunch on one of the many walks in the beautiful surrounding countryside. Plenty of parking and outside seating available, dogs and children welcome.
The Loders Arms Loders, Bridport DT6 3SA ( T: 01308 488431
A good local pub with excellent food and good company
September 2021
Overall, enjoyed our visit. Found the food a little overpriced for what it was, though. And staff were not wearing face coverings, nor was there a screen at the bar, which was off-putting for us.
September 2021
Nice pub in beautiful village. Food and drink good and staff friendly.
July 2022
Excellent friendly service and food superb, dog friendly so even better, would reccomend without a doubt
September 2023
The Pymore Inn is a charming 200-year-old free house serving seasonal food and an ever-changing selection of real ales, ciders, wines and cocktails. Inside the pub is filled with character and cosy log fires, whilst outside is a large walled garden perfect for alfresco dining. During the summer months, The Pymore Inn serves pizzas and barbecues out in the garden, alongside an outdoor bar and toasty fire pit. Families, dogs, walkers and cyclists are very welcome.
The Pymore Inn, Pymore, Bridport DT6 5PN (T: 01308 422625)
Great beer garden for the covid world, excellent service and high quality food. We booked to return but the thunderstorms arrived.
August 2020
This was the best dinner we had during our stay - all of the pubs were superb, but this was the best!
August 2021
Good Sunday lunch
April 2022
A traditional 19th Century country pub, with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, serving a great range of local beers and ciders and home-cooked pub food. Inside, there's a cosy open fire, plus there's a large pub garden with panoramic views of the rolling Dorset countryside. Muddy walking boots, dogs and children very welcome.
Hare & Hounds, Waytown, Bridport DT6 5LQ (T: 01308 488203)
Easter Sunday and had been very busy due to the glorious weather. Only had drinks, sat in the garden and made the most of the beautiful views.
April 2019
What a shame that it's now closed. It would have been ideal.
June 2019
Under the current situation we felt very safe and were made to feel welcome
August 2020
Walked here twice from Salwayash and had excellent fish and chips and Palmers IPA. Worth a visit, the view from the garden is amazing
August 2020
Fabulous food and bar staff could not be more welcoming !
September 2020
Lovely pub, very good food. Stayed at Perhay cottages and the owner recommended to us. Had no problem getting a booking for a Sunday roast. Made to feel very welcome by everyone. Landlord kept checking everything was ok.
October 2020
Had 2lovely meals there nice friendly people and dog friendly excellent
June 2021
Lovely country pub, good food, good hospitality with a lovely garden setting too!
June 2021
lovely country pub,best meal at a country pub for a long time,management very friendly and helpful if we are in the area again we would call in again.
June 2021
Had a great Sunday lunch at pub
July 2021
Very good pub grub. Good selection of real ales. Genial host. Remember to book as tables are limited
July 2021
Nice meal in the garden, made to feel very welcome. Very friendly chickens, had to be careful with our dog!
August 2021
Wonderful garden with great view. Excellent friendly service.
August 2021
Very friendly and welcoming, nice beer garden and good food.
September 2021
Excellent food, welcoming hosts, and a very convenient location for the cottage.
September 2021
Traditional country pub serving local beer and food. Shame it was shut when we were there!!!!
October 2021
Very friendly hosts. Lovely home cooked food.
November 2021
Excellent food and a real ale, friendly service.
March 2022
lovely friendly pub with good food. Landlord very friendly and makes you feel welcome
April 2022
We visited the pub a couple of times during our stay. The landlord was very welcoming and the food was delicious. Would definitely recommend.
April 2022
Lunch in the garden at this very friendly pub. Well cooked, crisp and tasty scampi and chips. Recommended.
May 2022
OK country pub with a relatively new landlord. Dog friendly, friendly locals and a chatty landlord. Garden has fantastic views, really fantastic. Palmers ale well kept. Tasty food, along the lines of pub food with a specials board. Visited while staying in a nearby cottage. Worth a visit for the beer and view.
May 2022
Unpretentious local pub offering good food and beer. We ate there three times when staying locally and each meal was good especially the veg wellington and rhubarb and raspberry crumble!
July 2022
Great pub and very friendly landlord - Bob. Nothing was too much trouble, food was great.
July 2022
What a brilliant pub with spectacular views across the Dorset countryside. The landlord was incredibly kind and helpful to us. We went for lunch and had some tasty panini’s and enjoyed an evening meal too. Five stars for everything- well worth a visit.
July 2022
Delicious food. Friendly staff. Stunning view from the garden. No kids menu but happily made our Grandaughter a small portion.
August 2022
A lovely friendly pub with delicious meals, we ate there twice during our stay locally.
May 2023
We really liked being able to walk to this pub along pretty, tree-lined Dorset lanes lined with ferns & bluebells. Delightful views of the countryside from the garden. Very genial hosts & a good range of reasonably priced pub food.
May 2023
Great local pub with good food and lovely hospitality.
July 2023
This pub is brilliant. The owners, Bob and Jenny, were just lovely people. Good home cooked food. Nothing too much trouble. They made our holiday.
September 2023
A very good selection of vegetarian meals and draught beer. We went for lunch on a Sunday and had a very nice experience. Would definately recommend.
September 2023
We had a lovely evening meal at The Hare and Hounds in Waytown recently with friends, food was very tasty and freshly prepared. Owner was hospitable and there was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Would highly recommend.
September 2023
Excellent and friendly pub with a large number of vegetarian choices.
October 2023
Fantastic food and very friendly hosts
May 2024
A National Trust beach in Burton Bradstock, Hive Beach is part of an estate that forms one of the main gateways to the Jurassic Coast and the South West Coast Path. Around it are beautiful cliff top walks, and surrounded by the sandstone cliffs, Hive Beach perfect for visiting families. Made of shingle, it forms part of the larger Chesil Beach and is on a World Heritage Site that has the largest shingle ridge in the world. The nearby Burton Cliff is an example of extraordinary geology in the area, which appears to glow bright gold in the sunlight. Perfect for picnics, the beach has a car park and toilets nearby, linked to the Hove Beach Café which specializes in serving fish. From 1st June to the end of September there are restrictions for dogs on the beach, but they are welcome on at least part of it all year round.
Beautiful, calm & perfect for dog walks
April 2018
Beautiful beach, great for dog walking and connects with the South Coast Path.
September 2018
Absolutely stunning - it's a must do 30 minute walk along the beach.
August 2021
A fine shingle beach with sand at the water’s edge, East Cliff Beach is a beautiful place to spend the day with the family on summer holidays in Dorset. There’s lifeguard cover from July to September in the summer holidays on East Beach itself, but that doesn’t really cover East Cliff Beach, so just be careful when and where you swim and stay away from the cliff base to avoid falling stones. There’s a long stay car park behind East Beach and a smaller short stay car park just before entering the harbour area in front of the Bridport Arms Hotel. Toilets are located at the main West Bay Road car park and baby changing facilities are provided as well. Dogs are permitted on the beach all year round, but it is a clean zone that’s regularly patrolled by wardens imposing fines, so don’t forget to clean up after your pets!
I really enjoyed this side looking at interesting stone formations. The beach 'shelving' has to be looked out for if you are paddling and it is better to wait until very low tide so that you can see where bits rise and fall.
April 2018
We walked from Lyme Regis to Charmouth across this beach at low tide. MUST be low tide. It was a super walk, a bit challenging in places as we had climb over rocks. The dog absolutely loved it.
October 2018
Under the golden glow of the majestic sandstone cliffs and the Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the south coast, West Bay Beach (made famous by the popular drama series Broadchurch) is in the south of the historic market town of Bridport. At the western end of Chesil Beach, the area forms part of the Dorset Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site within Lyme Bay and is a wonderful location for family holidays. Bridport Town is a short bus ride away or a very pleasant 20-minute walk. The beach itself is shingle, sand and pebbles with steep shelving, a slipway and a harbour. There’s an auxiliary coastguard and lifeguards at your service, toilets, disabled toilets and a beachside refreshment kiosk. Nearby activities include kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, swimming surfing and jet skiing. There are also car parks close by and while dogs are banned from May to September, they are allowed out of the summer season.
we loved West Bay very much did not eat at any of the restuarants there apart from the George Hotel (one night) as Gluten Free options were either poor choices or non existant.
July 2017
Lovely place to wonder around. Great relaxing beach to stroll along brilliant view of the cliffs. Easy parking. Fish and chips from the Seasider chippie went there twice in the week. really tasty.
August 2018
Lovely walk, bit strenuous climbing up Golden Cap, buts it’s worth it ! However there is an easier route too.
September 2018
Lovely to stroll along the top of the dune which is compacted, easy to walk on and accessible from either the pier or the road beside the Visitor Centre. Wonderful views.
October 2023
A National Trust beach, Cogden is a little known, secluded sand and shingle beach that comes complete with a members’ car park. It has a wonderful sense of feeling remote but being surprisingly easy to access – the bus even stops there! There aren’t any facilities, but it’s a beautiful setting, and in truth, the lack of goings on is part of its charm. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round and it’s a haven for walkers looking to explore the area with the National Trust’s two mile/one-hour circular walk passing through it from flower-filled farmland, past ground nesting birds and along this striking section of the Jurassic Coast, known for having the largest shingle ridge in the world.
There's a lovely 2 mile circular walk through the fields from the NT car park - through late spring and early summer orchids are to be found
May 2017
Fabulous quiet dog friendly beach
August 2023
A small pebble beach close to the historic market town of Bridport, Eype Beach is a steep shelved beach (Eype means ‘steep place’) with beautiful views of the West Dorset coast. Dogs are permitted all year round and refreshments are available at Lower Eype. The beach is part of one of the most beautiful little villages in the area, where buildings can be traced back to the late 18th century. Consisting of Lower Eype and Higher Eype, it’s the lower part of the village that has access to the beach, which also boasts the magnificent Golden Cap, the highest cliff on the south coast at 191-metres above sea level. The beach is favoured by swimmers and fishing fans as well as avid fossil hunters, and there is parking nearby for a few cars as well as toilets and a pub.
Very narrow single track access road with limited passing places. Would not recommend purely due to access difficulties.
June 2017
Narrow access. Park at the top for free and walk down to the church and carry on down via a path.
September 2023