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Reviewed: The Eastbury Cottage in Sherborne, Dorset

Discover why The Eastboury Hotel and cottage in Sherborne, Dorset makes for a perfect family break. It’s a dog-friendly cottage so your pooch gets to have a holiday too.

Family getaway at the Eastbury Cottage, Sherborne

Our stay at The Eastbury Cottage and meals at Seasons in the Eastbury Hotel were complimentary for the purpose of this review. However, all views, opinions and love of a charming cottage are totally my own. Our stay was organised by CJ Hotel Consultancy.

This post may contain compensated links. Find more info in my disclaimer.

Tucked down a quiet lane in the centre of historic Sherborne, you’ll find the delightful Eastbury Cottage. This seventeenth-century, honey-coloured cottage oozes old-world charm and makes for a perfect family getaway. The cottage is part of the beguiling Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne, located just two doors away.

Me and Mr Jones, my daughter Amy, her partner Jack, and Billie, their one-year old Schnoodle pup, spent a relaxing two nights at the Eastbury Cottage enjoying a long-awaited family getaway. During our stay we explored the medieval town of Sherborne and enjoyed a wonderful meal at Seasons Restaurant in The Eastbury Hotel.

The Eastbury Cottage

The beautifully decorated cottage is deceptively spacious and gorgeously furnished over three floors. You’ll find three double bedrooms, three bathrooms, lounge, dining room, a fully equipped kitchen and a gorgeous private garden complete with hot tub and pretty little courtyard. How often do you find a dog-friendly cottage with a hot tub! Let’s take a look around this quaint country retreat.

The Bedrooms at The Eastbury Cottage

Three gorgeous double bedrooms with decor in calm muted hues, outstandingly comfortable beds and high quality bedlinen ensure a sound night’s sleep. Robes and slippers are ready to slip into and each bedroom has its own bathroom which include two en suites and one just a step across the hallway.

Master Bedroom

The first floor of the cottage houses the gorgeous master bedroom with its window seats and roll top Victorian style bathtub set on a raised platform at one end of the room. It also has its own en-suite shower room, smart TV, dressing table and wardrobe.

Main bedroom, Eastbury Cottage, SherborneThe Master Bedroom 

Main bedroom bathtub, Eastbury Cottage, SherborneMaster Bedroom raised bath tub area

 

Second First Floor Bedroom

The second double bedroom on this floor is smaller but just as sumptuous with a full bathroom just a step across the hallway.

Bedroom 3, The Eastbury Cottage, SherborneSecond First Floor Bedroom 

Loft Bedroom and ensuite

Climbing up a small set of steep stairs into the loft area is the spacious third bedroom with warm coloured décor, oak beams and cosy seating area with smart TV. This large room has its own en-suite shower room. All rooms have hairdryers and toiletries by The White Company.

Loft bedroom, Eastbury Cottage, SherborneThe Loft Bedroom

If you’ve got older children in your group there’re another two beds in a small bunkhouse by the courtyard. There’s also a cloakroom just off the kitchen.

The Living Areas at Eastbury Cottage

The Lounge, Eastbury Cottage in Sherborne

The living room is comfy with a huge Inglenook fireplace, beamed-ceiling, wood-burner and basket of logs seasoned and ready for burning. Cosy chairs and window seats are ideal for curling up with a good book – if that’s not your thing there’s a flat-screen TV and Netflix.

A decanter of Sloe Gin welcomed us and colourful cushions added bold splashes of colour. We felt at home within minutes. Original artworks adorn the walls and antiques and trinkets are displayed all around the cottage.

The dining room is home to another stone fireplace, crooked beams and large oak dining table. The room is equipped with all the accoutrements you’d need to host a full-on dinner party – including after-dinner games and Alexa for music.

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Dining Room, Eastbury Cottage, Sherborne

Dogs are welcome at The Eastbury Cottage

A dog-bed was provided for Billie along with a cute toy which was a lovely touch and which she’d ravaged by the end of our stay. A personalised welcome letter for Billie outlined the doggy guest rules which she keenly observed. The doggy treats left for her in the kitchen may well have helped with this.

The Kitchen

In the kitchen petrol-blue units and a black and white chequered floor are the perfect backdrop for the cherry red Smeg appliances including stove, kettle and Nespresso machine.

Kitchen, Eastbury Cottage, SherborneKitchen at Eastbury Cottage

A hamper of snacks, nibbles, fresh bread, breakfast cereal and essentials were provided along with milk, butter and conserves in the fridge. For self-caterers there’s a Waitrose less than ten-minute’s walk away.

The Cottage Garden

From the kitchen, or the French doors in the lounge, head out to the private garden and pretty courtyard area with table, chairs and parasol.

The courtyard is perfect for al-fresco breakfasts or evening barbecues. We ordered a continental breakfast hamper from the hotel and enjoyed a lazy breakfast in the sunshine one morning. It’s the perfect spot to relax.

Hamper breakfast at Eastbury Cottage, SherborneHamper breakfast at Eastbury Cottage

The Hot Tub

Wend your way to the end of the pretty cottage garden and you’ll find a shady area with deckchairs and a rustic wood-fired hot tub. You’ll need to fire it up a couple of hours in advance to warm the water but once it’s up to speed it’s perfect for easing weary limbs after a hike through the darling Dorset countryside. Kindling and logs are provided.

Hot tub at Eastbury Cottage, SherbornePrivate hot tub at Eastbury Cottage

The Eastbury Hotel

The cottage has everything you’d need for a fully self-catered break but, when you’re ready to be spoiled, the elegant Eastbury Hotel is just a hop and a skip away. This beautiful red-brick townhouse was built as a Georgian gentleman’s residence back in the seventeenth century and all the facilities are available to guests at the cottage.

The Eastbury Hotel, SherborneThe Eastbury Hotel, Sherbourne 

Drop into this very special Sherborne hotel for breakfast, afternoon tea or a cocktail at the bar before a meal at the wonderful Seasons Restaurant. The hotel is dog-friendly too.

The Resident’s Lounges and Snooker Room

Morning Room, Eastbury Hotel, SherborneThe Morning Room

Snooker Room, Eastbury Hotel, SherborneSnooker Room

The Morning Room is the perfect spot to read the newspapers or head to the elegant Drawing Room for an afternoon pot of Earl Grey and a board game. Just across the hall is a beautiful snooker room where you can battle it out over the baize.

The Cocktail Bar

Cocktail Bar, The Eastbury Hotel, SherborneThe Eastbury Hotel Cocktail Bar

Adjoining Seasons Restaurant, the cocktail bar, replete with leopard print carpet, is a plush bar with retro paintings and quirky accents. It’s the perfect spot for a pre-dinner G&T of local Viper Gin and has a fine wine list, Champagnes and locally crafted beers and ales. Of course, there’s a marvellous selection of cocktails to choose from too.

The Eastbury Guest Rooms

The Eastbury Hotel, part of the Peter de Savary Collection, is home to 27 guest rooms in a variety of sizes and locations. All beautifully appointed with either elegant Georgian décor or rich, comfortable contemporary furnishings.

Five suites, including 2 family suites, are individually designed with luxurious fabrics and statement artworks.

The Victorian Garden Potting Shed Suites

An additional five ‘Victorian Garden Potting Shed Suites’ are set within the large walled garden. Each has a moss and sedum roof to blend in effortlessly with the surroundings.

Bedrooms are luxurious with en- suite wet room facilities tri-folding doors opening onto a private terrace. Each of the suites is dog-friendly.

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The Garden

Garden at Eastbury Hotel, SherborneThe Eastbury Hotel garden

As you wander through the award-winning walled garden you’ll discover sculptures and statues amid the beautiful planting. Pull up a deck chair and relax in the calm, tranquil surroundings or try your hand at giant chess, badminton or croquet. 

Overlooking the lawn is the hotel’s private dining pod which can be booked for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea.

The Pod, Eastbury Hotel, SherborneThe dining pod

The Eastbury Spa

The Spa, Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne, DorsetThe Eastbury Spa

Wander down the pathway, past the Potting Shed Suites to the very end of the garden and you’ll discover a cute Hobiton-style dwelling.

If you’re looking to be pampered then the Eastbury Spa has a soft, fluffy robe and Caudalie products awaiting your visit. There are two treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, mini-gym and an indoor and outdoor hot tub.

There’s parking through the gate at the bottom of the garden and a charging point for electric cars.

Seasons Restaurant

We dined twice at the award-winning conservatory restaurant overlooking the gardens. Seasons, which has been awarded two Rosettes, is headed by executive chef and ‘Master Chef – The Professionals’ finalist Matthew Street.

Matthew, who is local, has run the kitchen for over 12 years and is passionate about local produce. We had a fabulous breakfast which set us up nicely on the day we checked out but the star of the show was the inspired 7 course tasting menu with accompanying wine flight.

Seasons Restaurant Tasting Menu, Eastbury HotelSeasons restaurant

The food was imaginative, full of local flavour and traditional yet contemporary. I adored all the dishes but the roast lamb with mellow tandoori spice, cauliflower, cucumber yoghurt, black dal and curry leaf stood out. The attention to detail was spot on. Think tomato butter which resembled two perfectly formed tomatoes.

Seasons is dog-friendly with two pre-bookable dog places set on opposite sides of the restaurant – for obvious reasons. Billie ate with us and was brought a specially prepared doggy dish of rice and chicken which she wolfed down in seconds.

Service in the restaurant deserves a special mention which was friendly, helpful and attentive but not intrusive.

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What to see and do in Sherborne and nearby

Sherborne, DorsetCheap Street, Sherborne

The Eastbury Hotel and cottage are located in the heart of historic Sherborne. Cheap Street, which is the main shopping street, is just a few minutes’ walk away as is Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne Museum, the Conduit and almshouses. There’s an open-air market on Thursdays and Saturdays and a good selection of independent shops, bars and restaurants. Sherborne has a good selection of pubs.

There are two castles in the town, Sherborne Old Castle which is part of English Heritage and Sherborne New Castle and Gardens both of which are within walking distance.

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Further afield

Within half an hour’s drive are the Royal Army Fleet Air Arms Museum in Yeovilton, Clarkes Outlet Village and Hayne’s International Motor Museum.

Further afield at around an hour’s drive is Dorset’s Jurassic Coast where you’ll find some glorious beaches, Old Harry Rocks, Corfe Castle, Brownsea Island and Durdle Door. Stonehenge, Lyme Regis and Salisbury Cathedral are within striking distance.

Old Harry RocksOld Harry Rocks, Dorset

Final thoughts

A break at Eastbury Cottage is about spending quality time with family or friends in a charming cottage retreat. I loved the style, comfortable furnishings and all the facilities in the gorgeous Eastbury Hotel next door. Historic Sherborne and the surrounding area is beautiful to explore.

Need to know

The Eastbury Cottage and Eastbury Hotel are suited to couples and families with older children. They’re perfect for groups looking to relax in tranquil surroundings and enjoy the town of Sherborne, surrounding countryside and coast. The cottage is perfect for three sets of couples or family groups and has all the facilities to completely self-cater in beautiful surroundings. The private hot tub is an added bonus!

The Eastbury Hotel and Cottage, Long St, Sherborne DT9 3BY
Telephone: 01935 813131 – Email: [email protected] – Website: The Eastbury Hotel

Check rates and availability at The Eastbury Hotel and cottage

Our stay at The Eastbury Cottage and meals at Seasons in the Eastbury Hotel were complimentary for the purpose of this review. However, all views, opinions and love of a charming cottage are totally my own.

Check out more UK staycation ideas and holiday inspiration.

Christina Conte

Tuesday 6th of July 2021

How lovely to have a family getaway, especially after this last horrible year. I followed along on your trip and was so envious, wishing I was there, too! It's been so long since I was in Dorset, and I long to return as there's so much more to see! We stayed in Ebbsbourne Wake (so tiny) in a friend's thatched roof cottage which was amazing! We missed Sherborne, so fingers crossed we can experience it with the Eastbury Hotel and Cottages.

Suzanne Jones

Tuesday 6th of July 2021

It was so lovely to spend quality time with my daughter after such a long while. Sherborne is very pretty with lots of historic buildings, including two castles, and some lovely independent shops. I hope you get to explore it soon!

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