Yalbury Cottage in West Dorset

We stayed the night here for dinner, bed and breakfast yesterday. It is a quiet, friendly and comfortable hotel with excellent food. Would definitely recommend.

Where to start with this amazing find! We booked a night here and this is one of the best nights away we’ve ever had. We arrived, parked, were checked in with a warm welcome and (after saying hi to Buster, those that know, know) were shown to our room by a smiling Sophie. The room was fantastic. A good size, neutral in decoration but classy. There are reusable bottles of water, one sparkling and one still in the room, and two homemade brownies (which were moist, GF, dairy free and nut free, so basically everyone can enjoy them). A really lovely welcome. The bathroom was a good size, and although seeing a shower curtain usually puts us off, it was double layered and the rail was far enough away it didn’t blow onto you when showering like so many do! We had booked a table for dinner so got ready and headed down to the lounge area (as instructed) for a pre dinner drink. We were seated on a comfy sofa and given a drinks menu. We settled on a bottle of red. We were not rushed and time seemed to slow down as we talked, supped the wine and were treated to a delicious canapé. We were then shown the menu, given some time to decide. I chose the crab and the venison croquet (because I’m greedy!) and my partner chose the trout. We both ordered the beef brisket for mains. We then were taken through to the restaurant and seated. More wine and water was poured, and a delightful amuse bouche welcomed us, again absolutely delicious. The starters were incredible, the chef, as most other reviews have stated, is an absolute master, a magician you might think tasting the food. Everything balanced to perfection, every bite encapsulating the essence of the dish, texture and flavour combing to provide pure bliss. The mains were a showstopper. The beef brisket was succulent, accompanied by potatoes and mushrooms and a sauce to die for. The non-stop conversation seemingly ceased as we were too focussed on enjoying the food. Plates clean, we were given time to decide on dessert. I went for the cheese and my partner went for the meringue. And another bottle of red. Desserts went down a treat and we retired back to the lounge with the remaining red and full, satisfied tummies. You can book dinner here without staying, but we recommend you do both. The table service from Sophie and Caleb was - and this is not overstating it - absolutely perfect, completely spot on and the epitome of what you hope for but rarely find. Friendly, professional, knowledgable and always there when you wanted them to be and out of the way when you wanted to just enjoy the food and the experience. A great night sleep in the room, which was quiet and comfortable lead us into breakfast! Attended to this time by the attentive and fantastic (female, apologies forgotten the name) owner we were treated to great coffee, a very tasty cooked breakfast which certainly set us up for the day ahead. Overall, from check in to check out, this place nailed every aspect of service, stupendously good food, personable and friendly staff, lovely atmosphere and ambience in a great setting. This is how it should be done. Thank you!

We enjoyed a delicious homemade afternoon tea , absolutely faultless.The staff were friendly and explained all the different fillings both savoury and sweet. Coffee/ tea topped up as much as you wanted and a surprise trio of chocolate brownies with Happy Birthday., lovely touch ,thank you.

This is a real treat. The staff are friendly and attentive without being imposing and the quality of the food is spot on and good sized portions. It is a nice touch to see so much locally sourced produce. Highly recommend and can’t wait to come back again.

It was a destination on my bucket list and my family made it happen as part of my 60th celebrations . The whole experience was exceptional . The welcome was warm and genuine and we took a seat in a little cozy nook and had pre-dinner drinks and some heavenly tasting canopies. The menu was superbly put together and the choices were very appealing . The entire evening was just awesome and the fine cuisine was better than fine , it was cuisine at its best. Exceptional food and wine and worth every penny . What a treat

Absolutely superb visit again at Yalbury Cottage. The stay was faultless and the food spectacular. I cannot recommend Yalbury Cottage highly enough it is a real gem . We visited with friends and all agreed its a really special place !

Wow a stunning place, the staff are so friendly and welcoming and nothing is too much trouble for them and the food is outstanding. I am coeliac so need to follow a strict gluten free diet and wow what delicious food, the afternoon tea was one of the best I have ever eaten would highly recommend.

This place never ever disappoints. We have eaten here alot and our evening has always been perfect! The only gripe I have is that I always leave too full up! (Because I don't want to leave any of the delicious food!) Always great service from staff and a great atmosphere.

We were booked for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. From the moment we arrived there was such a warm welcome. We were shown to our room(8) by Sophie who asked us if we required anything. The room was lovely, comfortable and very spacious. There was everything we needed and the fresh milk, which Sophie brought up, added to the amenities in the room. We had a drink in the lounge late afternoon and the service again was very attentive with the fire and background music on. Dinner was booked for 20:15 so we had pre dinner drinks in the lounge with surprise canopy's whilst looking at the menu. We pre ordered starter and main and were shown to our table. The dining room is like being in someone's house with the tables nicely spaced. Very homely and cosy. The dinner courses were delivered in a timely manner but not rushed and again with that excellent service from Sophie and Eve who explained each course. We now move to the food. Well having travelled far and wide this cuisine I would now put in my top 3.Jamie I take my hat off to you. I trained as a chef then joined a bank....big mistake on my part. Your food and presentation is excellent To give an idea what we had Starter :Dorset snails with herb crumb and blue cheese, Portland Crab cake, Kedgeree, Curry sauce, soft boiled egg. Main two course were duck breast and Brisket beef with accompanying vegetables, desserts were Seville Orange curd and Marmalade Meringue and the special was Rhubarb, ginger and chocolate and those flavours together were amazing. Thank you Eve for suggesting that, After a great nights sleep we then had breakfast which again was very relaxed and chilled and the selection was great. Tea, coffee, cereal, yogurt, fruit, full English (with white pudding),Smoked fish with scrambled egg. The whole experience was a 10/10 and would we go back YES.

Just returned from an exceptional evening at Yalbury Cottage. The meal was superb. Despite my husband's experience of fine dining and almost forensic examination of each morsel of food, he finally declared at the end of the evening - 'I cannot find any fault with this meal whatsoever. It is truly outstanding'. In a nutshell - flavours fantastic, staff that are truly obliging, lively and cosy atmosphere and a price that represents the very best value for money. A truly exquisite experience.

Perhaps it is a sign of the times, or a sign of increasing years, but it is increasingly unusual for me to find a restaurant such as this where I could just about have eaten anything off the menu, so well chosen were the dishes. The cooking, which I would describe as traditional British with a twirl or two, was highly competent, perhaps just a notch below being haute-cuisine, but hard to criticize. Cooking was spot on and saucing excellent. I could have done with slightly more white meat in the crab tart, although the pastry was good and the presentation fun. The brisket was very good, the lamb quite excellent and a lesson in choosing a good supplier. The wine list was stunningly good, with plenty of choise and real imagination in the selection;' the showcasing of local wines was also notable. Service was friendly, with no undue waiting for courses. The room was full on a Tuesday night, which said it all. I can see why.

Yalbury B&B ok but not worth the £105 per room in our opinion and we were disappointed. The good points. A reasonably friendly welcome. Milk for a cup of tea was promptly provided in a tiny flask for both our rooms when we asked for it on arrival. We had travelled the 3 1/2 hours drive down to Dorset from Kent. The two bedrooms we had were spacecous and generally clean and tidy. The beds we found were a little soft for us but they were ok. Breakfast was nicely cooked and present but it was a long wait for it. The not so good. On our arrival we were asked and booked in for breakfast at 9.15am. We had explained then and when booking we were attending a family funeral locally the next day. Yet when we promtply arrived at 9.15am Friday morning to breakfast we had wait to be shown a menu, wait to be asked our choices and wait then to get a tea, coffee and fruit juices. Then our cooked breakfast arrived much later. We got back to our room just before 10.40am. In the online details it states no dogs are permitted in the restaurant yet the owners small dog was wandering in and out at breakfast time. This dog was begging at the two other occupoied breakfast tables for food and then came to ours when our cooked breakfast arrived! Both of us don't appreciate a dog being around begging for our food and we both are allergic to dogs. Twice this dog tried to climb up and by my side while I was eating my meal. There was mold on top right corner of the blind and wall window corner in room 1 . This room is lower ground floor and overlooks a hedge and small lawned garden area. No box of tissues in room 1. The bath room floor tiles in room 1 were cracked near to inside the bathroom door as you go in. Bathroom is in need of maintance and updating. Wardrobe a bit musty. The person above bedroom 1 was noisy and up till mid night and flush the loo and then and at 7am! So not the best or most restful night's sleep for us. The shower over the bath was leaking at the right tap area in room 1. Water constantly dripping then splashing and ending up on the bath and floor on that side of the bath and near the wash hand basin. No shower anti slip mat was provided as I requested when I booked and mentioned due to my lower back issue. The bath base had ridges near the shower end but was still slippery when wet. The one hand rail on the wall by the bath was too low. I was unable to step in and climb out safely over the bath side to take a shower. Only one decaffeinated tea bag and one decaffeinated coffee sachet was in the selection of half a dozen cafinated teas. I had booked on the phone a few days ahead and had given all my card details at that point. We left the next morning at 10.55am to attend a family funeralbin Poundbury and memorial service in the nearyby in West Stafford. The B&B room cleaner kindly offered and took my small light suitcase to our car in the car park due to stairs to and from the room and along outside. path. Friday 2.30pm I turned my phone to silent while attending the funernal and service thankfully. Good job as this B&B owner phoned me early that evening. They left a voice messsge saying they hadn't got my full card details so couldn't take payment! Once home in Kent the next day I noticed I had a voice message from them. I paid in full this morning. N.B Inside this B&B are many split levels and steos which makes it not ideal for anyone with mild back or mobility issues.

Absolutely superb in every aspect. Highly recommend. Went for Sunday lunch, everyone in our party was thoroughly impressed. Thank you.

Sunday lunch and it was very tasty. Three courses although that was a bit of a struggle! Lovely starters cheese soufflé and Portland crab tart followed by a roast beef and a chicken, all cooked to perfection. Cheese board to finish.

Best food anywhere near Dorchester. A warm welcome to the cottage restaurant. The menu was relatively small, but everything that was served was beautifully cooked and presented. Couldn’t fault a thing.

The hotel is located in a village setting. The only downside is the parking as the restaurant is open to non-residents and it’s often fully booked, which means the car park is busy. The rooms are clean and comfortable. The breakfast is very good with a great range of local produce on offer and it can be tailored to suit. Convenient location to Dorchester and A35, but the location is rural and therefore quiet. Host is friendly and helpful. If you want to eat dinner, advance booking is recommended.

Renowned local restaurant which has been established for decades, which serves fresh food which is consistantly of a very high standard. Not cheap.

We had a lovely Birthday dinner in beautiful surroundings. Cocktails in the garden surrounded by flowers was a great start to a delicious meal that used all local produce. The crab tarts, lamb and Brill were stand out dishes. The canapes and amuses buches were...

Eight of us elderley parents and siblings and partners. Two nights bb and eve meal and afternoon tea. Was all amazing 11 out of 10!!!! Food exquisite, hospitality amazing,rooms very comfortable. This was 4th visit to this beautiful place with our family. Cant wait for...

Went to celebrate my husband’s birthday and it was such a lovely occasion. Staff were attentive, friendly and helpful. Lovely atmosphere and so nice to have a formal yet relaxed evening out. My only slight niggle was the very limited menu choice.

The most lovely dinner, incredible food and great staff, every dish was so tasty, no faults, 11/10, couldn’t recommend more.

Stayed just one night with a superb dinner. I cannot describe how amazing the service rooms and the dinner experience was It is simply 5 stars plus. The lovely owner cannot do enough for her guests to ensure a restful time in lovely countryside location....

First visit here and what a fantastic experience. Love the cottage feel, the food was excellent and great service. Two of us are vegan and we had the same care and attention as the meat eaters. A fantastic flavorsome dining experience. Can’t wait to come...

A truly exceptional meal. What more can I say. Another venue that caters not only for meat eaters but imaginative vegetarian fare as well. Delicious starters, crab tart for example. The roast beef was just perfect, hake with fresh veggies and a cauliflower dish like...

Me and my partner really enjoyed our stay here. Our room was extremely clean with fresh towels and toiletries provided for us. Our bed was super comfy and cozy. The brownies and fresh bottled water was a lovely touch. A good location close to durdle...

Food was amazing. Service was just right. The petit fours served with coffee after meal was a lovely touch. What’s impressive is that we have visited many years ago and the food was fabulous then and still is. Without a doubt you can eat very...

We booked fairly last minute for an overnight stay and dinner after reading all the excellent reviews. We arrived on an unseasonably rainy July evening . Comfortable bedroom with views over fields, good bathroom with excellent hot water and good shower over deep bath etc....

This charming hotel just outside of Dorchester serves the most incredible food. We stayed for 2 nights, had 2 breakfast, cooked fresh which was absolutely delicious. The cherry on the top was dinner on Friday evening. My goodness Jamie knows how to cook. To say...

Had an amazing afternoon cheese tea which came with sweet treats as well. Was not sure what to expect as never had something like this before but was not disappointed . While there an afternoon cream tea was being served and this also looked very...

A family Sunday lunch for four as a treat for my wife’s birthday From start to finish the staff are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble Excellent menu choices Canapés presented beautifully One of the best roast dinners I’ve ever had, actually we...

Have been here several times this time for a 50th birthday. Staff friendly and go out of their way to make you comfortable and tend to your needs, Food is of michelin star quality and should receive one. Beautiful atmosphere and would really like to stay overnight next time.

Encouraged by previous reviews we booked a one night dinner bed and breakfast. Despite the current Covid restrictions there was a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The food was of excellent quality, perfectly cooked and presented with a few interesting elements like the delicious Scots Pine. Service was professional and friendly.The accommodation was spotlessly clean and comfortable. Overall a very enjoyable experience which we hope to repeat in the future.

Right from booking, to arrival at the restaurant to leaving, the experience was absolutely fantastic. The warm and welcomed arrival at Yalbury was instantly experienced as we notified the host of our arrival. The before-lunch beverage in the garden provided a chance to relax and take in the scenery before then moving into the quaintly decorated restaurant. Food was outstanding with generous portions, all served by friendly and experienced service staff.

I can't believe we have never eaten at this restaurant before! We booked as a belated birthday treat and enjoyed every moment of the dining experience. We had a warm welcome and excellent service throughout the meal. The food was delicious, with interesting tastes and beautifully presented dishes. We would not hesitate to return.

We’ve just returned from our fourth visit to Yalbury and it’s still just as wonderful. Food is superb both dinner and breakfast and Jamie and Ariane have used the enforced Covid closure in the Spring to do some internal decoration and make the garden even more lovely. This place is somewhere you will always want to return to and there’s always somewhere new to visit in the area.

Lovely venue which offers something a little special on the outskirts of Dorchester. Food was tasty, especially the bread rolls and cheese soufflés. Highly recommend the chocolate Marquis too! Staff are really friendly and have taken all necessary measures in these difficult times.

What a lovely restaurant, great service, food and atmosphere, we could not fault it and would not hesitate to return.

Just returned from Yalbury Cottage in Dorset , run by Jamie and Ariana Jones lovely people very friendly. Food is amazing very high standards. We stayed for 4days price is very good bed and breakfast very relaxing establishment. Can’t wait to visit again

As my title suggests the food here is incredible!The menu is small but every single component compliments the meal, the canapés are a wonderful addition and really make the meal a true dining experience. As a butcher I can tell all the meat is excellent quality and that transcends throughout the entire meal.Not only is the food brilliant but they have a great drinks/wine menu and the waitresses were happy to recommend drinks that would compliment your food. They also make a lovely ‘mocktail’! Not just that but all the staff were attentive, very polite and had plenty of knowledge about to local area so could recommend activities/good places to visit.The rooms are alittle old fashioned but that fits with the character of the building, the grounds are lovely, sitting by the pond in the sun was a personal favourite of mine.Overall I cannot fault this place, it was an amazing experience and nothing was to much to ask for, I have recommended this place to all my family and friends!

Spent a very happy and relaxing two days at this lovely family-run restaurant and cottage set in beautiful surrounding countryside. The garden, where we relaxed in the afternoon sun with a chilled glass of wine, is beautiful and very peaceful. Friendly and charming staff who look after their guests incredibly well. A big thank you to you all - in particular Jamie the chef, who provided the most delicious food ever! Everything was perfect, including the weather! We will definitely be back.

First Class - Food devine, Accommodation spotless, Family & Staff helpful & welcoming. We will be back!

We had a wonderful meal, staff were excellent without being intrusive. The canapés and amouse bouche were a lovely addition. Plaice for main course.Goats cheese mousse was a great starter. White chocolate cheesecake for dessert, yummy. This was a real treat of an evening meal, will definitely be back.

OMG yalbury cottage is amazing. The staff are brilliant The food...... Devine! The cheese soufflé melted in my mouth, I didn’t want the meal to end.

Visited here for wife's birthday. Excellent as ever with staff ensuring social distancing and that all surfaces were sanitised. The food was great with a good menu, certainly recommend a visit

We celebrated our anniversary here and cannot wait for the next special occasion to go back!I love the fact that it's family run, the owners were absolutely lovely and the rest of the staff all super nice.The cottage itself has a lot of character, the room was cosy and the restaurant and lounge delightful.But what really exceeded our expectations here was the food. Every single thing we ate was just delicious, the menu had a really good selection and everything was locally sourced and handmade. The presentation and the flavours were just unbelievable, and I definitely wasn't left hungry... Just WOW! Definitely recommend both eating and staying, and cannot wait to go again!

Didn't eat here but had one of their picnics through our booking at the Bride Valley vineyard.Accommodated our dietary requests without a fuss and provided a four course feast. Fortunately, all supplied in eco packaging which we could take away as there was too much for one sitting. Only slightly disappointing note was the cake - quite dull and too much gritty buttercream.Will certainly try to get there for a proper meal at some point.

We had a lovely warm welcome on arrival. The staff could not have been more attentive. The food was beautiful presented, and was delicious. Locally sourced food, with subtle surprises . A lovely day thank you.

Celebrated our first meal out as planned. It could only be Yalbury. We have had lovely meals there since we moved to West Dorset 4 years ago and when 'locked down' planned our release celebration. You did not disappoint. Great to see Arianne and Sophie again, and new staff charming. Food superb, just a shame that we were so full we couldnt manage desert! Must remember to starve ourselves for next visit so we can enjoy the beautiful choice.

A late cancellation meant we got lucky and made it to Yarlbury Cottage for dinner.It was just a delightful evening. A simply laid out menu (Field, Meadow, Sea etc) offered a small list of carefully imagined dishes. Having ordered a 'Yarlbury Classic' (Cheese soufflé) and Guernard, we were offered delicious amuses-bouche. When I gently pointed out I was a pescatarian, an additional crab ceviche on cucumber was miraculously conjured up - a very kind touch which speaks to the spirit of the place.

We are local to Dorchester and have visited twice for morning coffee...The location is stunning, the staff are friendly and efficient the coffee is superb... such a lovely place it makes us wish we lived further away to justify a stay...The food which we have glimpsed on its way to the afternoon tea room is something we will be returning for...special indeed....

Our first experience of eating at Yalbury Cottage will most definitely be the first of many visits ... this was, quite simply, an absolutely wonderful meal! The ambience is very relaxing and the staff were all delightful. We didn’t know what to expect, so the canapés that were provided as we awaited our starters (or ‘beginning’, as they refer to on the excellent menu) were a lovely surprise, and these were then followed by a superb cheese beignet with sour apple sauce too. The ‘middle’ course was as beautifully cooked and presented as the ‘beginning’. I had rump of lamb and my wife had the duck, and we both agreed we had never eaten better. It was such a splendid meal that we didn’t want to order an ‘end’, a dessert, as we had eaten all that we wanted, and we like to leave a restaurant feeling pleasantly satisfied rather than full, but it was very tempting to order, all the same. Another surprise followed though with a fantastic small elderflower chocolate cup, rather your usual foil-wrapped chocolate mint! This is a restaurant that clearly set out to delight their diners, and they most definitely succeed. A great chef and a great team ... we will be back, and soon!

Another great visit to Yalbury Cottage foe our 22nd Wedding Anniversary.Always made so welcome, The food is still first class prepared to perfection. Thanks to all and we will be seeing you again before to long.

Lovely place, excellent food and fantastic service with very friendly staff. I totally recommend it! We will returm

Held our wedding reception here ten years ago and visited again on Saturday for our tenth anniversary.Superb food as ever and a very warm welcome. Felt very safe - no issues or concerns with health and safety in place. Would highly recommend a visit. You will enjoy a lovely evening in the Dorset countryside with Jamie, Arianne and their staff.

This was an absolutely fantastic birthday meal. The menu is varied daily according to local produce.Amazing canapes and amuse bounce, Beignet with wild garlic aioli was beautiful.The souffle did not disappoint. My main course of the brisket with potato fondant was perfect.My husband had the egg tart with foraged pine cones in syrup- unique and unusual.Fantastic alternative concept to a cheeseboard was a lovely oat cake with an apple compote on top.Outstanding service, a meal to remember and hopefully be back once more before the end of our stay in Dorchester

Exceptional food, professional staff and an atmosphere which is 2nd to none. This place is just brilliant which is why we keep going back

A lovely place to celebrate a wedding anniversary with the family.Warm, friendly welcome. The menu was different and original enough to be interesting ; so difficult to choose!We had four different main courses - lamb, fish, beef, duck. Everything was absolutely perfect. Several nice little touches with the canapes etc.Couldn't rate this restaurant too highly.

We stayed at Yalbury Cottage for a special birthday and had a celebration dinner with four friends on a Sunday night. The room was clean and comfortable and had a lovely view overlooking fields with a bed that ensured a blissful night’s sleep. There was a large glass bottle of water, fresh coffee a cafetière and fresh milk and brownies in the room which made a nice touch and the service was superb . However what really impressed was the fabulous food and the chef made it extra special with delicious amuses bouches topped with caviar and petite fours at the end of the meal and the whole meal including champagne in the lounge beforehand made for a wonderful evening. Highly recommended.

Absolutely meal on Friday night. Recommended to friends we go here and they were amazed by the quality of the food and service. Happy to recommend to anyone who wants a meal which is above the rest

Stayed at Yalbury Cottage last weekend for 2 nights. What a lovely place this is. The staff were so friendly and welcoming from the moment we arrived. A very dog friendly place too, our dog Betty was made extremely welcome. Our room was gorgeous with a beautiful view. The food here is outstanding. We had afternoon tea on Saturday and it’s the best one I’ve ever had, even Betty was allowed to join us in the lounge for it. The breakfast was first class with so much choice and was cooked fresh to order. Our stay was a birthday treat from my husband and he couldn’t have chosen anywhere better. Thankyou to everyone at Yalbury Cottage for making our stay so enjoyable.

夕食も朝食も、ゆっくり落ち着いた食堂で楽しめました。夕食は宿泊日、2日前の予約でしたがなんとかテーブルを用意して頂きました。

Lovely little boutique hotel. Astounding find near to Dorchester. Had a trip to the tank museum in Bovington to see a pal. Following that we went to Dorchester for dinner. It was quite a long way from home ( sussex ) so I checked out booking.com. Yalbury Cottage had a fantastic deal on which given the reviews and the proximity to Dorchester was simply too good not to choose. Arrived about 7pm. Very friendly helpful staff. Beautiful newly carpeted room. All the amenities and fresh milk as well for tea and coffee. A couple of brownies were there too baked by the apprentice chef which were lovely. Proper cafetière with decaf coffee which makes a very pleasant change. Had a good sleep and then in the morning I had a fantastic breakfast in the restaurant. Great choice of fruit and cereal followed by again amazing choice of cooked breakfast. Veggie, fish, traditional English and fresh croissants to order if you aren’t already full ! I had the smoked salmon and egg which was lovely. All in all a great place to stay.

Really impressed with our welcome to the restaurant and service throughout our meal. The meal itself was absolutely superb. Will certainly visit again.

Excellent roast beef and a fantastic treacle tart. The food was excellent with an exceptionally high standard. This place is a hidden treasure. The staff were lovely and the setting perfect. I’m sure we shall definitely be going back. Thank you

Very friendly welcome to this rather stylish cottage (which is not small). Warm, well equipped, ample parking space and overall a very attractive building and a very nice room. Did not have evening meal here so cannot comment but looking forward to breakfast.

A warm, comfortable and traditional dinner with superb service and first class food quality. Not extensive but very adequate menu and good selection of wine including dorset wine. Friendly helpful and very respectful staff. Easy parking but hard to find.

Service is excellent, very attentive, food very good. Rooms need improvements, especially the heating. A bit pricey for what you get, especially the less than 100% rooms.

I have stayed at Yalbury Cottage on 3 occasions now, for a total of 4 nights, between August and November and every time I've been so impressed by the way Arianne and team provide the perfect blend of high quality service, accommodation and food in a warm and friendly setting. Tucked away in peaceful surroundings in the countryside and yet less than 10 minutes from historic Dorchester with all its amenities, you have the best of both worlds here. Each time I've visited, every member of the team has remembered me and even though I've been a solo, female traveller on business for 2 of my stays, I've always felt completely comfortable in the lounge for pre-dinner drinks and appetizers, as well as in the dining room with the mix of couples, families and celebrations.

Have eaten at Yalbury many times in the past, it’s our “go to” place for special occasions. Service and food is always first class. That still stands, but I have to say on our recent visit I did notice a couple of slight changes. The set meal prices have increased, to be expected, it hasn’t increased since we have been visiting but for this increase you appear to get slightly less. The canapés, whilst delicious were less per person than normal. The bread on the table wasn’t the normal individual handmade rolls, instead a larger one but cut into smaller portions. We have previously always been offered the “taste of cheese” before dessert, this time we weren’t and were unsure if it was still included so went without.

We had a fabulous weekend celebrating my mother's 90th birthday, with a warm welcome when we arrived, comfortable accommodation for 17 of us plus 3 dogs, and 2 excellent dinners for 23, the first informal with platters of cold meats, local cheeses and pickles, the second more formal, with especial mention for the excellent venison. As we had taken over the cottage, Ariane went to great trouble to allow us to do what we wanted, and I hope we were not too noisy when playing games after dinner! Thank you very much, my mother and all of us had a wonderful weekend.

And in our view Yalbury Cottage definitely deserves 5/5. Tired, low energy and buoyed by a space for a table for 2 on a Thursday, a colleague and I jumped a cab to Yalbury Cottage.

We have just returned from out 3rd visit to Yalbury and we were not disappointed. Ariane and Jamie run a fabulous restaurant with rooms. Really comfortable and so much to do and see in the area but the star attraction is the food. Varied and tasty breakfasts and wonderful evening meals. We shall definitely return for our fourth visit next year!

We have dined at Yalbury Cottage many times and it never fails to exceed expectations; there are so many little touches which just make for a perfect evening - the one percenters. And prices are reasonable. We recently took my daughter-in-law who is a coeliac pescatarian and they catered for her in style. A fantastic restaurant!

Our 1st visit here an anniversary treat - there seemed to be quite a few others celebrating too. We were fitted in at short notice, happy for pre-dinner drinks at 8. 30 and a table at 9. Lovely to be greeted and shown through to the lounge for a glass of fizz & canapés, then to our table on time

Based on recommendations and reviews, we were full of anticipation as we headed for this restaurant to celebrate my wife's brthday - and it over-achieved our expectations in so many ways.

We made our first visit to this restaurant yesterday evening to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We have lived in Dorchester for almost 30 years and have always meant to visit Yalbury cottage. We were warmly greeted, and were guided to the lounge for drinks and canapés whilst we chose our food. We had an excellent meal with wine, everything was very tasty and well presented and the service was very good despite the restaurant being full.

This is by far the best BnB I have stayed in. The cottage comes complete with a thatched roof giving it an authentic feel. The attention to detail is superb. Everything adds to the character of the place making it comfortable without being formal. The food is outstanding! We had breakfast and dinner. The dinners are especially of a high standard with very fresh well cooked seafood being the highlight for me. A real delight for a foodie like me because I wasn't expecting it.

I booked here to celebrate a special birthday; the setting is lovely and from the minute you enter you feel a very special guest. As others have mentioned, the canapes/pre drinks are a lovely way to calm down and start to enjoy the evening; the food is exquisite, both taste and presentation. Service is pitch perfect. Faultless. Will find an excuse to come again and maybe stay over. Thanks.

Good communications from the restuarant regarding the booking and friendly welcome. We had a pre meal drink in the lounge.

Very welcoming as soon as you arrive, with a room with the perfect view. Evening meal and breakfast were both outstanding. 5*

My husband and myself visited for our anniversary and wow what a lovely evening I booked a table and Informed them I was coeliac ( gluten free ).

Return here after a while but still has the same charm as previously. Staff very friendly, polite and helpful. Food was really really good although a short menu the choice was there a well balanced selection. Happy to highly recommend and will return again soon. Thank you

We spent two nights in this wonderful establishment and cannot fault it at all. From the moment we arrived we were treated as special guests. The bedroom had everything one needed. The beds were particularly comfortable. Fresh coffee and cafetière with homemade brownies were delicious. Even a slate was provided for my straighteners!

We mochten aperitieven in de lounge. Vriendelijke personeel. Het voorgerecht (voor mij slakken en voor mijn partner kaassoufflé was zeer lekker. Het hoofdgerecht was lam. Ook een voltreffer.

Wonderful location, lovely staff, fabulous food. Perfect for a special meal out. The quality of the food is of the highest and the menu is excellent.

A return visit - last time two years ago - and this delightful place has lost none of its charm and none of its high quality of accommodation and its food. Ariana and Jamie are wonderful hosts and the staff - Lydia, Sophie and Jim- reflect the standards perfectly. The food at breakfast and dinner is of the highest quality and the extensive wine list is reasonably priced. What a hidden gem; we will return.

Having heard many excellent reports from friends, but having never been able to book up due to Yalbury Cottage’s popularity, every effort had been made to secure a booking several months ago for my Wife’s special birthday (sorry, I could never reveal a lady’s age!).

Second visit and still as superb , arrived after a stop at Charmouth and were met by a delightful young lady and shown to our room.

On a quiet road and nestled amongst gently rolling fields dotted with grazing sheep, Yalbury Cottage invites a weary traveler or jaded city dweller to rest their head, absorb the sublime surroundings and partake in the delicious offerings served up by this amazing little establishment. It’s quiet and comfortable, has everything you need - but the real stars are the cooks! We enjoyed a pre dinner drink (with canapés on the house)in the cozy lounge, followed by a five star dinner. Breakfast (if you have any appetite the next morning) offers anything and everything you could want. Service was outstanding and rivaled the food. Highly recommended.

As you arrive you are greeted warmly, shown to your room, and have relevant details regarding meal times,etc, explained.My room was of a good size, and very comfortable.

Such a hidden gem, staff so friendly, food amazing, dinner set menu full of amazing flavours Well done to the chef and his team. Breakfast WOW all ingredients sourced locally. Imagine real bacon, locally sourced sausage fresh farm eggs from the local farmers. The village home of the poet and writer Thomas Hardy is small neat and the high street cottages are thatch-roofed and a delight. For dog walks there is an amazing path following the river to Dorchester. I would highly recommend Yalbury Cottages

I was taken to Yalbury Cottage for the weekend to celebrate my birthday, and it was superb. The welcome on arrival was excellent and the room exceeded expectations - big, bright and comfortable. The setting is really lovely with great gardens and surroundings. However, the big winner for me was the food.

This was superb. Canapés and a glass of wine in the cosy lounge first while looking at the menu. Super selection of great quality food. Good selection of wine and spirits especially whisky and some lovely ports. Dinner not expensive at all.

Perfect service, perfect food, perfect location, and even car parking. The taxi driver asked us, on our return journey, if we had enjoyed a good evening. We told him it was utterly delightful in every way. He then, with a grin, told us that he asks all his Yalbury customers the same question and so far has always had the same answer! So, don't listen to my review. Ask the taxi driver!

We were visiting my Mum who has recently moved to a care home in Dorchester and so wanted somewhere to stay. Thanks to Trip Advisor we lighted on Yalbury Cottage which seemed to have excellent reviews. We were not disappointed. Everything about this place was outstanding - from the warm welcome from Ariane and the extremely efficient service, to the lovely room at the back overlooking the garden. And the evening meal, courtesy of husband Jamie, their son and the rest of the kitchen team, was absolute perfection. We cannot wait to go back!

So this was a real pleasure! Hospitality good and welcome was warm. The quirky style of the place just added to the character. We had drinks in the lounge which were quite expensive (like everyone else I guess).

Great little place. Friendly owner who was super helpful and friendly

The quality of the food in this restaurant is a delight. Staff were friendly and attentive throughout the meal.

We went with friends for Sunday lunch which was tasty, the main course being the highlight. Starters and desserts both a little short of the mark, hence only 4* review. Being a sunny day, we were fortunate enough to enjoy a long, relaxing afternoon in the garden.

Booked a room hurriedly , due to a crisis , as the hotel was dog friendly . We had arranged to meet friends living nearby for food elsewhere . Now coming to write a review, realise we have missed an opportunity to eat in the restaurant. The breakfast was fantastic and matched the welcome and standard of bedroom , far better than the price paid . A fantastic location and so peaceful, we cannot wait to return and have a meal. Thank you .