Outbuildings - Ten Acres of Pure Dorset Magic

Forget everything you think you know about boutique farm stays. Outbuildings in Dorset isn't your typical countryside conversion - it's what happens when a family with 36 years of hospitality experience decides to transform an old dairy farm into something genuinely special.

Located just two miles north of Bridport, this 10-acre property sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which sounds like marketing speak until you actually see the rolling hills stretching endlessly beyond your private terrace. The approach tells you everything: instead of a corporate logo, you're greeted by flowering bushes, a central courtyard where restaurant tables spill naturally into the space, and the kind of authentic rusticity that can't be faked.

This is very much a family affair. Ed, the eldest son and former professional dancer, oversees management and service. His husband Dom handles marketing and interior design. Younger brother George tackles the carpentry and brickwork. It's the kind of hands-on approach that shows in every handcrafted detail, from the solid brass bull's head taps to the bespoke steel doors.

The property operates on a refreshingly honest principle: "family-run, but not family overrun." You get the warmth and attention of a family business without feeling like you're intruding on someone's living room.

Service strikes that perfect balance - efficient and friendly without hovering, with a concierge ready to arrange everything from train station pickups to walking route recommendations.

The Cart Shed

The restaurant sits at the heart of the farm, creating a natural hub for relaxation throughout the day. Breakfast celebrates all things Dorset - fresh eggs from Oldways Farm's pasture-raised hens, bacon from literally down the road, and locally grown mushrooms from Grown Up Mushrooms. The lunch menu focuses on Country Comforts and nibbles, perfect for a leisurely afternoon with coffee or cocktails.

Dinner showcases the "Just Down The Road" philosophy, with a dynamic menu that changes seasonally based on what's available from the kitchen garden and dedicated local suppliers.

Head chef Jussy Marshall curates dishes that genuinely taste of their place, while the Chef's Selection offers a four-course experience starting with award-winning sparkling wine from nearby Furleigh Estate.

The "Text for a Tipple" service means drinks can be delivered anywhere on the farm - your room, the hot tub, or wherever you happen to be lounging in a field.

The Accommodations

Every room at Outbuildings tells a story of thoughtful conversion. Unlike chain hotels where professional designers create identical spaces, these rooms reflect the family's personal touch - antique treasures mixed with modern comforts, historic features preserved alongside contemporary luxuries. Each accommodation, from former cider barrels storage to converted chicken coops, maintains its agricultural heritage while delivering genuine comfort.

All rooms except The Byre include full kitchenettes for self-catering, and every space features those essentials that signal real luxury: gigantic beds, cozy sofas, wood-burning stoves, pod coffee machines, and standalone bathtubs. Most come with private terraces and small gardens, creating intimate outdoor spaces that feel entirely your own. The signature own-brand toiletries are good enough that you can buy them at reception to take home - always a telling sign of confidence in the product.

The Cider Room

Once home to the orchard's cider barrels, this snug retreat preserves its historic soul while embracing modern comfort. The showstopper is a handmade super king-sized bed paired with a re-loved leather and tweed sofa positioned beside an in-room log burner. Exposed timber beams and double French doors flood the space with natural light, while the south-facing terrace offers uninterrupted views of the Dorset countryside.

The bathroom features the farm's most iconic bathtub - complete with that handcrafted solid brass bull's head tap that somehow manages to be both whimsical and elegant.

The Pressing Room

The former hub of apple cider production, this room sits conveniently close to The Cart Shed restaurant. Inside, you'll find another handmade Cornish Bed Co. super king-sized bed, a sumptuous linen sofa, and an in-room log burner.

The mini kitchen is perfect for preparing the locally sourced breakfast treats that arrive in your welcome hamper. Soaring oak timbers and historic flagstone floors give the space its character, while the deep brass Bateau bath provides the perfect spot to unwind - just "Text for a Tipple" and drinks will appear wherever you happen to be soaking.

The Granary

Perched above The Cart Shed, this expansive space accommodates up to four adults in a layout that feels more like a luxury apartment than a hotel room. The vast living area flows into a bedroom with an emperor-sized bed, complemented by a plush green velvet sofa and well-appointed kitchen.

The highlight is a square William Holland tin bath that doubles as a private indoor hot tub. A second bedroom features its own super-king bed, smart TV, and another luxurious tin bath, while the shared bathroom maintains privacy with separate sections and changing areas.

The Coop

Perhaps the most surprising conversion on the property, this former chicken coop has been transformed into a secluded retreat with stunning valley views. Large bespoke Crittal doors flood the open-plan living, dining, and bedroom area with light, leading to a private porch and meadow beyond.

The Copper Kitchen, complete with mini oven and coffee machine, pairs perfectly with the reclaimed saw bench dining table. The bathroom features heated floors and a woodland waterfall shower, while a dedicated reading room (which also serves as the loo) invites you to lose yourself in a good book.

The star feature is an al fresco William Holland copper bath where you can soak while surrounded by nature.

The Pen

This inaugural DIY shepherd's hut, crafted from 80% reclaimed materials, offers panoramic countryside views and the charming sight of sheep grazing outside bespoke steel doors. The compact yet efficient layout maximizes every inch - you can relax in the spacious copper bath while watching TV and feeling the warmth from the log burner simultaneously.

The Copper Kitchen features a mini oven and coffee machine, with a fold-up breakfast bar providing uninterrupted views while you eat. The bathroom continues the rustic theme with heated floors and a waterfall shower experience.

The Byre

A brief stroll from the main farmyard leads to this secluded two-room accommodation with private entrances. Note that cooking facilities aren't available here, but The Cart Shed's locally sourced menu is just a short walk or room service call away.

The spacious rainfall shower room, adorned with handmade tiles, features an expansive picture window that keeps the countryside in view even while you're washing. Deep green marble accents add elegant touches to the rustic charm.

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking vistas of the rolling Dorset hills, while inside, a plush super-king bed and cloud-like boucle sofa sit beside a cozy log burner.

The Hay Barn Cinema

Available exclusively for overnight visitors, this converted sheep box inside a massive old Dutch barn has been transformed into a private cinema with all the trimmings. A three-meter screen powered by a 3600 lumens HD projector connects to Apple TV, giving you complete control over your viewing experience. The renovated space features super comfortable loungers, bespoke soft furnishings, and heated blankets for chilly evenings.

The experience comes complete with cinema-style treats - a selection of pick 'n' mix, popcorn, and Two Farmers crisps - though you can also order dinner delivered directly to your private screening. With two time slots available daily, it's the kind of indulgent experience that makes you question why regular cinemas exist when you could have all this luxury to yourself.

Bubbles in The Woods

The evening hot tub experience offers complete privacy in a woodland setting, available exclusively for overnight visitors. The hot tub is cleaned and sanitized between each booking and completely emptied twice weekly, with only one reservation per day to ensure proper heating and sanitation.

Your reservation includes everything needed for the perfect soak - wood to maintain comfortable water temperature (though it'll be heated before your arrival), a waterproof Bluetooth speaker for your playlist, and fluffy robes for the journey to and from your room.