Itinerary – 48 hours in Dorchester – A luxurious weekend in Dorset
Friday afternoon
Don’t waste any time. Unwind for the weekend in style at Monart Spa in Poundbury with a 3-hour thermal experience. This 5 Star Day Spa is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am – 8pm meaning that it is a great way to relax after your journey to Dorchester and a great way to delve straight into your luxury weekend.
With the 3 hours thermal experience you will have a private relaxation lounger and access to the thermal suite. Monart’s state of the art Thermal Suite is based on ancient heating and cooling bathing rituals it is comprised of a hydrotherapy pool and eight individual thermal experiences including;
- Himalayan Salt Grotto
- Sanarium
- Aroma Steam Room
- Infrared Pro Room
- Caldarium
- Sauna
- Polaris Ice Fountain
- Experience Showers
The resulting thermal journey offers you the ultimate relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Friday evening
If you aren’t too relaxed, then head out for a dinner experience to remember at Yalbury Cottage in the beautiful village of Lower Bockhampton, Birthplace of Thomas Hardy.
The kitchen at Yalbury Cottage is headed by the owner, Jamie Jones. He has worked in some of the top establishment around the world as executive chef for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Jamie strongly believes in bringing cooking back to its purest form, choosing only the finest raw ingredients from the best suppliers in the county.
Saturday morning
After a luxurious night’s sleep at The King’s Arms in one of their Epic Double Rooms with in-room roll-top bathtubs, super king size beds and fabulous bathrooms, enjoy a decadent breakfast made with local ingredients in the hotel restaurant.
Afterwards, take the short journey to the outskirts of Dorchester to nearby Kingston Maurward. With free entry, you can take your time exploring 35 acres of beautiful formal gardens with year-round interest including two National Plant collections, sweeping lawns, and lakeside walks all set within Grade II listed parkland. The spectacular formal gardens were created by the Hanbury Family between 1915 and 1922 within the existing framework of an eighteenth-century Capability Brown style parkland setting and the vestiges of a Victorian garden.
Saturday Afternoon
When you have finished exploring the beautiful gardens, head back to Dorchester to visit Poundbury and enjoy a leisurely Lunch at The Duchess of Cornwall Inn, named by King Charles III after his wife, and now Queen, Camilla before they ascended the throne.
Duchess of Cornwall Inn is a handsome three-storey pub and hotel that’s teeming with character. It is a great venue to sample the excellent local food and drink grown and produced in the surrounding area, including sparkling wine from the local awarding Langham Wine Estate, more on that tomorrow!
Spend the afternoon exploring Poundbury, an urban extension Dorchester. Poundbury is built on Duchy of Cornwall land, in accordance with the principles of architecture and urban planning as advocated by King Charles II in his book ‘A Vision of Britain’.
The Architecture of Poundbury is worth noting whilst exploring the development. It reflects local character and identity. The mews-style homes are traditional in appearance, with period features such as wrought iron fences, porticos, gravelled public squares, and “bricked-up” or blind windows. There is a huge selection of independent luxurious fashion and homeware shops dotted around Poundbury to visit too!
Saturday evening
After a quick freshen up back at The King’s Arms, stroll up the road to the historic Al Molo for a special evening meal. The beautiful building that is now home to the award winning Al Molo Italian and Fish Restaurant was originally owned by the Monastery at Abbotsbury as long ago as 1270! It was also temporary lodging house of the notorious ‘hanging judge’ Judge Jeffreys in 1685.
The restaurant features two Jacobean rooms, Tudor fireplaces and is one of the few surviving timber-framed buildings in Dorchester. The menu uses the freshest locally caught Dorset fish and locally sourced produce, along with the finest Italian ingredients.
Don’t want the night to stop there? Head back down the same street to the Corn Exchange and enjoy one of the many frequent plays or productions put on by Dorchester Arts. You can’t miss this impressive Grade II* Listed Building in the centre of Dorchester with its clocktower, and walls of Broadmayne brick with Bath and Portland stone dressings.
Sunday morning
Finish off your weekend of luxury in Dorchester with a late morning guided tour at nearby Langham Wine Estate. From £25.00 per person, you can learn about all the stages in producing world-class, traditional method, sparkling wines. The 2-hour tour involves a tour of our vineyard and winery followed by a tutored tasting of 3 of their award-winning wines.
