THE  OLD  BANK 

Our bed and breakfast in Dorset is close to many National Trust, English Heritage and other historic properties in the area, from the houses and gardens of Stourhead, Kingston Lacy and Montecute to the beaches and wildlife reserves of Studland, Brownsea Island and the Golden Cap Estate.

Other heritage and historical attractions include Salisbury Cathedral and the famous monument of Stonehenge to the east and Sherborne Abbey and Castle to the west.  Further south the  Jurassic coast of Dorset is a designated world heritage site and abounds with fossils and the skeletal remains of dinosaurs.  Other areas of the coast offer sandy and safe beaches for relaxation.  Travelling north, visit the beautiful Georgian town of Bath with its famous Pump Room and Roman Baths. Nearby, Shaftesbury and Sherborne with their quirky streets, tempting gift and coffee shops are only a few miles away.

Cyclists and walkers enjoy holidays in Dorset, touring our ‘forgotten county’ – there is always something interesting to do and somewhere interesting to see whatever appeals to you.

Many visitors come to enjoy the various spectacular festivals that take place nearby.  Apart from the many food festivals, (see Places to Eat page) there are such events as The Great Dorset Steam Fair,  "widely recognised as “THE” National Heritage Show as well as being regarded as the leading show of its type in the World.".  The Chalk Valley History Festival is another week long event that has gained popularity, with many well known historians and speakers coming to take part in discussions.

We try to give our guests a holiday in which they can relax and discover the delights of Dorset life.  Thomas Hardy called the village of Marnhull ‘Marlott’ and it is the village where ‘Tess’ of Tess of the d’Urbervilles grew up.  There are many landmarks in the village that Hardy enthusiasts will recognise and enjoy as well as the views across the Blackmore Vale - ‘the Vale of the Little Dairies’.