We review Outbuildings Dorset, a boutique farm’otel for adults that’s pure romance in the woods

In the West Dorset countryside, there’s an idyllic retreat for city dwellers seeking respite: Outbuildings Dorset. This family-run farm’otel is part luxe hotel, part working farm, and part wellness and activity hub. It’s 360-degree R&R that feels a world away, but in actual fact is just a 2.5-hour train journey from London Waterloo to Crewkerne. Tip: book ahead of time on South Western Railway for the best prices. From Crewkerne, you’ll take a short cab ride to Outbuildings. The family has been here for yonks, and the community is tight. Your driver knows them well. We visited the countryside getaway on a chilly spring weekend to unplug and immerse ourselves in the woods.

Outbuildings Dorset review

A family home

Owned and operated by the Whitehead family, every part of the Outbuildings Dorset experience is steeped with personality. The family lives in the main farmhouse, along with their two dogs, so the property is like an extension of their home. Their warmth is radiant throughout. The many acres of land means guests can hide out in their rooms without encountering one another, as they would at a secluded villa. But when they’re ready to surface, the family and their inviting social spaces are ready to re-welcome. 

Outbuildings’ aesthetics aren’t driven by fashion or trends but by their passion for quality. The decor is classic in style and plush to the touch. Everything is thoughtful, and that’s why sustainability is at the core of their ethos; you’ll find no plastic water bottles here.

The outbuildings

There are seven, soon to be nine, outbuildings, each with their own rustic look and feel. They’re essentially little houses, or cabins, converted from chicken coops, pig styes, and cider presses, which you’ll notice in their naming. Each sleeps between two and six adults, and while this is a blissful child-free destination, (well-behaved) furry friends are welcome.

Our abode was The Coop, which is set slightly away from the rest of the farmyard and boasts views over the West Dorset valleys. We were immediately drawn to the cosiness of it: the two-story cabin is decked in timber with exposed beams, and a large antique couch facing a sparkling fireplace that was surprisingly easy to ignite. All of The Coop was designed, built, and furnished by the Whiteheads and you can see how much love was put into every little detail.

In front of the lounge area, there’s an al fresco William Holland copper bath, and this completely opens up via shutters so guests can watch the birds and clouds fly by as they bathe. Back inside, a bathroom with heated floors was a treat during the chill, as were the handmade pamper products courtesy of Oleo (they smelled incredible). Fluffy grey towels and robes by the sink rounded out the homey offering.

Up the staircase, the bedroom is lit by a double lamp and is deliciously covered in throws on a super king handmade bed, topped by a William Morris velvet headboard and a Naturalmat organic mattress. Adjacent is an upper-floor window, another viewpoint from which to enjoy the meadow and resist temptation to scroll on a digital device. However, that’s not to say you’ll have to go all analog. Back downstairs, a smart TV with complimentary streaming services is synced up for movies, and super fast Wifi ensured our streaming evening went undisturbed.

Finally, the copper kitchen makes The Coop an all-encompassing country haus. It comes with a mini oven and large prep space for cooks, and there’s a Dualit coffee machine stocked with pods. The milk, which comes with your breakfast hamper, is fresh and local. Dine on the dining area table, or in warmer months, stoke up the outdoor fire on the private all-season patio to nosh at leisure. Speaking of food…

Food and drink

The best way to describe the food at Outbuildings is local, wholesome, and nutritious, but not in a fad diet kind of way. More of a mumma’s scratch cooking style. Indeed, mum Karen’s shepherd’s pie was so good we burned our mouths from eating it so quickly. It was the best we’d ever tasted. That was with in-room dining, which is available daily and served fully prepared. Meanwhile, BBQ Hampers have flexible delivery times and come ready for you to throw right on the grill.

A dinner reservation at The Cart Shed is a must. The barn interiors and tables lit by oil lamps are a throwback to simpler times. However, your food is prepared by the hands of a renowned chef: Mark Kick, formerly of The Ivy West Street. His seasonal menu brings, literally, farm-to-table goodness. We joined Mark’s supper club at £75 per person, including a welcome glass of English sparkling, and tucked into West Country scallops, 28-day hung Dorset steak ‘frites’, and pear tarte tatin. Every dish was flawless.

There’s also a ‘Text for a Tipple’ number whereby you shoot a message and your choice of drink, made from locally sourced ingredients, is delivered to you anywhere on the farm – so good!

The Hay Barn Cinema

A unique staycation experience for most, on the property you’ll find a recently renovated sheep box inside the old Dutch barn, now serving guests as a high-end cinema. A huge three-metre screen and 3600 lumens HD projector provide an exceptional quality viewing experience. Starting at just £80 for two guests, you select your Sky Cinema (or other) movie along with the comforts of electrical heated blankets and hot water bottles, plus snacks aplenty. The package includes baked handmade pizza breads; crisps, popcorn & sweet treats; and hot chocolate and marshmallows. It’s a feast (and if you’ve got dinner covered for the night, you’ll want to book the barn earlier). A romantic experience for couples or a fun few hours to escape with pals.

Things to do

Set in verdant nature, the list of outdoor activities is endless. Tourist draws in the area include West Bay Beach, famous for its magnificent sandstone cliffs, and the quaint town of Bridport, a spot for farmers’ markets and independently owned businesses.  For something extra special and romantic, consider Bubbles in the Woods back on the property; a hot tub experience served with fizz. Robes and a waterproof Bluetooth speaker are provided so you can soundtrack to your heart’s content.

What to pack for a weekend in the countryside

City kid’s debut in the wilderness? We’ve got you covered. First, you’ll need good wellies. The Original Muckboot Company has solid options that are waterproof, flexible, and warm for a sloshy day in Dorset. A rugged outsole with a good grip is recommended. A REI Co-Op jacket is handy for the unpredictable British weather—in the winter we recommend an insulted one, and at other times a rain jacket with a hood will do. 

Keep the hot things hot and the cold things cold in a YETI. If you’re exploring with an Apple Watch, Nomad’s Sport Bands are light and waterproof, suitable even for intense outdoor activity. AWAY’s all-weather backpacks keep your stash dry on those hikes around the hills. Finally, disconnect to reconnect, and bring cards for The Coop. Couples can trade Netflix for Let’s Get Closer prompt cards instead. For more travel product inspiration, check out The Hotel Journal’s favourite luggage brands and travel pillows.

Coming back to the city

We really didn’t want to. The whole vibe of the Outbuildings Dorset was so freeing, so welcoming, and showed us things we could do better back home in London, like supporting independent businesses and being more sustainable. The owners gave each guest better service than you’d find at a five-star hotel, except here it’s done with authenticity. In that, they really want to help you feel good. We’ve already told all our London friends about it and hope to return in the future. 10/10.

Find out more about Outbuildings Dorset

But wait, there’s more:

• If you love being out in the British countryside, how about a trip to the quaint Montagu Arms in New Forest?
• Add our best boutique hotels in Europe to your travel bucket list
• For a beach getaway, peruse our complete guide to Margate, Kent