Portman Lodge Bed and Breakfast near Ashley Wood Golf Club, Blandford Forum, Dorset

Bed & Breakfast in Thomas Hardy Country - "As featured in the Automobile Association’s 2007 Guide Britain’s Best Bed & Breakfast"

Portman lodge is the main wing and entrance into a large Victorian building originally known as St Martin’s House. The house was built for Lord Portman’s estate in the late 19th century and is thought to have been a residence for choristers for St Martin’s church. The majority of the original fixtures and fittings remain in particular the attractive Victorian tiled floor in the entrance hall and corridor.  You will find yourselves surrounded by pictures and paintings, rugs and carpets and artefacts from around the world that represent a collection of the owners extensive life working and living overseas.

The house offers 3 double or 2 double and 1 twin bedded room. All rooms are fully en suite with both bath and shower facilities in each room. The rooms also have radio and television, hairdryer, trouser press and hospitality trays. All three rooms are individually decorated with its own theme and as they are situated to the side and rear of the building are quite quiet and protected from any traffic noise from the adjacent road. All rooms are fitted with ceiling fans in anticipation of our English summer weather.

All of our cooking uses fresh local produce and our “Full English Breakfast” has earned much praise. Having travelled extensively and experienced breakfast from Israeli olives to Somali lamb’s kidneys we feel we know the preferred way to start the day. As Barbara is vegan by choice we are quite competent in serving vegan and vegetarian fare. Other diets and religious exceptions are catered for upon request. Lunch or dinner is available by prior arrangement for a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 persons.

The house has a private patio area for guest use at the rear of the house. It is very pretty in the summer and suitable for quiet relaxation in the open air.

Locality
Blandford Forum is a compact Dorset market town (pop. Circa 8000) that lies 22 miles south-west of Salisbury and 15 miles north of Poole, a port on the south coast of England. The surrounding countryside is typical of what anyone would expect who has read any Thomas Hardy novel. Rolling hills and vales inundated with hunting chases.

Other attractions in the area include the Jurassic Coast, Monkey World, Bovington Tank Museum, Kingston Lacey House, Clouds Hill (home of Lawrence of Arabia) and Tolpuddle (of martyrdom fame).  Portman Lodge is conveniently located very close to a number of facilities. Riding stables, bowling green, cricket field, tennis courts, Health Club with indoor swimming pool all lie within a 100 metre radius of the house. Another 100 metres in the Shaftsbury direction lies the Mill Down a dedicated wildlife area run by the local council for walking and jogging in pretty countryside with views over the surrounding countryside.

There are 2 golf courses within easy driving distance. Blandford Forum boasts of all major services. There are adequate medical services including a small hospital and 2 doctor’s surgeries within walking distance of the house. Two major supermarkets, major banks and a good variety of shops and businesses service the town.

Golf nearby:
Ashley Wood Golf Club
Described by Peter Alliss as “The best kept secret in Dorset”, the course is one of the oldest in the country.  Constructed on downland, the fairways are undulating and although hole 3 does have a short sharp hill, all others are easy walking. The course is rarely closed for long, and trolleys have only been banned for four days during the last ten years.  The par 70 course is 6270 yards long with some ‘open’ drives and some requiring more accuracy. It is a good test of golf for all levels of ability.

Rushmore Golf Club
A superb 18 hole championship golf course located near Salisbury on the Wiltshire, Dorset borders, offering an outstanding golf and social product and a unique, unpretentious atmosphere quite different to more traditional Golf Clubs. The course is available to visitors seven days a week, subject to other bookings, and they will always be assured a warm welcome.

Bulbury Woods Golf Club
A stunning setting with spectacular views over the Purbeck hills and Poole plus a quality Clubhouse make Bulbury Woods Golf Club not only the perfect golf course for a pleasurable and testing round, but it is also a place where you will receive a warm welcome and fine hospitality.


Contact Us:

Portman Lodge
Whitecliff Mill Street
Blandford Forum
Dorset, DT11 7BP
Tel: & Fax: +44 (0) 1258-453727
E Mail:  enquiries@portmanlodge.co.uk
Website:  www.portmanlodge.co.uk