Six Stay in Dorset

Last weekend we went away en famille to The Fontmell Arms, Dorset. This was Hannah’s Christmas present to us all, and so Six (plus two dogs) went to stay in Dorset!

The Fontmell Arms is a lovely foodie, dog friendly, village pub with rooms, set in the rolling Dorset countryside, not far from Shaftesbury.

We arrived en masse, and after dumping our overnight bags in our cosy and perfectly well appointed rooms, we quickly settled into the bar, (dogs and all), for drinks and snacks.

Home made sausage rolls, from the pubs own hand reared pigs, followed for the carnivores, whilst equally lovely homemade Salmon Tarmasalata, Hummus and Courgette Fritti, arrived for the veggies and dieters.

Quaffed alongside pints of Guiness and red wine, the boys were too settled, and too eager not to miss out on ringside seats for the Calcutta Cup rugby, to contemplate a walk, but the girls, especially Bella and Buttons, were definitely up for it.

Map, (well sketch on the back of a napkin), in hand, us girlies were about to hit proper Dorset countryside!

Fontmell Magna has a perfectly clear stream flowing through it, in fact it runs right through the pub, between the bar and the restaurant, and there is a rough-triangle shaped head of water at the top of the village, that feeds it.I it is very picturesque indeed.

We were to head along the snow drop banked stream, cross a small bridge at the weir, and up into pasture fields and the hills.

Now it was a stunner of a February day, bright and cold, with blue skies and perfect visibility.

However, as we progressed up a (very) steep incline, across rutted and muddy fields, you could say the going was an incy bit tough – ok I’m completely unfit – but we quickly found we were carrying our equivalent body weight in mud stuck to our boots!

And there were stiles – quite a few to effortlessly leap over, as demonstrated very ably by the girls below – me, well, not so much! I think you call that un-stile-ish, (groan)!

The dogs, Bella and Buttons, however were in their element. It was too early in the year for the fields to yet be in use, and so they were able to be off the lead without fear of them worrying any livestock. Needless to say they quickly reverted to full puppy and stick chasing mode!

The views from the top of the hill were simply stunning, invoking rousing hymnal references to ‘England’s Green and Pleasant Land’

It was absolutely bitter up there, so I channelled my inner Audrey Hepburn, wrapping my scarf ‘artfully’ around my head, so as to avoid raging ear-ache. Again the girls pull off this whole country look with somewhat more aplomb than me!

We also somehow managed to misinterpret the really very simple napkin map, meaning we doubled the distance of our intended walk and had no idea where we were going!

Factor in, Charlotte falling over, (of course she did she was wearing Hunter boots with heels -although she did miss the cowpat!), and my dodgy knees, and soon neither of us could see Hannah or the dogs as they strode ahead into the distance!

Charlotte and I hobbled on, taking snaps of all the very pretty scenes around us, when suddenly a knight in shining armour, (well Josh and Hannah in a Nissan Navara), appeared, and we were whisked into a warm pub in minutes!

We watched the Rugby, chatted with the locals, and settled into the bar with the dogs for a most delicious and very welcome evening meal – fresh air really does make you ravenous!

We had a truly wonderful family evening, the wine flowed, we played cards, chatted and generally caught up, stayed up late and enjoyed each others company – it was lovely.

The next morning we convened at the predetermined and very civilised time of 10 for a super, full works breakfast together, before heading back home in the February sunshine for a lazy day in front of the fire.

What a lovely present – you can’t beat making memories together!

The Fontmell is offering an exclusive 15% discount off all bookings, (subject to availability), available to Home at the Heart readers.

CLICK HERE to find out more.