Pretty Bridport is a classically English market town, with quirky boutiques, friendly pubs and plenty of teashops. Come here to rummage in antique stores, admire the Georgian architecture, browse vintage bookshops, and dine on the freshest of fish. And to walk that world-famous Jurassic coastline: it's midway between Lyme Regis and Abbotsbury, and just 2 miles from the golden beach of West Bay.
Luckily for you, we've discovered Bridport's best-kept secret - a pair of delightful apartments in a Grade-II Georgian building right on Bucky Doo Square, the beating heart of this artsy town. Perched above an antiquarian bookshop and next to the Arts Centre, you couldn't be better placed. Inside, expect simple, elegant interiors in greys and blues, with velvet sofas, a roll-top bath, Smeg appliances, shutters and antique books. Both apartments have one double bedroom, a bathroom and an open-plan living/kitchen area (though, with the excellent foodie options on your door, we didn't cook much). It's perfect for a couple on a weekend break (or longer) - though we do advise booking as early as you can.
Highs
- Perfectly positioned in the centre of town, a stroll from shops, cafés and wonderful restaurants
- There are festivals here throughout the year celebrating everything from literature (November) to beer and even silly hats
- Fantastic beds with Vi-Spring mattresses and great-quality linens; beautiful bathrooms with mosaic-tiled floors
- Superb value, and only a 2-night minimum stay
- It's owned by a charity which supports education, literature and the arts in West Dorset; so your stay is helping to fund those
Lows
- Be prepared for some noise outside - especially weekend evenings in summer, Weds & Sat mornings for market set up, and during festivals
- The owners aren't on site but there's an emergency contact number
- No private parking but there's a long-stay car park 5 minutes' walk away (you'll probably want a car for day trips)
- Not really suitable for kids, and no dogs allowed
Best time to go
Bridport is delightful at any time of year. The town plays host to a number of festivals and events throughout the seasons, including a film festival in April, a food and beer festival in June, the infamous Hat Festival in September, and a literature festival in November. It gets very busy on market days (Saturdays and Wednesdays) and throughout the summer holidays.
Our top tips
The gorgeous vintage bookshop downstairs is perfect for souvenirs for your bookworm friends.
Dorshi is a great little restaurant hidden down a tiny lane, with a Prohibition-Era speakeasy atmosphere. Grab a seat at the bar upstairs and work your way through the imaginative cocktail list whilst dining on Asian-inspired buns and dumplings.
If coming over a summer weekend, you might want to bring earplugs for a sound night's sleep.
Dorshi is a great little restaurant hidden down a tiny lane, with a Prohibition-Era speakeasy atmosphere. Grab a seat at the bar upstairs and work your way through the imaginative cocktail list whilst dining on Asian-inspired buns and dumplings.
If coming over a summer weekend, you might want to bring earplugs for a sound night's sleep.
- Boutique Rentals
- 2 one-bedroom apartments
- Self-catering; restaurants nearby
- Allowed but not ideal
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
We adored our First-Floor Apartment. Sleek, minimalist and neat as a pin, it was a 'this is what life would be like if we didn't have children' joy. The stylish décor is a nod to the Georgian building, but thoroughly modern in its practicality. A super-comfy kingsize bed, luxury linens and fluffy towels provide comfort at every turn, and an elegant roll-top bath in the bedroom is a seriously decadent touch. There's also a large rain shower in the airy ensuite bathroom, along with his'n'hers sinks. The open-plan living space has a small kitchenette with Nespresso, cooker, hob and a mini fridge for basic essentials. There's also a washing machine for longer stays.
Up above is the equally beautiful Top-Floor Apartment, but this one has a smaller, walk-in monochrome shower room and no bath (reflected in the price). The bedroom is a little smaller too, but you get dreamy views across the fields beyond town. Just laze on the velvet sofa with the papers - bliss.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Bridport is blessed with a wealth of eateries in and around the town. If you don't want to cook (and who does on a minibreak?), there's no shortage of eateries on your doorstep. We had a brilliant evening in Dorshi, an Asian-inspired bar and restaurant just around the corner, with innovative cocktails and noodles. Otherwise the Bull Hotel is close by and their Stables restaurant is popular for pizza. In West Bay, try the Watch House Café on the beach or the quirky Station Kitchen - an old railway carriage.
For breakfast, we DIYed it one morning, and on the other day strolled to the Soulshine Café for delicious detox food - think smoothies, Aussie-inspired brekkies and salads. It has a little garden for sunny days.
Features include:
- Coffee maker
- Hob or stove
- Kitchenette
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
- Basic ingredients
Activities
- Shop, eat, browse, repeat; from market stalls to vintage stores and artisan delis, there is plenty to drool over here
- Head to the Jurassic Coast at West Bay for a beautiful sandy beach and great walking along the clifftops
- Guided fossil-hunting tours are bookable in town
- The apartments are next door to the Arts Centre, which hosts plays, ballet, concerts and comedy nights - check the schedule in advance
- Or catch a show at Electric Palace, the fabulous retro cinema just down the road
- Lyme Regis is close; a picturesque seaside town famous for its film scenes and great restaurants (including Hix Oyster & Fish House)
- You're near the Devon border, too; day-trip to Seaton (great birdwatching along the Axe Estuary), Beer (once a smugglers' haven, with an intricate underground cave system), Branscombe (the so-called 'prettiest village in the county') and Axminster (to lunch at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's famous River Cottage Canteen)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wildlife
Kids
Although children are theoretically allowed, there's nothing for them here. You'd need to bring a travel cot/rollaway bed, and be prepared to lug all your kit up 1 or 2 flights of stairs.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The apartments are in the centre of Bridport, a market town just inland from the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
By Air:
Exeter (56km) is the closest airport, or you could fly into Bristol (111km). From the airport, take a taxi or hire a car.
By Train:
The nearest train stations are Dorchester and Crewkerne. Direct trains from London take about 2 hours 30 minutes; then take a taxi or bus to Bridport (20-30 minutes).
By Car:
There's a long-stay car park 5 minutes' walk away.
Airports:
- Exeter 56.0 km EXE
- Bristol 111.0 km BRS
Other:
- Beach 2.5 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
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