The village of Fontmell Magna is located between Shaftesbury and Blandford in the heart of North Dorset's Blackmore Vale and on the edge of Cranborne Chase to the East.

The village pub, The Fontmell, offers find food in its restaurant dining room, as well as a lovely bar where you can relax with a drink and light meals. Having recently undergone extensive refurbishment it is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors from further afield.

There are sereral other excellent pubs nearby to suit all tastes and budgets. 

Shaftesbury - our local town - has an historic ruined abbey with spectacular views towards Dorset Gap which can be picked out on a clear day. There is much to explore, several individual specialist shops, cafes and the "best cheese sold in Dorset". Near the top of the winding High Street, behind the Town Hall is the world famous Gold Hill of the Hovis advertisement. There is a lovely walk down the cobbled hill to the Pump Yard.

To the south Blandford Forum is one of the finest examples of a Georgian Market Town. The Royal Engineers have a Museum nearby.

The Countryside and Walking

There are several footpaths crossing the farm, some leading to Fontmell Down which is a remarkable area  managed by the National Trust in memory of Thomas Hardy, a man of Dorset. Iron Age cross dykes traverse the tops of the Down. The land is unimproved chalk grassland carefully grazed to encourage a diverse ground flora and providing a wonderful habitat for butterflies; the rare Adonis Blue and Duke of Burgandy fritillary amongst others.  

There is a short walk over our farm. If lucky you might spot a hare, roe deer, badgers (at dusk), and a very good range of bird species including green woodpeckers, buzzards and skylarks. Mown paths lead through an area of young woodland, planted by James, down to a large pond created in 2008. Already home to a multitude of invertebrates – and occasional visiting ducks when Polo our Labrador, is in a wildlife friendly mood!

James and Caroline are keen walkers and knowledgeable about the area. They  have local OS maps to lend and can direct or lead guests, be it for an hours walk or an all day trek with packed lunch (which we can provide if ordered).

Croft Farm is just off the Dorset Cycleway. Well-equipped bikes can be hired from a local company which will deliver/collect from here.

Things to do close by

For guests who wish to relax, why not visit The Fontmell Magna Yoga Sanctuary  for retreats and yoga weekends.

Also in Fontmell Magna, Springhead is a licensed venue for small weddings. There is accommodation on site but we offer an alternative very close by. As well as running its own courses, Springhead is hired by individuals and companies for their own training sessions, lectures and workshops. Teachers of Tai Chi, music and the arts find its atmosphere  inspirational and conducive to learning.

Compton Abbas Airfield - Flying Events including a Charity Fly-in, a BAA Aerobatic Competition and  The Dorset Air Race. It’s a great place to watch and to eat or have a drink.

Extraordinary Equine Centre - American Bashkir Curly Horses, Zeebras,  and a zorse. Much to see and a lot to learn about.

All the above are less than 2 miles away.