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Summary of reviewsThe Anvil Inn, nestled in a picturesque village just outside Blandford Forum, consistently garners praise for its idyllic location and charming blend of historical elegance and modern comfort. Guests appreciate its proximity to various attractions, like the renowned tank museum and the Jurassic Coast, making it a perfect base for exploration. Its strategic positioning allows convenient access to both business hubs and tourist sites, enhancing its appeal to a wide range of visitors.
One of the standout features of The Anvil Inn is its breakfast, often described as excellent, delicious and well-cooked. Guests appreciate the variety and generous portions with specific mentions of the English farmhouse breakfast and superb sausages. The attentive and friendly staff contribute to a seamless and enjoyable breakfast experience. Similarly, the dinner offerings are highly commended with dishes like homemade pizza and roast meals receiving special mentions. Although there are occasional minor critiques, the overall dining experience is consistently positive, highlighted by high-quality food and efficient service.
The rooms at The Anvil Inn are praised for their comfort and cleanliness. Guests find the accommodations cozy and well-maintained with rustic charm and modern amenities providing a quaint yet comfortable experience. While some rooms might show minor wear or have limited headroom, particularly in the eaves, the general consensus is that the rooms are lovely, clean and provide a pleasant stay.
Cleanliness is a notable strength of The Anvil Inn with rooms consistently described as spotless and well-kept. The bathrooms are clean and provide reliable hot water, adding to the overall comfort. The friendly and helpful staff further enhance the experience, contributing to a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the inn.
The staff at The Anvil Inn receive high marks for their friendliness, attentiveness and efficiency. Guests often highlight their pleasant interactions, noting how the staff's hospitality significantly contributes to a memorable stay. Staff members are consistently mentioned as a strong point, ensuring guests feel welcome and well-cared for.
Beds at The Anvil Inn are generally found to be very comfortable, contributing to a restful sleep. While some guests may find the beds a bit too soft or small, the overall bedding experience is positive, adding to the comfort and coziness of the rooms.
Overall, The Anvil Inn offers exceptional value for money and consistently exceeds guest expectations. Its cleanliness, great food, friendly staff and charming historic ambiance create a delightful and memorable experience for visitors. The inn serves as a fantastic backdrop for special occasions and everyday visits alike, blending old-world charm with contemporary comfort in a way that leaves little to be desired. Show more
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Categories
Historic Inn
This 17th-century thatched pub was formerly the village forge, a key historical role in a rural community. It retains traditional architectural features such as exposed beams and a stone fireplace, reflecting its age and origins.
Accessible Inn
The Anvil Inn provides facilities for disabled guests and offers wheelchair-accessible parking. While it does not have a lift, the inn is equipped to accommodate guests with mobility needs in its accessible areas.
Inn with Free Wi-Fi
Cheap Inn
Small Inn
4-Star Inn
Room Types
Single RoomThis lovely and bright room has free Wi-Fi access and a flat-screen TV. There is also an en suite bathroom with a hairdryer.
Double RoomThis lovely and bright room has free Wi-Fi access and a flat-screen TV. There is also an en suite bathroom with a hairdryer.
Twin RoomThis lovely and bright room has free Wi-Fi access and a flat-screen TV. There is also an en suite bathroom with a hairdryer.
Nestled in a beautiful village just outside Blandford Forum, The Anvil Inn boasts a prime location that leaves guests raving. Its proximity to numerous local attractions, including the renowned tank museum and the majestic Jurassic Coast, makes it an excellent base for exploration. The inn, a charming blend of historical elegance and modern comfort, offers easy access to Dorset's many points of interest.
Guests consistently highlight the inn’s strategic positioning, which is ideal for both business trips and leisurely visits. Whether it’s a short drive to the bustling town or a scenic journey to Stonehenge and Poole, the location facilitates convenient travel. The quiet, picturesque surroundings enhance the charm of this spotlessly clean and welcoming inn, making it a pleasant retreat for all visitors.
Breakfast
Guests at The Anvil Inn overwhelmingly praise the breakfast experience, noting it as a highlight of their stay. The breakfast is consistently described as excellent, delicious and well-cooked. The variety and choice available stand out with plenty of options to suit different tastes, ensuring a good selection for everyone. The breakfast can be pre-ordered the night before, allowing for a smooth and timely service in the morning.
Many appreciate the generous portions and the presentation of the meals. The English farmhouse breakfast and the superb sausages receive specific commendations. Service is another strong point with guests frequently mentioning the friendly and attentive staff who provide excellent and helpful service.
While there are occasional minor issues, such as a salty kipper or an overcooked ingredient, these are exceptions in otherwise glowing reviews. Overall, the breakfast at The Anvil Inn is described as enjoyable and satisfying with a combination of good food and excellent service making it a memorable part of the stay.
Dinner
The Anvil Inn boasts an impressive dining experience, highlighted by a great selection of food with many guests praising the excellent dinner and breakfast options. The restaurant's dishes are often described as delicious and of high quality with specific mentions of the homemade pizza and roast meals being particularly fantastic and tasty. Diners enjoyed both the evening meals and the breakfast with the quantity and taste of the food meeting high standards consistently.
Guests commend not only the food but also the service, noting that the staff are friendly, efficient and contribute to an overall pleasant dining experience. The breakfast included in the room price offers a good selection, which adds to the value of staying at the inn. While a few reviews mention that some evening meals could be plain or mediocre, the general consensus remains that The Anvil Inn delivers great food and a superb culinary experience that enhances the overall stay.
Rooms
The rooms at The Anvil Inn receive high praise for their comfort and cleanliness. Guests found the accommodations to be cozy and well-appointed with many highlighting the immaculate conditions and neat décor. Even the smaller rooms were noted as comfortable and pleasant, featuring everything one might need, including comfortable beds and nice bathrooms. Some rooms were particularly spacious and offered ample storage space, ensuring a comfortable stay. The inn’s rustic charm and ye olde world atmosphere add to the overall appeal, creating a quaint and authentic experience. Despite the property's old-fashioned appearance, it is well-maintained with rooms being tidied and cleaned daily.
However, a few minor issues were noted. Some rooms showed a bit of wear and tear and headroom could be limited, especially in rooms located in the eaves, making them challenging for taller guests. Additionally, certain rooms experienced noise issues, possibly due to their proximity to generators or other machinery.
Overall, guests find The Anvil Inn’s rooms to be lovely, clean and comfortable, consistently enjoying their stay thanks to the combination of modern amenities and rustic charm. The friendly and helpful staff, along with a pleasant breakfast, further enhance the experience, making it a well-regarded destination for travelers seeking comfort and character.
Beds
The beds at The Anvil Inn generally receive positive feedback from guests, often being described as really comfy, very comfortable and cosy. Guests frequently highlight their pleasant experiences with comfortable beds and appreciate the overall cleanliness and comfort of the rooms. Comments also praise the comfortable bedding alongside other amenities like en-suite bathrooms with decent power showers. However, some reviews note that the beds can be a bit too soft for certain preferences or occasionally a little small for two people. Despite these minor issues, most guests found their bedding experience to be a positive aspect of their stay.
Cleanliness
The Anvil Inn impresses with its exceptional cleanliness and comfortable accommodations. Guests consistently describe the rooms as very clean, tidy and well-maintained, providing a comfortable atmosphere for a relaxing stay. The hotel's bathrooms are also noted for their cleanliness and reliable hot water supply.
Visitors highlight the friendly and helpful staff as an added bonus, ensuring that any needs are promptly met and making the overall experience enjoyable. The hotel's commitment to cleanliness is evident with spotless rooms that are serviced daily and numerous sanitizer stations throughout the property.
The inn itself has a charming, warm and inviting ambiance, making it not just a place to stay but a pleasant experience. Dining at The Anvil Inn is also praised with guests enjoying both their evening meals and the fantastic breakfast offerings.
Overall, The Anvil Inn is lauded for its clean and comfortable environment, friendly staff and excellent food, making it a highly recommended choice for travelers.
Staff
The Anvil Inn boasts exceptional reviews when it comes to its staff, characterized by their friendly, helpful and attentive nature. Whether it's the bar staff or those at the reception, guests repeatedly emphasize their pleasant interactions, noting that the team is not only welcoming but also efficient and keen to help. Specific mentions highlight individuals like Anna, praised for her exemplary service. The consistent theme of friendliness and warmth makes guests feel welcome from the moment of arrival. Cleanliness and great food further enhance the stay with the staff playing a crucial role in creating an inviting atmosphere. Overall, the staffing at The Anvil Inn significantly contributes to a positive and memorable visit with guests frequently remarking on their overall hospitality and attention to detail.
4 Star
The Anvil Inn consistently exceeded guest expectations, offering exceptional value for money. Guests frequently praised the cleanliness, food and staff, suggestive of a four-star experience. The inn served as a fantastic backdrop for weddings with staff going above and beyond to accommodate needs. Cleanliness and the quality of food and service received numerous accolades, reinforcing its reputation. Visitors found nothing to dislike about their stay, appreciating the overall experience and affirming the inn as a great value for money destination. One point to note was the inconsistency of staff adherence to covid measures, but this did not overshadow the overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Historic
The Anvil Inn stands out as a charming destination, deeply rooted in history. Guests describe it as a lovely 17th-century inn with an old-world building atmosphere that captures its original character. The inn’s period charm is evident in its picturesque thatched roof and the historic blacksmith shop now turned boutique accommodation. Many found the inn’s quirky and comfortable rooms to be replete with original features like low doorways and creaking floorboards, all thoughtfully updated to meet modern needs. The environment evokes a country pub atmosphere, portraying a stunning blend of old-world charm and contemporary comfort. With its unique flair and well-maintained historic features, The Anvil Inn provides an ideal and interesting stop for those appreciating quaint and character-rich locations.
No, The Anvil Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Anvil Inn.
No, The Anvil Inn doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Anvil Inn.