Sanctuary

Dorset


A B&B for bibliophiles: the charming, chintzy, volume-filled bedrooms here sit inside a four-floor, 18-room bookshop. Ancient tomes that just beg to be perused are everywhere – they can delay you en route to (the excellent) breakfast, but handily there's a wonderfully relaxed vibe. And yes – that price is right.

It's ridiculously good value; rooms have private bathrooms, but they are not en suite.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dorset attractions

1. Lyme Regis Museum

0.04 MILES

In 1814 local teenager Mary Anning found the first full ichthyosaur skeleton near Lyme Regis, propelling the town on to the world stage. An incredibly…

2. Town Mill

0.08 MILES

An atmospheric, creaking, grinding, 14th-century working watermill. Cafes, art galleries, a jewellery workshop and microbrewery sit alongside.

3. Dinosaurland

0.12 MILES

This joyful, mini, indoor Jurassic Park overflows with fossilised remains; look out for belemnites, a plesiosaurus and an impressive locally found…

4. Cobb

0.44 MILES

First built in the 13th century, Lyme's iconic, curling sea defences have been strengthened and extended over the years, and so don't present the elegant…

5. Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

1.51 MILES

The centre has engaging displays about the Jurassic Coast and also runs between one and seven fossil-hunting walks a week (adult/child £8/4). They're…

6. Beer Quarry Caves

8.15 MILES

Beer's creamy chalk cliffs hint at the presence of a seam of high-quality masonry material called Beer stone. It's been used in countless famous buildings…

7. Forde Abbey

8.2 MILES

Built in the 12th century as a Cistercian monastery, Forde has been a private home since 1649. The building boasts magnificent plasterwork ceilings and…

8. Donkey Sanctuary

11.44 MILES

This irresistible attraction is home to around 400 donkeys, some rescued from mistreatment or neglect, others retired from working the beaches. Walkways…