The Bull Inn

Great food and a stylish night's sleep at this gorgeous gastro pub with rooms in rural Dorset

Set in the sleepy village of Wimborne St Giles, The Bull Inn feels appealingly off-the-beaten track, and is as peaceful a spot as you could hope to find, with a wild flower meadow opposite its tree-lined garden. But whilst its location is rural, the atmosphere inside feels almost urban.

Though handsome and cream on the outside, with a terracotta pitched roof, it's the boutique interiors you'll remember: lashings of Farrow & Ball, elegant glass chandeliers and a beautiful mix of antique and shabby chic furniture. They're comfortable, too - owner Mark Thornton (a former City Trader) and his wife Roxy (owner of luxe interiors firm, India Jane) have nailed the magical alchemy of stylish but genuinely relaxed.

There are just 5 rooms, but they tick all the boxes: comfy beds dressed in crisp linens, Tassimo coffee machines, and shafts of sunlight dancing upon geometric wallpaper. Best of all, though, is the restaurant. Grab a leather Chesterfield, nurse a local ale, and take your time reading the imaginative menu. Staff couldn't be friendlier, and the British food (locally sourced and award-winning) is very good indeed.

Highs

• A picturesque setting close to the Cranborne Chase, and well placed for country pursuits, especially hiking, riding and golf
• Popular with the shooting and hunting set (there are 85 shoots in this area, within a 10-mile radius), and Canary Wharfites
• Our dinner was fantastic (tender lamb shoulder, and a creamy artichoke and aubergine risotto), as were the accompanying wines
• Beautiful details in the decor: we loved the tiny pots of lavender, little wicker baskets and soft wool throws
• Only 2 hours from London so makes a great weekend break

Lows

• Check-in hours are limited: 12-3pm or after 6pm only, so you'll need to plan your arrival
• No twin beds
• A small menu, though it changes daily, and some options are quite eclectic so may not be to your taste