Pretty Bridport is a classically English market town, with quirky boutiques, friendly pubs and plenty of teashops. Better still, it's just a couple of km from the stunning golden beaches of West Bay on the Jurassic Coast. Come here to rummage in antique stores, admire the Georgian architecture, browse vintage bookshops, dine out on the freshest of fish and - of course - walk that world-famous coastline.
Luckily for you, we've discovered Bridport's best-kept secret - a pair of delightful, centrally located boutique apartments. Owners Katie and Chris bought the building in 2016 and renovated it in serious style. A simple, elegant colour palette of greys and blues sets the scene; velvet sofas, a roll-top bath, Smeg appliances, shutters and antique books complete the picture. Both hideaways have a bedroom, bathroom and open-plan living/kitchen area, but with the excellent foodie options nearby, you won't really want to cook (although you'll leave laden down with local produce from the delis and market). Just make sure you book soon - these apartments won't stay a secret for long.
Highs
- Ideal for a romantic weekend away - and superb value
- Perfectly positioned in the centre of town, a stroll from shops, cafés and wonderful little restaurants. Plus there are festivals held here throughout the year celebrating everything from literature to hats
- Fantastic beds with Vi-Spring mattresses and great-quality linens, and beautiful bathrooms with mosaic-tiled floors
- Set above a gorgeous vintage bookshop; perfect for souvenirs
- Walking the stunning Jurassic coastline
Lows
- Weekend evenings can get noisy outside, market stalls set up early in the mornings and Bridport bustles during a festival; bring earplugs for a sound night's sleep
- 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 to get here and do day trips
- Not ideal for kids, and no dogs allowed
- Minimum 3 nights' stay
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, and the infamous Hat Festival in September. It gets very busy on market days (Saturdays and Wednesdays) and throughout the summer holidays.
Our top tips
Seek out Dorshi - a great little restaurant hidden down a tiny, easy-to-miss lane (more of a footpath), 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.
- 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?!), refer to Katie's regularly updated list of where to dine. We had a brilliant evening in Dorshi, an Asian-inspired bar and restaurant just around the corner, with innovative cocktails and noodles.
For breakfast we were torn between heading to the beach or just down the road. In the end, our delicate heads dictated somewhere close, so we strolled to the Soulshine Café for delicious detox food - think smoothies, Aussie-inspired brekkies and salads. It has a little garden for sunny days.
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.
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). For a list of airlines serving these airports, click on the links below.
From the Airport
Take a taxi or hire a car. There's a long-stay car park 5 minutes' walk away.
By Train:
The nearest train stations are Crewkerne, Dorchester and Axminster. Direct trains from London take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, then take a taxi to Bridport (20-30 minutes).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to the UK and getting around
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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