Plumber Manor defines ‘Dorset country hotels’ and was a family home when Thomas Hardy was living in nearby Sturminster Newton. Plumber was built by Charles Brune in the early 17th century and has remained a family home of the Prideaux-Brunes ever since. The hotel, the archetypal English country house hotel, is now run as a family triumvirate; Richard is ‘front of house’ and guaranteed to provide a laugh, his brother Brian is Head Chef and Richard’s wife Alison is simply everywhere. Rest assured, they know exactly how to make you feel at home with genuine hospitality.
The dining rooms and the bar all have open fires in the winter and the two family Labradors provide a warm welcome for all our guests.
There's an enormous old sofa in the gallery that is, guests claim enthusiastically, the most uncomfortable thing they've ever sat on, but it's so irresistibly vast and it's part of the family! It is, however, the only discomfort Plumber has to offer.
Richard Prideaux-Brune comments, 'Plumber Manor has been in my family since the 17th century and we have run it as a country house hotel for over thirty years. It is a comfortable Jacobean manor house built of local stone and situated in the heart of Thomas Hardy's ‘vale of little dairies. Plumber is very much a family home, set amidst beautiful gardens, and where we're always pleased to see you. We love it here and we hope you will too.'
Cocktails in Dorset
Cocktails are normally the preserve of trendy suburban hotels or fashionable cocktail bars. However, here at Plumber Manor we believe we could lay claim to the best cocktails in Dorset! Richard has been creating cocktails in his own inimitable style for decades and is now a true cocktails connoisseur. Order a Bloody Mary and watch him create a cocktail sensation with the zest of the real enthusiast and an extra special twist! These are Richard’s Bloody Mary ingredients and his Dry Martini ingredients. For those taking advantage of our January Special Break in Dorset, there’s even a complimentary Bloody Mary that will get you into the swing of things!’
Plumber Manor is recommended by:
Michelin, The Good Food Guide, The Good Hotel Guide, the Best Loved Hotels and Johansens guides and is a member of the Pride of Britain consortium.