The Best Hotels to Book Near the Tank Museum, Dorset

Inside this traditional stone cottage-style hotel, you’ll find stylish rooms with art deco accessories – choose one with a bright velvet sofa in the bay window for excellent countryside views. Also sporting great views is the restaurant, which serves up a variety of breakfasts from hearty full English to healthy granola, yoghurt and preserves. Later, indulge in a classic cream tea or fresh seafood. You’re 5mi (8km) from the Tank Museum – not a problem, with free parking – and right by Unesco World Heritage Site, Lulworth Cove.

Find your home-from-home in this traditional, dog-friendly countryside pub with roaring fires, cosy snug and events like quiz nights and live music. After a round of pool, take a seat in the dining area for British classics or something from the curry menu. Sunny? You’ll love the beer garden’s Crab Shack, serving crab sandwiches with house sauce. Rooms are rustic chic: original feature ceilings, wooden floorboards, bright flowers and Chesterfield armchairs. Here, you’re 4mi (6.4km) from the coast, in East Knighton.

Grab an armchair under overhead beams at this centuries-old coaching inn in picturesque Sydling St Nicholas. Tuck into cooked-to-order pub grub, featuring locally sourced ingredients and an ever-changing specials board. Pair with real ales or your choice of 35 world wines – and watch out for great foodie events like the gardenside Big Breakfast Barbecue. Your room is in the old coaching block: expect French beds or divans, plump pillows and cool accessories like vintage chests. Some rooms are dog-friendly.

Broadmayne-based Barton Cottage has a beautiful thatched roof and lovely gardens. Choose from two ensuite rooms that are plush and homely with beamed ceilings, colourful scatter cushions and framed photos littering the walls. In the Garden Room, French doors lead to a private pebbled courtyard. Dogs and kids are welcome – as long as they’ll get on with the house cats – and you’ll all enjoy the owner-suggested countryside walks. Fuel up on traditional or continental breakfast in the rustic cottage kitchen.

This small, charming guest house was built in 1881 – on land previously known as Beggar’s Knap, where Victorians apparently picnicked under trees. Now known as Mentone Lodge, you can expect to find the likes of wall tapestries, candelabras, garden sculptures and vintage furniture. Take breakfast in the fireside dining room and book the four-poster bedroom for the ultimate historic experience. But you won’t miss out on modern comforts: there’s still free wifi and parking available.

There’s more to this 18th-century mill than its fascinating history. The big garden is home to Shetland ponies, alpacas, hens and beehives, which will delight both kids and kids-at-heart. Honey and eggs from the garden feature in the hearty breakfasts – your room, too, comes with home comforts such as dressing gowns, tea and shortbread. Up the adventure factor and glamp under the stars by booking the restored shepherd’s hut with its heater, camp kitchen and picnic bench.

Opposite Moreton train station, you’ll find this recently restored, 1840s country pub with a shiny tiled bar, colourful matte walls and equine paintings. Country chic continues in the rooms: choose from the main building or a converted barn. The excellent menu – to be enjoyed in the beer garden on sunny days – features the likes of roast lamb rump and halloumi burger. Follow with a cheese board or white chocolate espresso martini. Mornings bring an extensive breakfast menu.

Foodies should book this inn run by the family who own across-the-road Brewery Farm – the menu uses their own produce as much as possible. Expect classics with exciting twists like espresso-rubbed steak, and breakfasts featuring Dorset sausage. Enjoy with a pint of local ale in the restaurant, Garden Room or lawn and terrace. Bright bedrooms come with king or super-king beds, luxury toiletries and local tea and coffee. Some are dog-friendly, and some have window seats perfect for reading.

The historic market town of Dorchester is home to this Georgian townhouse hotel. Decor is different in each room from vintage to more modern, rural chic. You’ll find period furnishings in the drawing room, four-poster bedrooms and a library that’s stacked with local literature. Head to the conservatory for a generous breakfast: all the favourites, plus haddock and kippers. They also serve afternoon tea – bubbly optional – and helpful staff will recommend nearby eateries and sites, while ensuring the tea and biscuits always flow.