Some 27 years ago my wife and I took our two very small children to Knoll House Hotel, a perfectly positioned family and dog-friendly hotel on Studland Bay on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. I was delighted, therefore, to be asked back with my wife and Harry as a guest of the hotel to spend a few days rediscovering the delights of this unspoilt corner of English coastline.
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| Knoll House Hotel, Studland Bay, Dorset |
Knoll House was opened in 1931 and still has the flavour of a thirties seaside hotel. Period furnishings, painting and photographs underline the history of the place - which was a favourite of Enid Blyton's. The dog and family-friendly nature of the hotel is unchanged since our first visit. The staff are welcoming, warm and helpful, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. With a good restaurant and bistro, play facilities for the young and a spa for the slightly older guests, there is something for everyone.
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| Harry on the beach below the hotel, Old Harry (no relation) is in the background |
We enjoyed a champagne afternoon tea which included not only a glass of bubbly, but sandwiches, scones and excellent cakes - the best of a very English tea. Our comfortable room had views across Studland bay towards the Isle of Wight and Old Harry, the chalk cliffs and rocky formations that mark the entrance to Studland Bay and Poole Harbour for ships approaching from the English Channel. At breakfast we saw deer on the lawn in front of the hotel - roe and sika deer live in the surrounding heathland.
You can walk straight from the hotel either onto surrounding heathland or down to the sandy beach. The beaches stretch northwards past National Trust land to Shell Beach opposite exclusive Sandbanks or you can head south and after twenty minutes or so be climbing up onto downland cliffs towards Old Harry and the Coastal Path.
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| Being able to relax with a dog while on holiday is essential and Knoll House enabled us to do this |
Views across to The Needles on the Isle of Wight and inland over environmentally invaluable Dorset heathland and cliffs make the Isle of Purbeck a fascinating destination for all ages. Not only is there glorious countryside and beaches, but beautiful towns, villages, pubs and historic sites, all within a walk or short drive. Knoll House Hotel commands a central position and offers comfortable, homely accommodation for all ages and a fine welcome and good food and drink throughout the day.
We loved our stay and Harry was made especially welcome - not always the case even with hotels advertised as dog-friendly. We're hoping to plan a return visit with both children and dog at a future date.
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We were guests of Knoll House Hotel, bearing some of the costs ourselves. All views expressed here are mine alone.
