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The Anvil Inn

3.5 star property
Travelers enjoy a home-away-from-home at this country inn, starting with breakfast and followed by garden relaxation or bar socializing.

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Photo gallery for The Anvil Inn

Exterior - The Anvil Inn (Blandford Forum)
Exterior - The Anvil Inn (Blandford Forum)
Bar (on property) - The Anvil Inn (Blandford Forum)
Bar (on property) - The Anvil Inn (Blandford Forum)
Double Room, Ensuite (Large Double) | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets - The Anvil Inn (Blandford Forum)
The Anvil Inn sits conveniently near the village, offering a practical retreat for visitors. Guests enjoy daily breakfast, spend time in the garden, and gather at the bar. The property provides WiFi throughout and maintains a completely smoke-free environment.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for Double Room

Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(8 reviews)
  • 17 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Twin Room

Twin Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 17 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Single Room

Single Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 11 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Double Room, Ensuite (Large Double)

Double Room, Ensuite (Large Double) | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room, Ensuite (Large Double)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Economy Double Room, Ensuite

Economy Double Room, Ensuite | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Economy Double Room, Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Blandford Forum is home to The Anvil Inn. Shillingstone Railway Project and White Mill are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Blandford Leisure Centre and Larmer Tree Gardens. Skirmish Dorset and Sturminster Newton Leisure Centre are also worth visiting. Visit our Blandford Forum travel guide
View more Inns in Blandford Forum
Map
Salisbury Road, Pimperne, Blandford Forum, England, DT11 8UQ

What's nearby

  • Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs
    Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs
    1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Poole Harbour
    Poole Harbour
    35 min drive - 19.2 miles
  • New Forest National Park
    New Forest National Park
    47 min drive - 25.7 miles
  • Bournemouth Beach
    Bournemouth Beach
    48 min drive - 23.8 miles
  • Durdle Door
    Durdle Door
    54 min drive - 27.1 miles

Getting around

  • Wareham Station
    24 min drive
  • Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.)
    29 min drive

Restaurants

  • The Burger Box Blandford
    3 min drive
  • Reeve the Baker
    4 min drive
  • The True Lovers Knot
    7 min drive
  • The Cricketers
    9 min drive
  • La Vita
    4 min drive

Similar properties

Exterior
The Talbot
Blandford Forum
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, 226 reviews
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free breakfast available
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Garden

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Communal living room
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties

Frequently asked questions

Is The Anvil Inn pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Anvil Inn?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Anvil Inn?

Check-out is at 10:30 AM.

Where is The Anvil Inn located?

Situated in Blandford Forum, this inn is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs and within 3 mi (5 km) of Royal Signals Museum and Ashley Wood Golf Club. Blandford Forum Town Museum and Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

The Anvil Inn Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

9.4

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

9.4

Staff & service

9.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 78 out of 125 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 39 out of 125 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 125 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 125 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 125 reviews

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice place to stay, adequate parking, staff very friendly and helpful, food is very nice with a good choice.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Bridget

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Nice old inn, but in need of a bit of TLC. However understand their situation in this current economic climate. Very friendly staff & local clientele. Reasonable food.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love this place! The staff is so friendly and both the beer and the food are great! The atmosphere is unique due to the age of the building and I appreciate its quirkiness. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nick

Our room was comfortable, clean and cosy. The Staff couldn’t do enough to make our stay a pleasant experience. Food was great and varied. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

ANDREW

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My stay has been very positive. Check‑in was friendly, welcoming, and informative, which set a great tone from the start. My room is cosy, clean, and comfortable, and I’ve had a peaceful night’s sleep. The Wi‑Fi works well, and the free parking is really convenient. The location is good too, making everything easy and stress‑free. Overall, I’m very happy with my experience.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great find, in a great location to explore the local area, staff, room / breakfast very good. Only thing to improve is the bar pricing, thought £6.70 a little excessive for a pint of local lager.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Abi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely stay at a great place. Excellent staff.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great pub, excellent food
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice and clean, comfortable with friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Stephen

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great value out of season.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sadie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely 17th century Hotel/pub

Very clean 17th Century Hotel. Staff very welcoming
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Joy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Pleasant homely pub

Lovely old pub which was a good stop over for the night. Breakfast nice and hot with limited selection but filling. Friendly welcome at check in.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Stephen

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent out of season value
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stuart

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice old coaching in less than 2 miles away from GDSF.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Geoffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay at an excellent Inn

Great people and a perfect room. Good location for visiting many places in Dorset. The inn is an old thatched building with a decent beer garden and covered outdoor eating. The food is very good pub fayre and there are interesting specials. On Friday and Saturday delicious pizzas are also served, cooked in the outdoor wood fired pizza oven Breakfast is included with the room and there are a good variety of choices with quality ingredients. A great find that we will revisit if ever on holiday in the area again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Me and my partner stayed here over the weekend. We absolutely loved the stay, so clean and comfortable. Shower was a bonus! So powerful. Unfortunately my partner was taken into hospital during our last night staying there. But the very kind bartender/floor manager? Accommodated to our needs. So kind and thoughtful. He brought our breakfast up to our rooms. I would highly recommend staying here ☺️ Breakfast was lovely too!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

A need for the owner to spend a night in the room

The room was slightly on the small side , the bed being a standard double it would have been difficult to have put a bigger bed in. The bathroom again was a bit cramped, the loo holder was broken and the doors were out of line and provided no privacy. There appeared to be no soundproofing as it was quite evident that the adjacent rooms occupants could be clearly heard. The Monday morning breakfast was cooked badly, however the staff were very pleasant and helpful
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

We loved it here

What a little gem The Anvil Inn turned out to be! It's a beautiful old thatched building, and as you would expect with an old building, the stairs could prove a little steep for some peoole but we didn't have any trouble bounding up them; there is one spot where the door to the guest floor is a little low, but it's been thoughtfully padded, so no banged noggins here. We stayed in Room No.5 which was really cosy and had a little en-suite with a decent shower and very fluffy towels. Tea and Coffee making facilities were provided, a decent hairdryer and a TV, so everything that we needed. The room was absolutely spotless! We stayed two nights as visiting family and friends in Dorset and we had them visit both nights for dinner in the pub. The food we had was really good, very tasty and cooked to perfection... And very reasonably priced. Now that we have found (and stayed at) The Anvil Inn, it'll be our place of choice whenever we're visiting.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Pleasant Stay whilst on Business

Small but lovely room with everything needed for a one night stay. It felt as though it had been recently refurbished and the cleaning was to a high standard. Check in was good and I was shown to my room although I did have to wait a short while as there is no front desk. The menu was impressive and my evening meal was very good. On the downside, it was quite noisy with the quiz night in the pub during the evening but this did end at 10pm to my relief. The breakfast was average and service was poor. The rain shower was non existent and the attachment was very slow and squealed whilst in use which made me conscious of disturbing other guests due to the lack of soundproofing as the building is very old.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

feni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely place to stop for the night.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

A

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Anvil In Stay

loverly quiet pub to stay at food was was good as well
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Finley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

5* could not fault!

Honestly can not fault this place. Absolutely beautiful inside and out. Staff were lovely and very friendly. Food was great. Room was clean and cosy. Nice quiet pub. Great value for money and definitely got our money's worth. Thanks for a great couple of days!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022
Verified

6/10 Okay

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stay here but eat out

Hotel was fine given Covid restrictions. Room was basic but clean. The bathroom was clean and well supplied but the extractor fan seemed not to work. I would recommend the hotel but the food in the restaurant was relatively expensive and not up to much
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

C

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great

Clean, relaxed, great hosts
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022