Summer Lodge

Accommodation
The Torridon has rooms and suites that cater to their guests’ every need. If you’re travelling with family or want some more privacy, four self-contained lodges are on the property.

Room options
All rooms suit every mood, occasion and are a relaxing countryside retreat for its guests. They feature 200 thread count Belgian linen and provide technology, so you stay connected, such as a flatscreen tv and wi-fi.

Cosy Double rooms overlook the courtyard; Classic King rooms with serene views; Superior King/Twin with king-size bed and seating area overlooking the gardens, courtyard or village; Principal King with a roll-top bath and seating area overlooking the gardens and Dorset countryside.

Suite options
Each suite welcomes you with a warm and homely individually designed country house style. They feature 200 thread count Belgian linen and provide technology, so you stay connected, such as a flatscreen tv and wi-fi.

The Courtyard Suites offer accessible features for its guests, a separate seating area and a private walled courtyard garden.

The Master Bedroom Suite has a king-size four-poster bed, a warming fire, two glorious bathrooms, one with a walk-in shower, the other with a freestanding bathtub. There is also a cosy fireplace, and the large windows offer views over the garden and surrounding hills.

Self-contained accommodation
Ivy Cottage is a 400-year-old picturesque Dorset chalet, a prime example of English countryside design. There is one master bedroom and two master bathrooms, one with a freestanding bathtub, the other a walk-in shower. You have the luxury of having a private garden with an open-air hot tub where you can unwind after a long day of exploring. Inside, you’ll find a cosy open log fire that creates a homey atmosphere.

Bea’s Cottage offers guests a private retreat in the form of a magical four-bedroom home. You have all the privacy you need with the hotel's excellent service, hospitality, and amenities at your disposal. Guests have access to a private rockery, garden and terrace and have their own wood-panelled dining room.

Summer Lane Cottage is a 400-year-old thatched building with four rooms about 80 metres from the main house with a private entrance and an open garden space. Even if you’re staying here, you still experience all the benefits and service of the hotel.

We can book the rooms individually or together for a family or group of up to eleven people. There is a duplex suite, a cosy double room, a superior king/twin room and a superior family room available. Good to know is that pets are welcome in the cottage.

Restaurant
Experience from farm to fork dining with locally and seasonally sourced ingredients at the Restaurant. The Bar exudes a welcoming and warm atmosphere with an array of fine whiskies, cognacs, wines, spirits and expertly crafted cocktails.

Facilities
This countryside getaway focuses on the wellbeing of its guests with a heated pool, sauna and jacuzzi. If you’re looking for a workout, go to the studio gym or play a game of tennis. If you want to reconnect with yourself, find a private space in the gardens to do yoga or be mindful.

History
In 1798 the 2nd Earl of Ilchester built Summer Lodge as a dower house. In 1893, the 6th Earl added a second floor for which he commissioned his friend Thomas Hardy, a local author and architect, to draw up plans. The last Earl of Ilchester to live in Dorset modernised the house in 1932; afterwards, Margaret and Nigel Corbett bought the property.

They converted the property into a hotel and home within seven weeks. In 1988 they transformed the stables and coach house into bedrooms and added an all-weather tennis court and heated pool. In 1991 the hotel became a member of Relais and Chateaux. Red Carnation Hotels purchased Summer Lodge in 2003 and restored the property to its prime. In 2004, they added a Spa to complement the indoor pool, offering a range of wellness treatments.

Touring Guide
Summer Lodge is a superb place to stay and discover a range of attractions on your Private Tour of England. Go to Stourhead, known as the best landscape garden in the world or visit the beautiful 14th-century ruin of the romantic Old Wardour Castle. If you want something more adventurous, go sea fishing and try to catch mackerel or bass.