The Casterbridge

The Casterbridge Located centrally in Dorchester. We are open throughout the year with the exception of Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Children welcome.

Our Georgian residence and concealed courtyard annexe combine to provide a comfortable and relaxed haven behind the bustling street scene of this pleasant and historic county town. Located centrally in Dorchester we are close to many restaurants and cafés and convenient for visitors to the council offices, hospital etc. Although the Casterbridge has been caring for guests since the 1930's it was n

ot until 1981 when the third generation of the Turner family undertook an extensive modernisation programme that it became recognised in the Good Hotel Guide, quickly followed by WHICH Hotel Guide, Michelin, Lonely planet, Frommer, Berlitz, Charming Small Hotels and others. Now, having celebrated its Silver Anniversary in June 2006, it is confidently reaching out into the future under the capable hands of Melvin and Monica Curtis, who with thirty years experience in the hospitality industry are confident of maintaining and improving the standards at The Casterbridge. Regret no dogs except guide-dogs. A generous breakfast can be taken in the dining room or conservatory, choosing from a selection of healthy fresh fruits, yogurts, porridge, mixed grill and all the traditional favourites. Alternatively, home made marmalade, croissants, muffins and assorted juices can afford a leisurely start from the privacy of your room. Vegetarian options are available and with a little notice most dietary requests can be met. The comfortable drawing room provides seclusion and there is a wealth of local literature in our residents' bar/library which may be studied over a quiet drink. Our staff are available throughout the day to ensure a plentiful supply of freshly brewed tea or coffe and biscuits together with any other local information that you may need. Information on nearbly restaurants, pubs and takeaways can be found with a selection of menus in our bar and we are happy to make reservations on your behalf. Free wireless broadband is available in our public rooms and some bedrooms. Please specify at the time of reservation if it is important that you are allocated one of these rooms. Meetings can be arranged for a maximum of 12 persons, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Sunset in Dorchester town
09/06/2021

Sunset in Dorchester town

09/06/2021

Taken in period Victorian
09/06/2021

Taken in period Victorian

Taekn in Period Victorian (1837 - 1901)

If you look closely you can see the Stag on the right had side,which many of you would remember as the White Heart Pub

A general view looking down High East Street at the junction with Icen Way. At the top of the hill the clock tower of the Corn Exchange can be seen, as well as the tower of St. Peter's Church and the spire of All Saint's Church. There is an advert for R.B. Brown 'Manufacturer of marquees, tents, rick-clothes & india-rubber and waterproof goods'. The Kelly's Directory for 1895 lists Robert Bullen Brown as a Tent and Marquee maker with shops at 52 High East Street and 8 High West Street, Dorchester
You're over 30 and from Dorchester when......

Who remembers.........
09/06/2021

Who remembers.........

Who Remembers The Dolphin.....

Please feel free to share any pictures or stories you may have

The Raddle hasn’t always been a pub. Prior to this it was a private residence being converted to a pub in 1850 and named The Dolphin. In the later part of the 20th century it was renamed several times to the Gun Room and then the Country Gentleman until eventually being named The Blue Raddle, as it is today, in the early 1990s. The name The Blue Raddle makes reference to ‘raddling’. In its basic form ‘raddle’, a coloured slop, is applied to the ‘tup’s’ brisket. The tup being a ram amongst ewes! In his efforts to tup or mate with a ewe raddle is left as evidence, thus assisting the shepherd in the management of his flock through to lambing.

The term raddle is particularly relevant to Dorchester, the birthplace of Thomas Hardy the world renowned novelist. He depicted ‘The Raddle Man’ in his controversial novel The Return of The Native published in 1878. Whilst a handful of pubs elsewhere in the UK include raddle in their name The Blue Raddle as a pub name is unique to Dorchester.

Dorchester is an attractive market town with most of its interesting buildings dating from the 18th century, Dorchester ...
09/06/2021

Dorchester is an attractive market town with most of its interesting buildings dating from the 18th century, Dorchester is quite conscious of its connections with novelist Thomas Hardy. Hardy attended school in Dorchester, and later settled in the town, living in the house he had built at Max Gate.
Dorchester has an extensive range of things to do with a selection of places to eat and drink, adventures and activities, plan your stay and visit to Dorchester.

Welcome back everyone, we are now fully open and ready to show you a relaxing yet vibrant time during your stay here wit...
09/06/2021

Welcome back everyone, we are now fully open and ready to show you a relaxing yet vibrant time during your stay here with us.



Check out our web page for more......
https://thecasterbridge.co.uk/home

St George's School, Fordington, September 1963Who can you spot.......
21/02/2019

St George's School, Fordington, September 1963
Who can you spot.......

Im sure these will bring back some memories of the Dorchester schoolsWho do you recognise...........
21/02/2019

Im sure these will bring back some memories of the Dorchester schools
Who do you recognise...........

D.S.M. School was from 1961 to 1965.Who do you recognise.............
21/02/2019

D.S.M. School was from 1961 to 1965.
Who do you recognise.............

he Lott and Walne foundry in Dorchester dates from the early 19th century. Amongst other things the foundry produced muc...
21/02/2019

he Lott and Walne foundry in Dorchester dates from the early 19th century. Amongst other things the foundry produced much of the ironwork (drain covers etc) in the town and a few still carry this name. Lott & Walne were described as engineers, ironfounders and agricultural implement manufacturers. They traded at least over the period 1899-1955. Among the things they made were village water pumps.

Im sure many of you local Dorch folk have memories spent here.......
21/02/2019

Im sure many of you local Dorch folk have memories spent here.......

Address

49 High East Street
Dorchester
DT11HU

Telephone

+441305264043

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Our Story

Our Georgian residence and concealed courtyard combine to provide a comfortable and relaxed haven behind the bustling street scene of this pleasant and historic county town. Located centrally in Dorchester we are close to many restaurants and cafés and convenient for visitors to the council offices, hospital etc. Although the Casterbridge has been caring for guests since the 1930's it was not until 1981 when the third generation of the Turner family undertook an extensive modernisation programme that it became recognised in the Good Hotel Guide, quickly followed by WHICH Hotel Guide, Michelin, Lonely planet, Frommer, Berlitz, Charming Small Hotels and others. Now, having celebrated its Silver Anniversary in June 2006, it is confidently reaching out into the future under the capable hands of Melvin and Monica Curtis, who with thirty years experience in the hospitality industry are confident of maintaining and improving the standards at The Casterbridge. We are open throughout the year with the exception of Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Children welcome. Regret no dogs except guide-dogs. A generous breakfast can be taken in the dining room or conservatory, choosing from a selection of healthy fresh fruits, yogurts, porridge, mixed grill and all the traditional favourites. Alternatively, home made marmalade, croissants, muffins and assorted juices can afford a leisurely start from the privacy of your room. Vegetarian options are available and with a little notice most dietary requests can be met. The comfortable drawing room provides seclusion and there is a wealth of local literature in our residents' bar/library which may be studied over a quiet drink. Our staff are available throughout the day to ensure a plentiful supply of freshly brewed tea or coffe and biscuits together with any other local information that you may need. Information on nearbly restaurants, pubs and takeaways can be found with a selection of menus in our bar and we are happy to make reservations on your behalf. Free wireless broadband is available in our public rooms and some bedrooms. Please specify at the time of reservation if it is important that you are allocated one of these rooms. Meetings can be arranged for a maximum of 12 persons, please contact us to discuss your requirements.