Knoll House Hotel

Knoll House Hotel A charming, family hotel situated in the beautiful Studland Bay, facing 3 miles of uninterrupted heat After all dogs deserve a holiday too.
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Knoll House was built around 1900 as a summer retreat by a member of the Bankes family of Kingston Lacy. In the 1920s, it was leased to the Duke of Hamilton who lost interest when the toll road was built by the ferry company. After a succession of summer lets it was rented in a dilapidated state, and soon purchased, by Francis ‘Chris’ and Marjorie ‘Poppy’ Smith, young hoteliers from Dorchester, wh

o opened it as a six bedroom hotel in 1931. The original building was extended to north and south with a view to offering holidays for families of all ages. Many of the new rooms had connecting bedrooms; a separate children’s dining room with its own kitchen catered for young children and their nannies. The hotel was an immediate success, being the first to offer such facilities. After the outbreak of WW2 rationing made it impossible to continue and the hotel was requisitioned for troops erecting beach defences. In 1943-44 the beach and hinterland saw large scale operations in preparation for D-Day. After the war materials were short and it was not until 1946 that repairs to Knoll House were finished and the hotel could reopen. Chris and Poppy Smith retired in 1959, having sold the hotel to Kenneth Ferguson, an engineer from Newcastle, and his wife Pauline. The Smiths had been besieged by several large groups, including Butlins, who wished to buy the hotel. Chris and Poppy Smith wanted Knoll House to continue as they had run it and so passed on the hotel to the Fergusons who had their own three young children. The family ran the hotel for nearly 50 years with the younger generations taking the reins in the 1970s. The hotel has changed hands again in 2017 but the family-friendly operation still continues today. The hotel attracts all ages of guest; many older generations first came as children themselves and now visit with their grandchildren. At Knoll House we not only invite families to come and stay but also your beloved furry friends! We look forward to welcoming you soon,

Knoll House Team

We’re looking forward to welcoming our weekend guests for a sunny September stay in stunning Dorset 🌤️ Wish you were her...
04/09/2026

We’re looking forward to welcoming our weekend guests for a sunny September stay in stunning Dorset 🌤️ Wish you were here? Visit our link in bio to book your autumn stay with us

02/09/2026

Sundown over Studland, as the September evenings start to draw in 🍂

We are excited to sponsor Harry Long! Good luck 🥊
01/09/2026

We are excited to sponsor Harry Long! Good luck 🥊

RUMBLE IN THE PURBECKS: HARRY LONG VS JOSE AMAREL 🥊
Purbeck Power Boxing’s Harry Long is ready to step through the ropes and take on Jose Amarel from Lions of Judah Boxing Academy in what promises to be another action-packed contest. 👊
Harry took this fight with no prior boxing experience and no training camp. He simply said he would fight and then got straight to work. Since making that decision, Harry has been putting in the hard rounds, pushing himself in the gym and preparing for the challenge of stepping through the ropes

He may be the underdog, but he’s not stepping into that ring to survive. He’s coming to WIN. 🔥🥊

Get your tickets at www.purbeckpowerboxing.co.uk

This fight is proudly SPONSORED BY Knoll House Hotel. A huge thank you for supporting local boxing!

Waking up on a Bank Holiday Monday and enjoying breakfast over a sea view, before of a day exploring Studland ✨ perfect!...
31/08/2026

Waking up on a Bank Holiday Monday and enjoying breakfast over a sea view, before of a day exploring Studland ✨ perfect!

The summer holidays are nearly over but with October Half Term around the corner, you can book your next family escape w...
28/08/2026

The summer holidays are nearly over but with October Half Term around the corner, you can book your next family escape with us ✨

October is a wonderful time to visit Knoll House. As the leaves begin to change colour, our gardens are abundant with red, orange and brown hues whilst the beaches become less busy and more peaceful as the cooler, shorter days set in. We have a programme of exciting activities for our younger guests such as trick or treating and a spooky Halloween disco with pumpkin carving - a list of events will be posted in reception so you can find out what’s happening during your stay.

Our October Half Term Fun package includes:

- Three night’s accommodation in an inland two-bedroom family suite

- Two-course dinner (starter and main) on each evening for two adults, to the value of £34 per adult

- Breakfast for all the family

- Complimentary activities for the children (posted in reception)

Visit our link in bio to find out more and to book your next stay with us ⬆️🔗

It’s International Dog Day 🐾 Did you know we are and always have been dog friendly at Knoll House?In 1931, Knoll House p...
26/08/2026

It’s International Dog Day 🐾 Did you know we are and always have been dog friendly at Knoll House?

In 1931, Knoll House passed from the Bankes Family into the hands of hoteliers Commander Christopher Smith, his wife Poppy and “hotel dog” Nicky, as seen in the archive of photos on our walls. Dogs formed an important part of the house and have become some of our most cherished residents.

Today, it’s easy to see that Knoll House is very much a home first and a hotel second. We’ve continued to offer a big welcome to four-legged guests. We believe it’s this history and approach that makes Knoll House one of the best dog-friendly hotels in Dorset. With the exception of the restaurant, children’s areas and wardroom, you can freely walk your dog around the hotel grounds and gardens. Not only that, we offer a doggy dining service where you can eat with your canine companion in our dedicated dog area. You can also take a dip in our heated outdoor pool and leave your dog in the shaded area by the outdoor bar, as long as they are kept on a lead.

So, if you’re planning a holiday with your canine companion, check out our blog with top suggestions for dog-friendly things to do or our Sandy Paws offer, via our link in bio ⬆️🔗 ❤️

Another amazing Oudoor Cinema Event with our friends from Purbeck Film Festival with the screening of Jaws! We are also ...
26/08/2026

Another amazing Oudoor Cinema Event with our friends from Purbeck Film Festival with the screening of Jaws! We are also hosting for the Film Festival in autumn so keep an eye out for details.

Cinema Under the Stars by Purbeck Film Festival at Knoll House Hote...

⭐️SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER ⭐️We have something exciting coming in the next few days which is only available to our Knol...
25/08/2026

⭐️SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER ⭐️

We have something exciting coming in the next few days which is only available to our Knoll House subscribers. Simply sign up to our newsletter: https://www.knollhouse.co.uk/newsletter and you’ll get first access to exclusive offers, events and promotions at the hotel which won’t be available anywhere else.

Good night from Knoll House ✨ here’s a beautiful dusk view across Studland shores with the Studland ferry. Night sky, se...
24/08/2026

Good night from Knoll House ✨ here’s a beautiful dusk view across Studland shores with the Studland ferry. Night sky, sea air and the gentle sounds of the water, bliss 🌙

Soak up the end of summer with our full range of Conker Distillery spirits and Conker Coffee Liqueur here at Knoll House...
22/08/2026

Soak up the end of summer with our full range of Conker Distillery spirits and Conker Coffee Liqueur here at Knoll House Hotel, all whilst enjoying the spectacular views over Studland Bay. Whether you’re a cocktail lover wanting the perfect sundowner, or you prefer a classic G&T - we’ve got you covered.

Address

Ferry Road
Studland
BH193AH

Telephone

+441929450450

Website

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