Reviews of The Casterbridge 4 stars
49 High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1HU, United Kingdom
#16 of 21 B&Bs and Inns in Dorchester
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 249 B&B reviews
8.4Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
9.2
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Comfort
9.2
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Location
9.3
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Facilities
8.5
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Staff
9.3
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Value for money
8.5
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Free WiFi
9.5
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Reviewed: 15 May 2025
Guy
United Kingdom1 review9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
Very nice breakfast, cooked to order.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 12 May 2025
Shevaun
United Kingdom1 review8.0“A welcoming and original hotel”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
My old Nokia phone had a very intermittent signal whilst in the hotel
The Casterbridge Hotel was welcoming and original. I was looked after well.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 6 May 2025
Catherine
United Kingdom1 review8.0“Comfortable room and bed, friendly staff, good facilities and nice location.”- • With a pet
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
We would have prefered to settle in and rest in our room first, then to talk to the owner about places to go in the area, as we were very tired after the journey.
Lovely room, as we were upgraded to a superior double. The breakfast was tasty and the staff friendly and helpful. The location was perfect.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: 11 April 2025
George
United Kingdom23 reviews9.0“Great base for visiting Hardy's Wessex.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Garden View
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
A very comfortable stay. Booking in was rather a long process, particularly after a long journey.. Staff welcoming and friendly. Very clean.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 10 April 2025
Ann
United Kingdom10 reviews8.0“Welcoming warm and kindly hotel.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Not lacking anything.
A lot of thought had gone into making the visitor feel welcome. We appreciated the long and helpful email telling us clearly where to park and suggestions as to where to eat etc. generously provided comfortable lounge where you could enjoy a take away or a glass of wine. The breakfast was delicious and cooked to order
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 1 April 2025
George
United Kingdom7 reviews8.0“Relaxing and comfortable with very welcoming hosts.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
Very comfortable room. The bed was so comfortable and spacious. Tony and Noorani were welcoming and helpful going more than the extra mile to make us feel comfortable.
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 2 December 2024
Margaret
United Kingdom10 reviews9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Breakfast was not included but was excellent when we chose to have it. Bed and room overall very comfortable. Staff very friendly, informative and helpful.
Stayed in November 2024
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Reviewed: 18 October 2024
Roger
United Kingdom38 reviews4 helpful votes7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Access to hotel out of hours overly complicated. Difficult to see numbers to gain access in darkness.Breakfast served from 08.45 is rather late although in fairness owner did offer to serve us at 08.15.
Location good and small hotel with character. Friendly owner.
Stayed in October 2024
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Reviewed: 9 October 2024
Maureen
Canada30 reviews5 helpful votes9.0“We would recommend The Casterbridge for its charm, high quality breakfast and warm welcome”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Not very warm in the evenings in late September
Staff, furnishing and attention to detail in an historic house, provision of guest lounge, lots of hot water and superb breakfast.
Stayed in September 2024
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Reviewed: 5 October 2024
Michael
United Kingdom66 reviews2 helpful votes7.0“A good place to stay for exploring Dorchester and surrounding region”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 4 nights
An earlier breakfast time
Warm comfortable bedroom with good shower
Stayed in October 2024
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Reviewed: 7 September 2024
Jean
United Kingdom1 review8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
The staff were very welcoming and friendly and breakfast was good too
Stayed in September 2024
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Reviewed: 20 August 2024
Pauline
United Kingdom10 reviews9.0“Beautiful quaint establishment”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
We booked standard rooms, but perhaps if we had booked Superior they may have been larger
The Owner and Staff were helpful, informative, kind and friendly. Breakfast was great.
Stayed in August 2024
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Reviewed: 10 August 2024
Alison
United Kingdom18 reviews2 helpful votes8.0“Ok but they should be more honest about the lack of parking”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room with City View
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Parking only 3 spaces which were in use also our room was at the top of the hotel so stairs were hard work
Comfortable and clean
Stayed in July 2024
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Reviewed: 26 July 2024
Shepherd
United Kingdom1 review1 helpful vote8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Loved what I saw and the lady in charge was charming. I'd not been feeling well so missed breakfast and spending time in the quirky downstairs areas day before...was given a lovely breakfast/picnic to go when we checked out. Very thoughtful. Would go again
Stayed in May 2024
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Reviewed: 15 July 2024
Colin
United Kingdom35 reviews4 helpful votes9.0“Good position, good service would definitely stay here again.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
The only thing we would have done differently was to have chosen a larger room, it was as it said in the literature, ( cosy). One other thing to mention is the drain in the shower cubicle is not draining away the water fast enough, so it does need looking into.
The staff were very friendly and informative of the town and the surrounding areas. Breakfast was very good, we chose to eat in the conservatory and view the well stocked garden.
Stayed in July 2024
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Reviewed: 12 July 2024
Andrew
United States1 review9.0“Nice property, exceptionally well maintained and clean. Staff and owner were very friendly”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Parking can be a problem, only 3 spaces available for hotel guests on first come basis. Rooms next to the road can be noisy.
Lovely accommodation and friendly staff
Stayed in June 2024
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Reviewed: 6 July 2024
Nadia
Jersey35 reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Had a lovely 3 night stay”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Couldn't fault anything and in a very good location would recommend no parking at property but plenty 2 mins away at very reasonable price central to museums and shops and restaurants
Stayed in July 2024
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Reviewed: 26 June 2024
Robert
United Kingdom18 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 3 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Access could be better
Room was exceptional with 4 poster bed. Breakfast excellent
Stayed in June 2024
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Reviewed: 24 June 2024
Goofygeorge
Switzerland58 reviews1 helpful vote7.0“Conveniently located with comfortable rooms”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
Conveniently located with comfortable rooms. Well maintained period hotel
Stayed in June 2024
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Reviewed: 12 June 2024
Ariel
Israel24 reviews6 helpful votes9.0“Delightful”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double Room with Bath
- • Stayed 4 nights
The water pressure in the bathroom could have been better.
The Casterbridge is an Old World hotel, with charm and atmosphere. It is located very conveniently on the main road of Dorchester. There are several excellent eating places very near by, as well as shops of different types. The property has three parking places in a car park two streets away. We were welcomed by Noorani, who is a warm and effusive hostess. She made us feel at home and gave us excellent advice and recommendations on places to visit and dine. The room was large and comfortable, with ample storage space, a spacious bathroom and a luxurious bed (we stayed in the four-poster bedroom).
Stayed in June 2024
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Reviewed: 2 June 2024
Green
United Kingdom8 reviews8.0“Had a great 2 night stay and to top it all off we were driven by the host to the Hardy cottage!”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Can't think of anything really
Friendly warm staff
Stayed in May 2024
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Reviewed: 16 May 2024
Stephen
United Kingdom130 reviews2 helpful votes9.0“Superbly located, friendly welcoming host and fabulous breakfast, makes this a must to visit if in around Dorchester.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Deluxe Double Room with Bath
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing … it was excellent, fully recommend.
The welcome was exceptional, my room was very clean and comfortable… it’s centrally located for town and all major roads..
Stayed in May 2024
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Reviewed: 29 April 2024
Bryden
United Kingdom3 reviews1 helpful vote9.0“Very nice hotel with a very friendly and professional host.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Deluxe Double or Twin Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
We had a King Room and it was very spacious, comfortable and clean. Great bed, and we slept very well. The location is very convenient both to the town itself and for exploring the region. The free parking was much appreciated. And Noorani's friendliness and advice on local restaurants and attractions made a huge difference to the enjoyment of our stay. Highly recommended!
Stayed in April 2024
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Reviewed: 5 April 2024
John
United Kingdom9 reviews8.0“Excellent first stay in Dorchester, I may come again!”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Standard Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
Before I got there I got an email advising about a self check in system, which seemed to suggest that when I got there I wouldn't meet a person, but I would have to find my own way to my room. It said I would have to pick up my key from a key safe. Which actually didn't apply, because when I got there there was no key safe. I was very glad when my host appeared and welcomed me. Please don't send this email to your guests any more, as it is very off putting. The reason for paying the money for a 4 star hotel is that you are able to turn up when you like and be welcomed in to the hotel by a real person.
The decor was absolutely lovely, especially the breakfast room. The hotel had real character, A nice communal library downstairs where you could relax. The host (I've forgotten her name) was welcoming and friendly and keen to advise about what I should do during my stay, and where I could go to eat. As I was travelling alone this was a real bonus.
Stayed in April 2024
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