Yalbury Cottage has a friendly atmosphere and wonderful views of the Hardy Country. The cottage is just two miles from Dorchester in the hamlet of lower Bockhampton, within walking distance of Thomas Hardy’s birthplace and is in fact, just across the road from his former school and around the corner from his final resting place at Stinsford Church. Bockhampton is the inspiration for the village of Mellstock which sets the scene in one of his novels, Under the Greenwood Tree.

This is the perfect place to relax, whether you are a Thomas Hardy fan or not. Our lovely rooms and superb, freshly cooked breakfasts and award winning restaurant make the ideal location for anyone on the hunt for a quiet, tranquil place to spend a few days.

Our chefs believe in bringing cooking back to its purest form; choosing only the finest raw ingredients from the best suppliers in the county. Our lounge and restaurant are located in the oldest part of the cottage and is full of character. The lounge is the perfect place to peruse the menu and unwind after a day exploring, while the award winning restaurant offers a range of locally sourced produce. We can create personalised menus for guests with dietary requests and the menu is adapted daily so anyone staying at the cottage can enjoy a range of choice.

The Sunday Lunch menu is the most popular of all our menus. We offer a Farmers’ Market Sunday Lunch and it is an absolute must try. Or, why not stop in for afternoon tea at the cottage? Relax in our gardens during the summer or snuggle up in the lounge when the weather is colder and sample some of our famous tapas style cream tea.

Yalbury Cottage Hotel and Restaurant is a great choice for those wanting an intimate event venue, we cater for weddings, parties, wakes and corporate events – see our full packages on our website.

Christmas Dinner Menu
This menu is available from the 01st to 23rd December for parties of 8 persons and above. All dietary requirements must be advised prior to arrival, we are happy to create dishes to suit allergies and dietary requests. Any booking of eight persons and above is considered a group booking. A deposit of £10 per person is required to secure the reservation, which will be deducted off your bill on the day. Please note that final numbers and menu choices need to be confirmed one week prior to the event. Should any guests not be able to make it on the day please understand that we will apply full charges according to the final number.

Three Course Dinner £47.50
Two Course Dinner £39.50

Canapes
****
Amuse Bouche
Sage and onion Arancini, cranberry sauce V
****

Start
Duck liver parfait, sweet port jelly and toasted brioche GF
or
Portland crab salad on homemade crumpet GF
or
Coastal cheese and truffle ravioli, Jerusalem artichoke Espuma sauce V
****

Middle
Creedy carver duck breast, duck Croquette apple brandy sauce GF
or
Dukkah spiced venison loin, Fondant potato
Cauliflower and toasted hazelnut crumb
or
Fish of the moment, watercress pesto, bubble potato, watercress sauce GF
or
Aubergine, garlic and mushroom Kiev, black garlic Aioli, pine salt V
***

Cheese
Selection of Dorset Cheese with Dorset apple cobbler GF
and mixed seed crumble
****

Pre Dessert
Frozen Eggnog GF

End
Christmas pudding, Brandy cream
or
Mandarin and honey parfait GF
or
Chocolate “black forest” marquise
****
Petit Four
Homemade baileys and cream chocolate cup GF

GF = gluten free
V = vegetarian