FAQs

Bookings are made exclusively with us directly at info@dorsethouselyme.com. Direct booking enables us to maintain the intimacy and tailored experience of Dorset House.

We typically require a two-night minimum stay. One-night bookings occasionally become available — please contact us directly at info@dorsethouselyme.com.

For 2026, House Rooms (Fossil, Church View, Porthole) are £190 per room per night. Grand Rooms (Sea View, Lighthouse) are £240 per room per night. All rates include VAT and of course our breakfast and are based on double occupancy. We do not believe in dynamic pricing in principle, therefore we have a single rate year-round. 2027 rates will be posted in December, and any 2027 bookings made prior to December will use 2026 rates.

Yes — a £15 per night reduction applies for single occupancy in any room.

Please do. Let us know at the time of booking if you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or other occasion and we will work with you to make it memorable. A bottle of wine or fizz, a cake or treat of your choice, a private dinner, all can be arranged in advance — just ask. If you'd like to book the Full House (all 5 rooms) for your special occasion, please see our Events & Gatherings FAQ section.

Yes. We offer 2 and 3 night gift vouchers for either our Grand Rooms or House Rooms on our Gifting Page. Gift vouchers are at 2026 rates, and are redeemable for 1 year from the time of purchase subject to availability of your desired room. Email us directly at info@dorsethouselyme.com to redeem your gift voucher. If you have another type of gift in mind, please do get in touch.

We require 100% payment at the time of booking, which is fully refundable or transferrable to another available date until 14 days prior to your stay.

We accept most major credit and debit cards including American Express, as well as bank transfer.

We are a small, boutique property. Should your plans change more than 14 days prior to your scheduled arrival, your reservation is fully refundable, or it can be freely transferred to another available date subject to availability of your desired room. In the event of a late cancellation within 14 days prior to arrival we are unable to offer a refund.

Our cancellation policy applies as normal regardless of travel insurance. If you need documentation to support an insurance claim — booking confirmation, cancellation confirmation, or a letter on headed paper — we are happy to provide whatever is needed. Just get in touch.

Check-in is typically between 3pm and 7pm. Check-out is at 10:30am unless otherwise arranged. Please let us know your estimated arrival time the day before so we can be ready to greet you. Based on the rhythm of the house, we will offer flexibility when we are able. We can always store luggage.

We will always try to accommodate early arrivals or late departures when we are able. Please contact us in advance — we cannot guarantee it, but we will do our best.

No, there is no private car park at Dorset House. There is a wide pavement drop-off area at the front of the house for luggage. The nearest car park is Holmbush, approximately 300 metres along the road, or on-street parking can also be found nearby.

Yes. The nearest station is Axminster, approximately 12 minutes by road. A regular bus service connects Axminster to Lyme Regis. We recommend the following local taxi companies: Eco Cabs 01297 445444, Premier/MCabs 01297 442222. Charmingly, Lyme Regis does not have Ubers or other major car service apps, therefore it is always advisable to book taxi services in advance.

Yes. Complimentary luggage storage is available before check-in and after check-out.

In order to keep the House in the condition it deserves, we prefer to lightly refresh rooms daily in the winter and wetter months. In warmer, drier months, please let us know upon arrival your preferences for a daily refresh or if you prefer privacy. For stays of six nights or more, a full-room refresh will be performed mid-stay. To conserve water and energy, we do not refresh towels daily. Fresh linen is always available if you need it sooner — just ask.

Yes, WiFi is available throughout the house and is included in your stay.

No. Dorset House is entirely non-smoking indoors. We ask tha guests who smoke or vape do so outdoors away from areas wher other guests might be affected.

Signal is generally good in Lyme Regis except during high visitor periods including July, August, and bank holidays, though it can vary depending on your network provider. WiFi is available throughout the house.

Dorset House is in the town of Lyme Regis, but sits slightly above the town centre, which helps. Occassionally there is live music at a nearby pub on a Friday or Saturday, which quiets by 11pm. The house is generally quiet most evenings. The sea gulls wake up early!

Yes — the beach is approximately a 10-minute walk downhill through the Gardens or along the High Street to Marine Promenade. You can also reach the Town Mill artisan quarter, the Mary Anning statue, the Jane Austen Gardens, the River Lym path, and the South West Coast Path and all of the shops, restaurants, and happenings in Lyme Regis by foot. See our Explore page for more recommendations.

Dorset House has five guest rooms: three House Rooms (Fossil, Church View, Porthole) and two large Grand Rooms (Lighthouse, Sea View). All have modern en-suite bathrooms with underfloor heating and walk-in rain showers.

Sea View and Lighthouse both offer extensive views along the coast, including Golden Cap and, on a clear day, as far as Portland. Fossil has seaward views over the town. Church View looks onto St Michael & St George Catholic Church with a glimpse of the sea. Porthole is North-facing and does not have a sea view.

Yes. The superking beds in both Sea View and Lighthouse Grand Rooms can be reconfigured as two single beds on request. Please let us know your preferred bed configuration at the time of booking. Note that Lighthouse also has a sofa bed available.

Yes. The Lighthouse Suite has a sofa bed in its adjacent sitting room, suitable for a travelling companion. There is £30 setup for the sofa bed, and an additional guest is an additional £15 per night. Please note that Dorset House is an adults-only property — all guests must be 18 or over, except for full house bookings.

Yes. Wool and non-feather alternatives are available for guests with feather allergies. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Yes, hair dryers are provided in every room.

As a Grade II Listed Georgian building there is no lift. Our snug and breakfast room are on the ground floor and all 5 guest rooms are on the first floor of the house. We are not currently able to accommodate guests who require step-free access or wheelchairs. If you have specific mobility requirements, please contact us directly so that we may provide more information prior to booking.

Breakfast is typically served between 8am and 10am. Please arrange your breakfast time a day in advance. If you need breakfast earlier, please let us know the day before and we will do our best to accommodate your time. Please let us know of specific dietary allergies or restrictions for all guests in advance of arrival.

Yes. We take dietary requirements seriously and please do not apologize for yours. Our menu is naturally amenable to gluten-free and vegetarian diets, and we are well practised at cooking for a range of needs, including gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Please let us know of specific dietary allergies or restrictions for all guests in advance of arrival.

Yes. Two of our rooms — Church View (House Room) and Sea View (Grand Room) — welcome one well-behaved dog under 15kg. A one-time supplement of £30 applies. Canine companions staying with us receive our Pooch Package: a custom-made dog bed, water bowl, and paw balm. Please let us know if you will be brining your pooch at the time of booking. We ask all guests bringing a dog observe the following: Dogs must be kept on a lead in all indoor areas and public spaces of the house. Dogs are welcome in the snug and on the veranda, and, if settled, during breakfast service. Please take your dog with you when you go out. Dogs must not be left unattended in rooms. Guests are responsible for any damage or additional cleaning required as a result of their dog; any costs will be charged on departure. If a dog becomes disruptive or aggressive, we reserve the right to ask you to make other arrangements for your dog or to depart early, without refund. Lastly, please be considerate of other guests — not everyone shares your enthusiasm for dogs (but we do)!

We ask that dogs are not left unattended in rooms. If you are heading out and cannot take your dog, please let us know and we will do our best to help you find a suitable arrangement.

Dogs are welcome in the snug, veranda, and, if settled, during breakfast service.

No. We are only able to accommodate small dogs. Guide dogs and registered assistance dogs are always welcome.

Yes. Our snug has a fully licensed Honesty Bar stocked with local spirits, wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. Help yourself, make a note on the card, and settle up upon departure.

Yes. We can a bottle from one of our favorite sustainable English vineyards to be waiting, chilled, in your room upon arrival. Let us at the time of booking or in advance of your stay.

Yes, typically. Dorset House is typically an adults-only property. We welcome guests aged 18 and over. Exceptions may be made if all guests enquiring for particular dates have children, or when booking the Full House.

Yes. For Full House bookings — all 5 rooms — younger guests are welcome by arrangement. Note that our en suite bathrooms do not have bathtubs, and therefore may not be suitable for very small children. Please enquire directly to discuss your group's needs.

Yes. Dorset House can be booked exclusively as a Full House for groups of family, friends, or colleagues — all 5 rooms, the snug, and the dining room. We have hosted family gatherings, workshops, wedding receptions, and literary events. We can also tailor bespoke events and gatherings to your needs. Please enquire directly at info@dorsethouselyme.com for rates, options, and availability.

Yes, you can host your next celebration, private retreat, or intimate gathering enveloped in the relaxed seaside elegance of Dorset House. From custom-catered dinners celebrating high-provenance local ingredients to fully produced events with a dedicated planner, we love a gathering. We look forward to collaborating with you to bring your vision to life within our sustainable ethos and sensibility. Hosting a private event at Dorset House without booking the Full House is subject to availability, please enquire with us directly.

Yes. We occassionally offer group booking rates for partner organizations who share our values. Additionally, when booking all 5 rooms, Dorset House offers a private, intimite experience for up to twelve guests: five en-suite bedrooms, the snug, and the dining room. We can provide personalized catering for lunch or dinner, suggest local activities, and tailor the stay to your group. Please enquire for rates and availability.