Just a short stroll from the centre of Sherborne, with its stunning Abbey, two castles and abundance of indie shops, you’ll find The Eastbury Hotel and Spa. Once a private residence, the red-brick building is now an elegant boutique hotel, mixing classic Georgian and modern interiors, each room individually designed. Guests have exclusive use of the library and there’s also a games and snooker room.

The restaurant, that looks out onto the pretty walled garden, offers a seasonal menu – with vegan, coeliac and gluten free options – and uses local produce where possible and fresh herbs picked from their kitchen garden. Temporarily the restaurant is open only for breakfast for residents – but watch this space.

The hotel has five Victorian Garden Potting Shed Suites with private terraces, fire pits and dog-friendly policy, plus a Woodland Spa set amongst the trees in the garden with a hydrotherapy tub, sauna and full treatment list.

In addition, Eastbury Cottage is a dog-friendly, pretty 17th century cottage with everything you need to be self contained, plus inglenook fireplace, woodburner and three double ensuite bedrooms (which includes an outside bunk room for two kids, summer only), an alfresco dining terrace with barbecue, enclosed garden – and a hot tub.