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Blandford Forum is one of the best-preserved Georgian market towns in England, built almost entirely after a fire in 1731 on the River Stour in north Dorset — a genuinely unspoiled base for groups who want authentic Dorset countryside without coastal resort crowds.
2 Nights
Typical minimum booking requirement
£109 - £228
Per person for a 2-night weekend
Prices are approximate and vary based on season, group size, and specific property. Check individual listings for exact rates.
Top Hen Party Destination
Plan your hen weekend in Blandford Forum with practical local guidance and verified stays.
Groups who want a Blandford Forum base with local character, practical logistics and a weekend that suits the destination's natural strengths.
Groups expecting a radically different destination type or weekend style than what Blandford Forum naturally delivers.
Blandford Forum weekend with local attractions, accommodation base and plans shaped around the destination's authentic character.
Plan ahead — see when hen parties book most often in Blandford Forum
The Cranborne Chase and Stour Valley are pleasant for walking in spring; demand is modest and accommodation good value in April and May.
General summer countryside demand lifts Blandford through July and August; the Great Dorset Steam Fair (late August) creates a sharp spike in the final week of the month.
Cranborne Chase's woodland and downland are at their most atmospheric in October — a genuine draw for walkers — but demand overall is low and accommodation affordable.
Very quiet — north Dorset in winter is extremely affordable and genuinely peaceful; the dark-sky conditions of Cranborne Chase are best appreciated on clear winter nights.
Blandford's Georgian town centre — rebuilt coherently after the 1731 fire by the Bastard brothers (architects) — is one of the most architecturally complete small English market towns, and the Hall and Woodhouse Badger Brewery is right in the town centre for brewery tours.
Best for: Heritage lovers and countryside groups wanting genuine rural Dorset
Shaftesbury's Gold Hill (12 miles north — the Hovis advertisement hill), Kingston Lacy National Trust (12 miles east), the Cranborne Chase AONB dark-sky walking, and Hall and Woodhouse brewery tours in the town itself.
Weekend tone: Quiet, unspoiled, deeply rural
A car is non-negotiable for Blandford Forum — there is no rail connection and bus services are limited. Book a property with ample parking and plan self-catering to avoid long evening drives.
Planning edge: Cranborne Chase is a Dark Sky Discovery Site — plan a clear-night stargazing evening at the property if it has open grounds
The Great Dorset Steam Fair (late August/early September, Tarrant Hinton, 5 miles away) is one of England's largest agricultural shows and fills north Dorset accommodation very rapidly — avoid that weekend or book 6+ months ahead.
Peak season: Late August (Great Dorset Steam Fair nearby); July–August generally
Location Information
Blandford Forum is one of England's finest Georgian market towns — rebuilt almost entirely after a catastrophic fire in 1731 by local architects John and William Bastard, the result being a rare example of uniform Georgian townscape in north Dorset. The River Stour runs through the town, the Cranborne Chase AONB stretches across the hills to the north, and Hall and Woodhouse (Badger Brewery) is a working brewery in the town centre. For hen groups wanting authentic, unspoiled Dorset countryside, Blandford delivers a base that most visitors drive through without stopping.
Blandford suits groups who actively want genuine north Dorset countryside — there is no coastal influence here, and the atmosphere is entirely that of an English market town in working farmland. It works for heritage-focused, outdoorsy or simply peace-seeking groups who want a quiet base. It does NOT suit groups who need nightlife, a wide restaurant scene, or who don't want to drive everywhere — Bournemouth is 28 miles south and Salisbury 24 miles east, and both require a car.
There is no direct rail service to Blandford Forum. The nearest mainline stations are Gillingham in Dorset (12 miles north, South Western Railway, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes from London Waterloo) and Salisbury (24 miles east, 1 hour 30 minutes from London Waterloo). A car is essential for both reaching the town and for day trips to Shaftesbury, Kingston Lacy and the Cranborne Chase. The A350 is the main north-south road, connecting Blandford to Shaftesbury and Poole.
The Hall and Woodhouse brewery in the town centre offers tours — one of the better industrial heritage visits in rural Dorset. Shaftesbury (12 miles north) has Gold Hill, England's most photographed steep cobbled street, plus an Abbey museum. Kingston Lacy National Trust (12 miles east) is a major house and garden visit. Cranborne Chase AONB provides walking at the Iwerne Valley and Tollard Royal. The River Stour fishing and meadow walks are pleasant from the town park.
Properties in the Blandford town centre are convenient for the brewery, pubs and Market Place restaurants. Rural properties in the Stour Valley (north or south of town) or in the Cranborne Chase villages offer complete seclusion — Tarrant Monkton, Pimperne and Stourpaine are all within 5 miles and have characterful cottages. All properties in this area require a car for any activity beyond walking.
HEN PARTY ACTIVITIES & VENUES
Discover the best bars, restaurants, spas, and activities for hen parties in Blandford Forum.
Higher Ansty, Dorchester DT2 7PU, UK
Moonfleet Farm Campsite, Shepherds' Huts & Holiday Cottage is a popular campground with a 4.9 star rating. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Luccombe Farm, Milton Abbas, Blandford Forum DT11 0BE, UK
Luccombe Farm Holiday Cottages is a popular farmstay with a 4.8 star rating. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 2AF, UK
4.8/5 Plumber Manor offers elegant afternoon tea in a charming country house setting. Ideal for a relaxed, upscale hen party experience.
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Home Farm, Tarrant Gunville, Blandford Forum DT11 8JW, UK
Home Farm Cafe & Bar is a popular café with a 4.7 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Ansty, Dorchester DT2 7PN, UK
Brewery Farm Luxury Lodges & Camping is a popular farmstay with a 4.7 star rating. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Dewlish, Dorchester DT2 7ND, UK
The Oak at Dewlish is a popular restaurant with a 4.6 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Dairy House Farm, Blandford Forum DT11 0EY, UK
The Victorian Barn, Self-Catering Holidays with Pool and Hot Tubs, Dorset is a popular wedding venue with a 4.5 star rating. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
View on Google MapsThe Tasting Room, Crawthorne Farm, Crawthorne, Dorchester DT2 7NG, UK
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West St, Blandford Forum DT11 7AJ, UK
The Crown Hotel is a popular restaurant with a 4.4 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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hambro arms DT11, Milton Abbas, Blandford Forum DT11 0BP, UK
Hambro Arms is a popular restaurant with a 4.3 star rating. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Unnamed Road,Dorchester, Higher Ansty, Dorchester DT2 7PU, UK
Pleck Barn Hotel and Seasonal Restaurant is a popular bed and breakfast with a 4.3 star rating. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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6 East Borough, Wimborne Minster, Wimborne BH21 1PF, UK
The Olive Branch is a popular restaurant with a 4.1 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Mill St, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne BH21 3RH, UK
Riverside at the Coventry Arms is a popular restaurant with a 4.6 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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75 High St, Lytchett Matravers, Poole BH16 6BJ, UK
Chequers Inn is a popular restaurant with a 4.5 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Holt Ln, Holt, Wimborne BH21 7DJ, UK
The Old Inn is a popular restaurant with a 4.6 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
View on Google MapsFarnham, Blandford Forum DT11 8DE, UK
The Museum Inn is a popular restaurant with a 4.5 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Almer, Blandford Forum DT11 9EW, UK
The Worlds End, Almer is a popular restaurant with a 4.4 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Lower Ansty, Dorchester DT2 7PN, UK
The Fox Inn is a popular bar with a 4.3 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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Tarrant Keyneston, Blandford Forum DT11 9JG, UK
The True Lovers Knot is a popular restaurant with a 4.1 star rating with moderate prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
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10 West Borough, Wimborne Minster, Wimborne BH21 1NF, UK
The Man in the Wall - JD Wetherspoons is a popular restaurant with a 4.0 star rating with budget-friendly prices and is good for groups. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
View on Google MapsUnit 11 Mill Ln, Wimborne Minster, Precinct BH21 1LN, UK
Soul Serenity the Crystal Spa (holistic therapies, crystal shop and training centre) is a popular spa with a 5.0 star rating. Perfect for including in your hen party itinerary.
View on Google MapsCommon Questions
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