Visit Poundbury

EXPLORE

With its iconic evolution, beautiful architecture, vast array of eateries and independent shops, Poundbury has something for everyone.

As an urban extension to Dorset’s county town of Dorchester, Poundbury is now home to more than 4,850 people and 250 businesses, including shops, cafés, a garden centre and an art gallery.

Visitors to Poundbury can use free parking, to allow you to stay for an hour, a day or a weekend. The best way to discover Poundbury is on foot; head through the quirky streets and squares and you will find an exceptional range of offerings. The retail businesses range from award-winning clothes shops and traditional children’s toys, to arts and crafts, lifestyle and gift shops.

If your visit is part of a longer journey or if you are visiting with a family, Poundbury boasts three parks, with the biggest, The Great Field providing one of the areas largest and most exciting play areas.

Further afield, the historic Maiden Castle is on the doorstep and Dorchester is walkable or accessible by a bus or car in just a few minutes drive.

EAT

Poundbury has a wealth of eateries to choose from. Amidst the winding roads, squares and green spaces of Poundbury you can find cafés and independent eateries, featuring locally-sourced Dorset produce. There are now more than a dozen places to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner, including cafés, coffee houses and two public houses. The bustling annual Dorset Food & Arts Festival is held on the first Saturday in August each year. The central hub, Queen Mother Square is also home to a monthly farmers’ market.

Visitors to Poundbury also enjoy the independent, high-quality food shops and delis. You can visit the award-winning Brace of Butchers and deli which is stocked full of meats, cheeses and fresh vegetables, the adjacent Naked Brace (promoting packaging free shopping), choose from a selection of quality wines at The Dorset Wine Company or head to Olives Et Al to sample flavours from around the world. Queen Mother Square also houses Waitrose for your everyday shopping needs.

STAY

You can take stay in the heart of Poundbury at the iconic Duchess of Cornwall Inn, overlooking Queen Mother Square and the statue of The Queen Mother. There are three floors of stunning bedrooms representing themes of Georgian England. From these rooms you can enjoy a panoramic view of Poundbury, with the historic Maiden Castle in the distance. The ground floor of the Duchess of Cornwall Inn boasts a pantry and bar for relaxed dining while the Dining Room – split across the mezzanine and the second floor – focuses on classically simple British Food.

RELAX

There is a wealth of beauty salons and services, which promise to make your visit to Poundbury a relaxing experience. As well as a range of services there is also a pilates studio, a nearby gym and swimming pool and lots of outdoor space for walking and enjoyment with stunning views of the nearby countryside. In November 2019 a luxury spa opened at the Royal Pavilion in Queen Mother Square. Monart Day Spa Poundbury offers a range of high-end treatments alongside one of the finest thermal suites in the country – including a hydrotherapy pool and state-of-the-art thermal spaces with sanarium, caldarium, sauna, salt grotto, infrared pro cabin, aroma steam room and unique experience showers.