 | The Old Forge Shaftesbury The Old Forge, Chapel Hill, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0NQ "The Old Forge dates back to approximately 1700. It is a building full of local history and was formerly used as the local estate wheelwright and carriage builder. The Old Forge Car Restoration is carried out in a converted cart shed where Tim restores Post-War classics." |
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 The Old ForgeThe Old Forge, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0NQTelephone: 01747 811881 Taste of the West Food and Drink awards BRONZE 2006 + 2008 |  |
| The Old Forge dates back to approximately 1700. It is a building full of local history and was formally used as the local estate wheelwright and carriage builder. We purchased the property in 1986 and have gradually renovated and restored the buildings to create a B&B with two self-catering cottages. We live here with our four children Millie, Lottie, Sophie and Jack.  The Old Forge Car Restoration is carried out in a converted Cart shed where Tim Restores Post-War classics.We also run a rural small holding with 2 acres of land where we keep our two Arabian horses Jasmine and Ariel, as well as compete in long distance riding. We also have two Labradors Molly and Willow, Westie Daisy and free range chickens. |
The Cornflower Room: This is a charming single bedroom with a pine single bed. There is a private bathroom just adjacent. N.B. As these two rooms share the same bathroom we do not let them out at the same time unless it is to one family, i.e.; a private bathroom is assured. Visitors are welcome to use the dining/sitting room with Log burning stove, board games, local maps and guidebooks. The Old Forge is a non-smoking household.  Please guarantee your booking with written confirmation and a deposit of £25 payable to The Old Forge. Prices include a farmhouse or continental breakfast consisting of local organic sausage and bacon, free range eggs from our own hens, homemade marmalade, local honey, and apple juice from our orchard. |
| Self Catering There are 2 cottages: (Minimum stay 3-4 nights)  The Wheelwrights: sleeps 2 The Wheelwrights adjoins our 18th century Stone house in an attractive courtyard setting. Entrance from the porch leads into an open plan dining/sitting room with a wood burning stove. The Double Bedroom leads onto a dressing room which in turn leads to the bathroom. All the accommodation is at ground floor level and provides an attractive pied-à-terre. The Smithy: sleeps 2 The Smithy lies just across the yard from the main house and was the original Blacksmiths forge. It still retains many of the original features and blacksmiths artefacts and has made a wonderful conversion with views across the village green to Fontmell Down. It also has its own private sitting area under a Pergola entwined with grapes and honeysuckle. Accommodation consists of a sitting room/dining room with wood burning stove, steps down to a kitchen and bathroom. Steps up from the sitting room lead to the galleried double bedroom. A perfect honeymoon retreat. |
| Gypsy Caravan This is a new addition to our range of accommodation at The Old Forge. The caravan is technically a Showman's wagon. These were built for the itinerant fairground workers and performers at around the turn of the century when steam Engines became available to tow the equipment and their caravans. It was built in 1934 and has been painted with the Romany traditions of Embellishment and decoration which it still retains in its original condition.  It is available to rent either B&B or as an annex to the Smithy or the Wheelwrights. It has its own private lavatory, washbasin and shower in a converted outhouse approximately 30 metres from the caravan. Accommodation consists of a double bed 6ft by 3ft 7 (cosy!) fitted wardrobe, chest of drawers and dressing table, all beautifully painted in the Romany tradition. It is irresistibly romantic for those attracted to a somewhat unusual place to stay or as extra accommodation to The Smithy or The Wheelwrights. The views look across our two acre field to the Dorset Downs, Idyllic! |
| Location Compton Abbas village is situated just below Fontmell Down now part of a chalk down land owned by The National Trust. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and special interest for its wild flowers, grasses, butterflies and Iron Age cross dykes. It was purchased by The National Trust in memory of Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) as a reminder of some of his great writings that took place in Dorset and his love of the county. No fertilisers or sprays have been used to encourage the colonisation of chalk loving flowers. In summer the profusion of flowers and butterflies on the site gives us a glimpse of what was once a familiar sight in the countryside. A short drive leads to the historic town of Shaftesbury, famous for Gold Hill, whilst further a field beckon beaches and coastal paths as well as the towns of Salisbury and Sherborne with their cafes, museums and inns. |  |
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