The Crown Inn is a traditional thatched 16th century coaching inn steeped in history & which is said to have offered refreshment to travellers for centuries, possibly as early as the reign of King Henry VIII. Set in the thick of the English Countryside, there is an abundance of good rambles, cycle routes & local places to see & visit.

 

The Crown sits in the village of Marnhull, a convenient spot for a Sunday roast & a local ale or two after a stroll around the nearby & stunning gardens at Stourhead House or after exploring the historic market towns of Shaftesbury & Sherborne.

 

Still a thriving village local, you’ll find nods to the pub's history dotted throughout the bar & restaurant. Most notably, The Crown Inn features as the ‘Pure Drop Inn’ in Thomas Hardy’s novel ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ (1891); considered to be Hardy’s fictional masterpiece.

 

The pub has an oak stool lined bar that is stocked with local Badger ales & features wooden beams, flagstone floors & a roaring inglenook fire in the winter. There are further dining spaces serving unpretentious food, a sun-filled walled garden & courtyard for the warmer months, a private dining room for intimate gatherings, a homely library for impromptu get-togethers & seven characterful en-suite bedrooms.

 

On the menu you’ll find a range of pub classics as well as perfectly grilled steaks & a variety of small plates; all of which complement a crisp pint perfectly. The offering at The Crown is cosy, relaxed & informal, which is something that the make-up of the pub really lends itself to.

 

The Crown is the perfect pit stop if you’re visiting one of the many local sites, but with seven simple & stylish bedrooms you could make the trip upstairs just to put your feet up, enjoy the atmosphere, & roll to bed after one too many downstairs.

 

Today, The Crown is under the management of experienced publicans, Gemma & Monty, who’ve run the business since September 2015. Their combined efforts, along with the support of their loyal team, have created the very best of Dorset hospitality; a wonderful public house & inn offering a friendly welcome, great food & refreshments, comfortable dining & drinking areas, as well as characterful guest rooms; which all go to make for a memorable experience whatever the occasion.