The Bull Hotel

We arrived on a cold sunny September day and headed to Burton Bradstock. There overlooking the beach is the Hive Beach Café. Lovely seafood! Definitely worth a visit

The lovely manager at the hotel recommended a nearby country pub called the Three Horseshoes in Powerstock, about 15 mins away. The food was delicious with at least three imaginative vegetarian options. In Bridport itself, the hotel is the best option for food.

Leakers Bakery, just across the road from The Bull Hotel, was a visit back to my childhood when bread was traditionally baked in a brick oven and tasted divine. The choice was immense and exciting, ranging from traditional wholemeal loaves to specialities such as pesto bread or New York rye and crunchy date, also known as 'Jurassic Foot'. Then there were the cakes, biscuits and pies, sheer heaven. My poor husband had to restrain me from buying out the shop! Suddenly he was glad we had brought the mini. At least there are gorgeous long walks to justify one's indulgence. This is one bakery no one should miss.

Go to Bella's at 7 South Street (+44 (0)1308 424343), just around the corner from The Bull Hotel. At Bella's you'll find the most enormous cakes! They are displayed in the window and really are huge. Buy a slice of your choice (mine was the coffee fudge - highly recommended) and a cup of coffee - sit in Bucky Doo Square - and watch the world go by...

We arrived in Bridport tired and frazzled from a busy, freezing January. We had read about The Bull Hotel on Mr and Mrs Smith and it seemed to offer us exactly what was needed: a quirky, boutique hotel with excellent food and lovely rooms! And, true to form, that was JUST what we found.

We turned up on Saturday afternoon to our complimentary cream tea (courtesy of booking with Mr and Mrs Smith) and retired to the lounge to watch the rugby. We hadn't booked dinner at The Bull for Saturday night, instead we planned to eat there on Sunday night (for a well deserved 'treat dinner') planning to find somewhere in town on Saturday night. There were, as the reviews had suggested, lots of choices in Bridport, but we had left it too late, so returned slightly apologetically to The Bull, where we were made very welcome AND where we could have just what was wanted – a main course of steak and crayfish- delicious!

Sunday, we had a lazy start and a gorgeous cooked breakfast, followed by a long walk on the beach (returning just before the tide came in!) and ended the day as we began, eating wonderful food in the Bull's restuarant. The reviews are spot on – food is fresh, lovely, bistro in style, with friendly staff and a lovely boutiquey atmosphere: welcoming but special, cosy but uniqe.

We headed off on our travels on Monday morning after another leisurely, beautifully presented cooked breakfast – our only problem emerging? We could get used to this!! We highly recommend The Bull and will definitely return.

We had a great little 'minimoon' here after our wedding in September and the food and service was great! When we arrived they told us to visit the Venner Bar (in the hotel) where they were serving some lovley canapes and a vast selection of cocktails :)

The hotel also recommended a walk up to Thorncombe Beacon, which was an amazing 'away from it all' mile-long walk, with beautiful views that get better and better as you get higher – very romantic (once you catch your breath!)

The Saturday 'antiques' market in Bridport was a nice way to spend a couple of hours – we managed to find a nice pair of 60/70's Portmeirion bowls and some early space Lego for the kids – not quite 'Lovejoy' but fun all the same!

Don't forget to pop down to the harbour. It's a bit of a walk, so probably best to jump in the car. There are plenty of good restaurants just around the corner, but I would recommend the Bull Hotel on Wednesday. It's moules frites night! Brilliant value.