Location
Set in the heart of Dorset, between Dorchester and Sherborne, Plush is a peaceful village in a beautiful, unspoilt valley with rolling hills on either side, wonderful walks and a charming local pub The Brace of Pheasants.
Explore Dorset & the Plush valley
Plush is perfectly located to explore the best of Dorset’s beautiful scenery, Jurassic coastline, rich cultural life and excellent gastronomy. Walking trails around Plush are breathtaking, and include the famous Dorset Gap, which passes across ancient hilltop dykes, burial mounds and traces of an unfinished Iron Age hill fort. The surrounding valleys have numerous villages and landmarks to visit, including the famous chalk giant at Cerne Abbas.
Places to visit
- Cerne Abbas – local store & giant (10 mins)
- World Heritage Site Jurassic coast including Chesil Beach, Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door
- Abbotsbury – Iron Age fort, swannery and subtropical gardens
- Burton Bradstock – beach & Hive cafe
- Fishing towns of Bridport or Lyme Regis for excellent restaurants, cafés, second hand bookshops
- Dorchester (Hardy’s Casterbridge) includes a weekly market, organic food shops, Hardy’s cottage and monument (20 mins)
- Sherborne – beautiful architecture and a famous abbey (30 mins)
- The Exchange arts centre in Sturminster Newton (15 mins)
- Bridport – seaside hub with the Arts Centre, film festival and buzzing pub life (40 mins)
- Sherborne, Corfe and Lulworth Castles (don’t miss the jousting tournaments)
Restaurants & Pubs
Visit www.dorsetfoodanddrink.org for details about local farmers markets, food festivals and events. Some of our favourite restaurants are:
- The Brace of Pheasants, Plush village. Thatched 15th century pub with award winning food & ales
- The New Inn, 14 Long St, Cerne Abbas DT2 7JF. Good Pub Guide – 2014 Best Dorset pub winner
- Hive Beach Cafe, Burton Bradstock. One of the best seafood cafés in Dorset, located right on the beach. Open summer months only. Sister restaurant, the Watch House Cafe in Bridport is open year round, and is also on the beach at West Bay
- The Bull, Bridport. Award-winning restaurant with quirky decor. Also has a fun second restaurant in the old stables, with stone-baked pizza and a selection of local Dorset cider
- Hix Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis. Celebrity chef Mark Hix’ chic Dorset restaurant, with stunning panoramic views
- River Cottage, Axminster. The River Cottage HQ is on the Dorset/ Devon border, close to Axminster. At the weekend, evening dining is available at the famous farm, with organic cookery from Hugh Fearnley Wittinghall’s team
