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Bouchard Finlayson Farm
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Bouchard Finlayson

Hermanus, Western Cape

Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard Background

A vineyard between heaven & earth

Cradled amid the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley,
Bouchard Finlayson is widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s leading boutique wine cellars.

With a terroir defined by both ancient soils and a cool maritime climate, the vineyards of Bouchard Finlayson are famous for producing award-winning
Pinot Noir, elegant Chardonnay and terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc, while inspired blends showcase the depth of skill and innovation in our winemaking team.

The Bouchard Finlayson cellar is conveniently located a scenic 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, close to the world-famous whale-watching centre of Hermanus.

Lord Digby

Exclusive house tour with

Lord Henry Digby of Minterne House

Discover Minterne House, which has been the home of the Churchill and Digby families since 1620. Learn about the incredible history on your exclusive two-hour tour with Lord Henry Digby. Home to the first Sir Winston Churchill, the Country House contains original tapestries and furniture. 

Your two-hour tour of the house and gardens will include coffee and cake/afternoon tea with his Lordship.

Price: £350 per tour (suitable for groups of up to six people)

Enquire now

Dorset Tours

We are proud to be working with Dorset Tours who offers private day tours that are perfect for small groups.

Embark on your own private minibus which collects and drops you off at the hotel, complete with an itinerary that is tailored to what you're interested in seeing along the Jurassic Coast!

More information Contact us

Village walking tours

Acquaint yourselves with the charming Evershot setting of our hotels. Resident historian Ray Wilton can guide you through Evershot’s local heritage—including the village’s direct link with Thomas Hardy.

The tour lasts around two hours and is £25 per person.

Please use the form below to enquire or speak to us at reception. 

Contact us
Guests playing tennis at Ashford Castle

Tennis with Henry Field

Looking to practice tennis whilst you stay with us? Local tennis coach Henry Field is Level 3 LTA qualified with several years of experience. 

Henry is happy to offer personal coaching or classes for smaller groups at Summer Lodge.

Please contact Henry via the below links to enquire about prices and availability. 

Contact via telephone Contact via email
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Gin tasting

Dazzle your taste buds with our gin tasting experience where you will enjoy three local gins, three different tonics, and three garnishes, as well as a presentation from our bar team.

Following the tasting experience, you will have the chance to enjoy your drinks amidst the tranquil grounds of the hotel.

Book now

Wellness

Our boutique spa facilities and all-weather tennis court are at your disposal, including our heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and studio gym.

Recline on loungers in a soft bathrobe and slippers, as water trickles over a glass orb fountain.

Enquire now
Jeni O’Connor of Space Yoga

Yoga classes at Summer Lodge

Jeni O’Connor of Space Yoga is a qualified yoga teacher who offers various classes at Summer Lodge. Mats and props are provided for all classes.

Dependant on weather, the classs will take place inside the hotel or outside in the gardens.

Price: £50 per hour for one - three guests, £15 per hour for four - six guests

Enquire now

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

We are honoured to have been selected to host a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, which directly advance the United Nations Global Goals.

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Pallington Lakes, Dorchester, England. Sculpture by the Lakes is. Amongst 26 acres of ponds, pools and, lakes its full of sculptures at evey turn big and small

Sculpture by the lakes

Visit sculptor Simon Gudgeon’s haven of peace and tranquility with an afternoon at Sculpture by the Lakes, an oasis for art lovers and collectors.

Nestled within 26 acres of Dorset countryside, the park is home to more than 30 of Simon’s largest sculptures. His wife Monique has also created a serene botanical garden to explore, inspired by plants from the UK and further afield. Sample locally grown produce from the kitchen garden with lunch at the Gallery Cafe, or simply enjoy the surroundings with a pot of tea and a slice of cake.

Price: £10 per person. 

Enquire now

Tea masterclass

Please note that we are currently not accepting reservations for this experience.

We proudly serve Single Estate Teas from our ethical supplier, PMD Tea. Our Afternoon Tea Masterclass Experience marries a selection of the finest PMD Teas with our Afternoon Tea sandwiches, scones and pastries. The experience is hosted by Dananjaya Silva, Managing Director of PMD Tea. Dan will guide you through the history of tea and how to expertly pair tea with food, creating the ultimate masterclass experience.  

Price: £240 for the tuition | £40 per person for Afternoon Tea

Group bookings welcome.

Book now

Whisky masterclass

Enjoy a bespoke whisky tasting experience, guided by our bar manager Jonathann Cocogne. 

We have an impressive choice of the finest whiskies on offer, from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, USA, South Africa and further afield. You’ll learn all about the history of whisky and whisky distilling, before savouring a tasting under Jonathann’s expert guidance. 


Price: £35 per person. 

Book now
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Furleigh Winery

Create your own sparkling wine

Enjoy an exclusively unique experience with Furleigh Estate, one of Dorset’s iconic wine producers at their vineyard near Bridport. After an introduction to winemaking and Dorset sparkling wines, learn how to blend a unique sparkling wine to your own taste in the winery.

A tour of the estate and winemaking facilities will follow the blending session, before a delicious picnic lunch in the vineyard. Conclude your day with a four-course culinary journey at Summer Lodge with our Executive Chef Steven Titman and our Cellar Master Eric Zwiebel, with a Dorset sparkling wine aperitif and paired wines from our own vineyard in South Africa, Bouchard Finlayson. Two weeks later, you will receive three bottles of your own bespoke, labelled, and unique blend of sparkling wine to enjoy.

Price: £325 per person.

Enquire now
Wine selection at Summer Lodge

Bespoke wine tasting

Take a wine masterclass with resident expert sommelier and cellar master Eric Zwiebel. Enjoy this exclusive experience as Eric guides you through some of his favourite wines, as you sample a Champagne, two whites, two reds and a dessert wine.  

Eric’s knowledge is world class, having won Summer Lodge’s wine list a coveted Best of Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator every year since 2005. 

Price: £120 per person. 

Enquire now
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Furleigh Wine Estate

Furleigh wine estate tour

Discover the award-winning wines at Furleigh Estate, set in the stunning Dorset countryside, just five miles from the Jurassic Coast.  

Your two-hour tour will include a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, followed by a stroll through the vineyards and a description of the history of English wine, before moving into the production facility and barrel maturation room. Guests will then enjoy a seated tasting of four still and sparkling wines, accompanied by a sharing platter of local cheeses and charcuterie. 

Price: £25 per person.

Enquire now
Fermentation

Fermentation masterclass

Learn the secrets and health benefits of fermentation which can be practised in your own home. Using local ingredients from our kitchen and gardens, our fermentation expert will guide you through the techniques to create delicious and healthy drinks including kvas, keffir, kombucha, shrub, and apple cider vinegar.

The session lasts 90 minutes and includes a fermented cocktail (alcoholic/alcohol-free) a brief history of fermentation, a tutorial on the associated health benefits as well as the actual creation of these life-affirming and delicious drinks. 

Enqurie now
Falconry at Summer Lodge

Falconry in the garden

If you’re fascinated by birds of prey, try your hand at casting off one of our resident Harris hawks, Bertie, Titch or Bumble. Under the watchful eye of Paul, our resident falconer, you’ll learn all about these majestic animals, before having a go yourself.  

After a short introduction, you’ll take a 90-minute stroll around the grounds of our hotel, watching as the hawks leave and return to the glove on command, swooping and soaring overhead, with impressive speed and agility. 

Price: £50 per person. 

Enquire now
Sloop rigged modern yacht with wooden teak deck sailing at sunrise. A view from the deck to the bow. Colorful clouds. Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, UK

Chartered yacht

The Jurassic Coast is spectacular and all the more breathtaking when viewed from the sea. Plan your own skippered charter to sail along this World Heritage Site on a luxurious yacht, with a coastal tour that's tailored to your requirements.

Enquire now
Garden Activities

Croquet match

Pit your skills against each other in a lawn game of croquet in the beautiful and restful surroundings of our manicured gardens. Allow our wonderful team to bring you refreshments as you learn the rules to this quintessential English game.

Enquire now

Mindfulness workshops

Embark on an introduction to mindfulness with Verity Woodgate, whose programme, Zenna, was created to help businesses develop healthy workplace environments. Take a walk amongst our walled gardens and enjoy a healthy, seasonal lunch.

Enquire now

Hiking tours with Martin Curtis

Experience vast hiking opportunities in Dorset, from short hikes to multi-day experiences along the Jurassic Coast, with expert tour guide Martin Curtis. These are bespoke experiences, with prices quoted on agreement. Transfers for the experiences are available if required.

Enquire now

Floral workshops

Create a beautiful floral arrangement under the expert guidance of our Resident Florist Robyn Semple-Dower, the creative talent behind the stunning displays in our hotel. Learn how to incorporate foliage and seasonal flowers from our gardens.

Enquire now

Mapperton House tour

Go behind the scenes of Mapperton House, which dates back to the 16th century, with formal gardens, a beautiful orangery, topiary yews and a lily pond, leading to an informal area planted with ornamental shrubs and views over the countryside.

Enquire now

What's on at Summer Lodge

Browse our calendar of events for inspirational entertainment and seasonal dining experiences...

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