From our family to yours

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: £25 per person. 

Enjoy a 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 Finalyson. 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Explore Dorset's first gin distillery - from its Juniper-led dry gin with Dorset notes of gooseberries, samphire and handpicked gorse flowers, to the cold brew coffee liqueur - or take a tasting journey of local gins at The Acorn Inn.

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 or 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.