A Place Rooted in History
Three things make The Ollerod what it is: a 14th century building, a small devoted team, and the quietly extraordinary corner of Dorset that surrounds it.
The Setting
A corner of Dorset
worth discovering
Beaminster sits in a fold of the hills, ten minutes from the Jurassic Coast. The Ollerod makes an ideal base for exploring West Bay, Lyme Regis, and the quieter footpaths in between.
Our History
Centuries
in the making
Constructed as a clergy house for local priests, featuring traditional Dorset hamstone architecture and medieval craftsmanship.
Converted to a tudor dwelling with new partitions and stone mullion windows (some still visible today), reflecting the architectural styles of the era.
Occupied by a catholic family who installed a hidden 'priest hole' for secret worship during religious persecution. It remains a fascinating feature in one of our four poster rooms
A new wing was added to the building, which, after a few hundred years, is now our kitchen and one of our four poster rooms
As Beaminster grew into a lively market town, the building evolved beyond its clerical roots to welcome travelers with a coaching-inn style.
The original coach house was restored and converted into guest accommodations (now our self catering apartments), marking the beginning of its journey as a boutique hotel.
The property was revitalized by a creative London couple who transformed the historic building into a stylish country hotel.
Michelin-starred chef Chris Staines and Silvana Bandini took ownership, rebranding as The Ollerod and establishing a 'restaurant with rooms' that blends traditional character with modern design.
Award-winning restaurant forced to shut due to national hospitality crisis. Start of the new "Bed & Bar" evolution
The coach house was renovated to create two luxury self catering apartments. The Ollerod continues to offer exceptional hospitality, blending its rich history with contemporary comforts.
The People
The faces behind
The Ollerod
Silvana
Owner & Host
Silvana fell in love with the building on a rainy Tuesday and never looked back. She oversees everything with a watchful eye and an instinct for warmth — from the flowers on the bar to the welcome in the hallway. The Ollerod is, in every sense, hers.Silvana is South African born to an Italian Father and Scottish Mother. She has been involved in hospitality from a young age and moved to the UK in 2007. Silvana was at The PIG near Bath before buying The Ollerod and worked in a handful of very well regarded establishments prior to that.
The Team
The heart of the house
Behind every perfectly made bed, every glass poured at the right moment, and every quietly solved problem is a small group of people who care deeply. Our team is Dorset-rooted and guest-obsessed, and we wouldn't have it any other way. We're enormously proud of every single one of them.