A 5-minute walk from the centre of Shaftesbury, Ampersand House offers stylish bedrooms, free WiFi, exciting breakfasts and afternoon tea with a slice of cake or scones on arrival.
Each bedroom has modern en-suite facilities with free Korres bath products. There is also a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, fresh flowers and home-made Amaretti biscuits to enjoy or take home.
Breakfast is served in the lounge, which also has a snug sitting area. The menu includes Eggs Benedict, Royale and Florentine, granola with low-fat Greek yogurt and forest fruit purée, and a cooked option with bacon, sausage, mushrooms, roast tomatoes, black pudding, eggs and toast. A vegetarian cooked breakfast is also available.
Shaftesbury is a picturesque hill-top town with lots of restaurants, cafés and independent shops. The town has views across 3 counties and is a 40-minute drive from Salisbury.
Score from 137 reviews
Superb
9.6/10
Rooms: 2
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Address: Christy's Lane, Shaftesbury SP7 8DL 
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Ampersand House - Photos
What people say
Everything! We booked a couple of nights at Ampersand House for our honeymoon and really wanted somewhere we could relax before heading off to a festival. And we couldn't have chosen any better!
As well as being beautifully designed throughout (and appealing to our own passion for Font geekery and retro furniture), Kathryn was a perfect host, providing tea and cakes, chat and advice for our stay. We were also particularly grateful for the lovely meal she cooked us on the second night (comple. all reviews »
We agree thoroughly with the review you have posted. We appreciated the thoughtful email
we were sent before we set off with travel directions and restaurant recommendations. When we arrived we were given a very warm welcome and much enjoyed the coffee and walnut cake and tea. There were most interesting books in the guest sitting room (including design , art and typography - we learnt what Ampersand means) and our room. Our room was most thoughtfully equipped (including a shower radio and the.
I have travelled a lot over the UK and Europe and this was the most friendly place I have ever stayed, our host Kathryn was so kind to us upon arrival and even took the trouble to make us a reservation at a nearby Italian restaurant that I highly recommend! The rooms are spotless with a very interesting modern art décor throughout the home. I say 'home' because that Is how you are made to feel at this lovely place! An amazing quality home cooked breakfast was just the perfect start to the day, .
You're not really sure what's awaiting you when you pull up outside but one foot in the door, and...wow! Kathryn has set the bar very high indeed: the ambience, the warmth of the welcome, the thoughtful details, the breakfast and above all the knowledge that you are in safe hands, combine to enable you to relax and enjoy the time you have there. Ampersand House is really perfectly located to either walk into Shaftesbury itself - which is an absolute little gem - or range a bit further afield i.
A very warm welcome and was offered a glass of wine. The house was spotless with very good facilities that included a superb selection of books in the dining area. Breakfast was the best experience for us so far in the Uk. Catered for food allergy. Excellent choice from home made breads, Dorset cereals to full English with veggie alternative. Rooms are very comfortable with superb shower room and tasty macaroon snacks which I thought was a lovely touch. Thank you Kathryn for a lovely stay.
The B&B owners couldn't have been more welcoming. The room was comforatble and good value. The breakfast was 1st class with a varied menu to suit all tastes. The little extras provided showed they care about guests and their stay for e.g. tea and cake on arrival and again another day.
Selection of DVDs in room was a nice thought too. On suite very clean and suitable.
Good location for visiting both Yeovil and Salisbury areas for Nat Trust houses etc.
Ampersand House is a lovely B&B. The hosts were welcoming and friendly and very helpful when we had trouble getting a taxi to take us to a wedding - offering to drive us themselves. Rooms are clean, beautifully decorated and comfortable. Breakfast was lovely - they offer an extensive menu including a wide choice of jams. We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend this B&B to anyone.
Everything was perfect. We received a very warm welcome on arrival (including tea and home-made cake). Kathryn, our hostess, was very friendly and helpful throughout. The accommodation, a blend of classic and contemporary design, was very comfortable and within easy walking distance of the historic centre of Shaftesbury. Breakfast was excellent (fresh home-made bread for toast).
At arrival we were offered a glass of delicious redwine and welcoming words. Tranquility is the best word to describe the first impression of the atmosphere. All the small details (too many to list here-see for yourself) toghether with the hosts warm open attitude and the extraordinary breakfast, makes Ampersand the best B&B so far.
We were made to feel so very welcome, from the moment we first communicated with the lovely Kathryn. The welcome was extended when we were introduced to partner Andrew and gorgeous son, Dylan and dog Purdy. Nothing was too much trouble and we felt as if we were staying with friends!.
The Owner was very friendly and welcomed us to her house. Even offering us a glass of wine
She gave us information about the village and the surrounding area. They had a great homemade map! She made a reservation at a local pub. We would stay here again. The breakfast was great!!!.
Kathryn was absolutely lovely and she makes this B&B. We had some gorgeous scones on arrival in the lounge. The decor is brilliant and interesting with good books, lots of magazines and music/dvd's. The breakfasts were delicious and the bed very comfy. Thanks very much!.
Above categories do not include historic town which would be appropriate for this establishment.
Special extras ---- good quality toiletries, sauces, cereals and conserves ---- home made cake on return each day. Extremely friendly, but not intrusive, attention.
Warm, beautifully presented B&B. Artistic, funky, different. Lovely hosts who went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. Spotlessly clean. New bathroom. Luxury toiletries. Amazing choice of cooked breakfast. Homemade cake and tea on arrival.
A very friendly welcome to this delightful B&B. I was offered tea and freshly baked scones on arrival. There were lovely touches in the room like wonderful teas, fresh coffee and macaroons. The breakfast was delicious with home baked bread. A real gem.
Lovely warm welcome, made to feel very comfortable. Lots of extra touches - meringues with cream and raspberries on arrival, home made biscuits in room, everything top quality. Excellent breakfasts! Lovely family feel with friendly dog and cats.
The level of customer service was exceptional, superb organic breakfast in comfortable, clean and friendly surroundings having received the warmest of welcomes including a glass of wine and the most scrumptious slice of chocolate cake.
Very warm welcome,and lovely cream tea on arrival. Very kind and considerate to us, and nothing was too much trouble.The decor of the house was an eclectic mix which worked perfectly.The breakfast was great., the house was spotless.
Fantastic House the owners could not do enough for us every need was catered for nothing was to much trouble food excellent and was very generous portions more offered if you could eat it would very certainly stay there again.
Good hospitality - Friendly host - pet friendly - comfortable room - fresh milk - freshly cooked scones and tea on arrival. Excellent breakfast. Good location for local amenities in Shaftesbury.
Great location for visiting the town. Lots of lovely pubs, restaurants and walks.
Nothing was too much trouble at Ampersand House lots of extra touches tea,cake,sweets and water on arrival.
Everything. Friendly welcome. Freshly baked scones on arrival. Beautifully furnished room. Attention to detail. Nice bed. Fresh linen. Nice bathroom. Great shower. Beautiful breakfast.
Made very welcome with an offer of mince pies! Comfortable room and excellent breakfast. Kathryn was very helpful with a minor injury. Oh, the homemade biscuits were very good as well.
We were made to feel really welcome by the friendly owners. They were also very helpful in assisting with road directions when my satnav froze. I would recommend Ampersand to anyone.
Very friendly and comfortable, the rooms and en-suites are lovely. As a vegetarian I would particularly recommend the veggie breakfast which was delicious, thanks for a fab stay.
Chic and stylish house. Fabulous breakfast. Very friendly and welcoming owner. Lovely bathroom with complimentary Korres bath products. High quality Egyptian cotton bedding.
The owner was as accomodating as anybody could be and made me feel welcome. The room was a very good size and modern as was the bathroom with a high level of cleanliness.
Good welcome and very friendly throughout. Fresh, interesting decor.
First rate breakfast with homemade bread. Good room, very nice bathroom.
Good meal at the Mitre.
Kathryn was so welcoming, made us lovely mulled wine. Delicious breakfast. Very comfortable room and interesting house. Cats and dog a bonus!.
The information sent through beforehand on local restaurants was very useful.
We received a warm welcome and a superb breakfast.
Very friendly, welcoming. comfortable luxury style room. well catered for with food choice & home cooking if needed.
Clean and comfortable
Good welcome
Good advice on the area
Beautiful countryside
Wonderful breakfast
Reasonable charges.
Personal touches with quality given by the host.
Relaxed atmosphere with no pressure of timekeeping or routine.
superbly attentive,great food and spotless and comfy room,lovely bathrooms. Grat location for town centre .
The hosts were excellent, the food was extremly good and the level of service on my arrival was fantastic.
Modern and comtemporary design with comfortable , relaxing enironment.
Staff is friendly and hospitable.
Informal but everything tip top. No problem with having a key. Quiet and great bathroom and comfy bed.
attention to detail. excellent breakfast. fresh scones on arrival. lovely treats in the room.
hospitality; nice touches Eg. water ; cream tea
location
proprietor
breakfast.
A lovely place to stay. Stylish and comfortable. Very friendly and welcoming.
Excellent friendly welcome - great food - very relaxing ambience - perfect!!.
Hi, I spend in hotels 30% my live. This hotel are really the best.
extremely comfortable, charming owner and excellent breakfast.
The host were wonderful and looked after us very well.
It is a very good hotel, everything is nice.
The location in relation of the town centre!.
very friendly people.
There's no doubt that the host, Kathryn, is superb. She will put
herself out with little treats that make you feel very welcome. The
lovely old house is designed very minimalistic and not quite our taste,
but it grows on you and we had a very nice stopover.
proximity to Shaftesbury.
We did end up driving past the B&B initially- but probably this was because of a long drive and a busy few days rather than poor signage. Otherwise, nothing!.
There was nothing we didn't like.
Only thing was the road is difficult to negotiate outside if turing right with car. Also, TV digital reception kept breaking up and had to stop watching. Only small things I consider.
Having to leave!.
Road a little busy.
Nothing.
Nothing!.
No dinner as it is just a B&B but as I didn't have transport that was a problem. The outside sign isn't big enough and it was hard to find.
Nothing to dislike.
Nothing.
Nothing to dislike.
N/A.
Going home !.
Nothing.
Nothing.
There was nothing to complain about.
Towels very rough. No shaver socket in the bathroom. Some might find the
approach a bit too chummy eg introducing guest to each other. Owners and
another guest had dogs. We are very fond of dogs but having a member of
the family who dislikes them and another who is allergic, this should be
pointed out at time of booking.
nothing.
Nothing that has not previously been commented on. All of which I believe is being addressed.
The signage was less than clear as it is next to another B&B with very clear signage.
nothing.
I loved everything.
difficult to find ; email with directions needs to be sent out at least 2 weeks before stay.
irritating music at breakfast ( and we are music lovers!).
Can't fault it.
The location on the busy a30 can get noisy especially in hot weather
with window open for fresh air. Annoyingly, the indoor tv Ariel gave no
reception.
proximity to the main road,although the room was quiet because of double glazing.
