A Brief History Of Our Pub in Farnham – historic countryside inn with charming rooms and refined dining
Welcome to The Museum Inn, Farnham
Nestled in the idyllic, picture-postcard village of Farnham, Dorset, The Museum Inn is an award-winning, 17th-century country inn of unparalleled character. Situated in the heart of the Cranborne Chase—an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—this historic property flawlessly blends its rich Victorian heritage with luxury boutique comfort. The inn features an acclaimed gastropub restaurant, an atmospheric bar with flagstone floors and roaring open fires, a beautiful courtyard terrace, and eight individually styled luxury bedrooms, alongside a separate large cottage for group retreats. It stands as a premier destination for country sports enthusiasts, walkers, and travelers seeking a refined Dorset escape.
The Museum Inn — A Journey Through Time
Origins and the Legacy of General Pitt Rivers
While the foundations of the property date back to the 17th century, its unique identity was forged in the late 1800s by one of Britain’s most eccentric and brilliant historical figures. In 1880, General Augustus Pitt Rivers, widely regarded as the founding father of modern scientific archaeology, inherited the vast Rushmore Estate. He established the pioneering Farnham Museum just steps from the pub to house his world-class collection of antiquities. To accommodate the wealthy Victorian scholars, tourists, and aristocrats flocking from London to view his collections, he completely transformed, upgraded, and renamed the village hostelry as The Museum Inn.
Architectural Development
Architecturally, The Museum Inn is a stunning, Grade II-listed masterpiece of traditional Dorset estate styling. The exterior presents a beautiful combination of locally sourced flint, warm red brickwork, and a magnificent, meticulously maintained thatched roof. Inside, the property is a triumph of historic preservation. The main bar and dining spaces are arranged across a layout of intimate rooms featuring original flagstone flooring, low ceilings, and heavy oak support beams. The property avoids clinical minimalism, matching its rustic 17th-century bones with the elegant wood panelling and country-house grandeur introduced during its Victorian expansion.
A Hub for Country Pursuits and Society
Rather than operating as a standard, long-distance overland coaching inn, The Museum Inn carved out a prestigious reputation as an elite social nucleus for the Cranborne Chase. Under the stewardship of the Rivers Estate, it became a legendary destination for country sports, catering directly to the shooting, hunting, and fishing parties that frequented the estate lands. It served as a high-status forum where the nation’s leading archaeologists, local gentry, and rural farmers crossed paths, sharing stories by the fireside and establishing the inn as a vibrant centre of intellectual and social exchange in rural Dorset.
Sustainable Gastronomy and Modern Luxuries
Today, The Museum Inn operates as a highly rated boutique destination, celebrated for its exceptional approach to food and drink. The kitchen team works with a strict commitment to regional sustainability, partnering closely with independent Dorset farms, hedgerows, and the surrounding estates to construct an award-winning menu of elevated British classics and refined seasonal dishes. This dedication to local provenance is paired with a superb selection of award-winning real cask ales, craft beers, and an extensive, fine wine list that caters to discerning travelers.
Boutique Staycations in Cranborne Chase
Thoughtful design updates have beautifully transformed the inn’s eight en-suite guest bedrooms, alongside its adjacent eight-bedroom property, Mews Cottage. The rooms combine soft heritage tones with luxurious fabrics, comfortable contemporary furnishings, and sleek modern bathrooms—with signature rooms featuring dramatic rolltop baths. Completely dog-friendly, the inn serves seamlessly as a welcoming local watering hole for Farnham residents and a peaceful, luxurious sanctuary for travelers exploring the historic town of Shaftesbury, the coastal beauty of the Jurassic Coast, or the ancient woodlands of the Chase.
Conclusion
The Museum Inn successfully bridges the gap between a historic 17th-century estate tavern and a luxurious modern country house hotel. We invite you to join us in Farnham, sit beneath our beautiful thatched eaves by the crackling open fires, and experience the exceptional British dining, local ales, and world-class heritage hospitality that have defined this Dorset landmark since the dawn of modern archaeology.
