Dining is a highlight in The Garden Room, at The Priory in Dorset where modern British cooking follows the rhythm of Dorset’s larder. Seasonal, local ingredients lead the way, served with a warmth that makes you feel instantly at home. It’s this rare blend of heritage, natural beauty and heartfelt hospitality that makes The Priory so memorable.
Dining at The Garden Room ties The Priory to its Dorset roots. The kitchen cooks modern British dishes shaped by the seasons, drawing on local growers, fishermen and makers. Expect day-fresh fish from the coast when it runs best, summertime berries and garden herbs, then game and orchard fruit as the year turns. Plates are precise, produce-led and never fussy.
Service is thoughtful and unhurried, the room light and inviting with views over the riverside gardens and the River Frome. It’s a quietly confident restaurant where provenance, setting and genuine hospitality do the talking.
Britain's Finest in conversation with The Garden Room
Where is The Garden Room located?
The Garden Room is a contemporary fine dining restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass windows to make the most of the uninterrupted views across the lawn, down to the river, and out to the Isle of Purbeck. Set beside the banks of the River Frome in the historic market town of Wareham, surrounded by four acres of landscaped gardens, it offers guests a dining experience that feels both elegant and timeless, whether it be on a summer's day or by candlelit in the evening.
Does the chef at The Garden Room have a signature dish?
Our ever-popular Treat Yourself menu is home to our signature dishes. You can enjoy locally sourced Chateaubriand carved at your table served with a sauce of your choice, whole Dover Sole, with garden herbs, and Beurre Blanc. Our Priory Seafood Cocktail and Kimmerdge Bay Lobster are also top of the list when guests dine.
What type of food do you serve at The Garden Room?
The Garden Room celebrates modern British cuisine with a focus on quality and local produce. Menus are led by the ingredients — from fresh Kimmeridge Bay Lobster, to Maiden Castle Beef. Dishes are elegant yet unpretentious, designed to let each ingredient shine, packed with flavour.
What makes the dining experience unique at The Garden Room ?
Steeped in history, our former monastery is full of nostalgic charm. Our contemporary, light-filled Garden Room provides a one-of-a-kind dining experience with traditional fine dining service blended with an elegant atmosphere, with beautiful garden and river views. Our Biritsh cuisine, with a classical influence from our Head Chef, Stephan Guinebault celebrates the very best produce, where possible, locally sourced. With a comprehensive wine list, we also offer a pairing menu, it is truly a unique and special experience.
