Half Moon — Restaurant in England

A Memorable Day at Pack Monday in Sherborne

On Monday, 14th October 2024, my family and friends and I had the pleasure of attending Pack Monday in the picturesque town of Sherborne, Dorset. This annual event, steeped in tradition and local culture, offered us a delightful mix of historical charm and vibrant community spirit.

Our stay at the “Half Moon Inn” added to the magic. The inn, with its historical charm and comfortable ambiance, was the perfect retreat after a day of exploration. The hospitality was fantastic, with friendly staff who made us feel right at home. Special thanks to Craig and Zophia, whose exceptional service and warm personalities stood out, making our stay even more memorable. The bedroom was cozy and well-appointed, ensuring a restful night.

A significant highlight of our visit was the massive Pack Monday Market. The market stalls lined the streets from Sherborne train station, up Cheap Street, and extended through all the side roads. Vendors offered an array of goods, from local produce and handmade crafts to delicious street food and unique antiques. The vibrant market was a bustling hub of activity, reflecting the festive spirit of Pack Monday and providing something for everyone to enjoy.

The annual Pack Monday event itself was a vibrant mix of tradition and festivity. From local crafts and foods to live music and entertainment, the day was filled with joyful moments and new experiences. Sherborne’s Pack Monday is more than just an event; it's a celebration of community, tradition, and the simple pleasures of life in a beautiful setting.

We can't wait to return to Sherborne and relive the wonderful experiences we had at Pack Monday. The town, its people, and its rich heritage have left an indelible mark on our hearts.

The “Half Moon Inn” will undoubtedly be our top choice for accommodation on our next adventure.

Mr Colin...

Lady at bar (hard worker, btw) took me round to mini reception to check me in in friendly fashion. Single room is a little bigger than many and the ensuite bathroom definitely so - a bath tub with shower over it was great to have (- this was one of this summer's heatwaves). Bedroom in particular could do with redecoration (- wallpaper old and in parts peeling). Room and corridor were very peaceful. I wasn't even really disturbed by the brewery delivery early Monday morning that the lady had warned me about. Extremely glad to have a desk fan, with three strength settings, in the room; even with that I was hot and restless in bed as my only top bedding was a warm duvet! I chose to eat in Sunday evening. I was disappointed by there being no pizza and the choice of only two vegan mains this particular Sunday evening, but I must say the barbecued cauliflower wings on (very varied and nutritious) salad was delicious. The two young gents at the bar at this time had a bit of (slightly cocky) attitude and were definitely not so friendly. Breakfast - vegan cooked breakfast - lacked excitement and was blandly prepared/presented. Over all, with coffee, juice etc., taste was no better than 'ok'. I appreciated early check-in and late check-out, for sure. I felt that, especially for Sherborne, I got value for money and generally acceptable internal surroundings. The exterior of the property is especially attractive and the location...

We knew we were booking a room above a pub to break up a long drive from Sussex to Cornwall, but it felt like we were staying at a house party. The other guests were loud, there are no soft close doors, the double glazing isn’t effective. We were hoping that once the pub had shut we (and our 5 year old) would get some sleep but we even considered leaving- this is down to the doors and the other guests though. The people above us were noisy, I could hear the guy in room 10 yawning and their TV (to give you an idea of how much you can hear). What was a real shame, and completely manageable by the hotel group was the fact that the room wasn’t clean. There were hairs in the bathroom including the remnants of someone’s shave around the sink- the carpet had bits all over it that a hoover would have easily worked wonders on, and we wouldn’t use the cups as they weren’t clean (brown marks, not generally wear and tear tea/coffee stain). I don’t like leaving negative reviews, but this isn’t the place to stay unless you are a very deep sleeper who isn’t phased by other people’s body hairs and unwashed cups etc. I’m not fussy about much but we didn’t even want our 5 year old rolling around...