The Sanctuary Coffee Shop in West Dorset

Nothing special, just a cafe inside a church! Pretty good latte and carrot cake and very friendly staff here the day I went. The atmosphere would be even better without the kids’ playpen and with a little better music but still worth coming to for the novelty.Supposedly it gets busy with moms and kids (for said playpen) but it was nice and quiet when I went.

NiiiceChurch , coffee , booze .There’s a kids playground so it is a perfect place for those with children .

Super idea coffee in the church🙌 but not sure about post office and dpd delivery in the church …

This cafe is excellent. The cake is always *delicious*, and there is a wide range of hot and cold drinks and sandwiches. Lots of seating, both at tables and on sofas, and you will always find somewhere to sit. Great wifi makes this a good place to work if you don't mind kids running around/music playing in the cafe. It really is a sanctuary - and extra lovely if you can bag a seat next to one of the big heaters! Thank you St James Church for offering the use of your beautiful space.

Nice little place inside the church. Popular with mums given the childs play area. Nice coffee and interesting setting inside a church. Adjoining post office is very convenient. LGBTQ friendly.

Lovely cafe in an old church with plenty of seating. They had vegan food options and milk alternatives also. And the staff were absolutely lovely - really friendly and warm.

Great place to go with kids. Can have a coffee and have them enjoy the play area (not without direct supervision though if they are under 5). Only thing it the play area is rented out to group half the time so you really have to be there at the right time or you cannot use it.

A multi-functional place located inside a church, a great place to go if you have small children as there is a slide / ball area (extra cost). Nice coffees and snacks (mainly cakes). There is also a small book lending library.The local post office is also located at this site.

The bad reviews prove some people will never be happy, it's a beautiful church with a a lovely café, post office and play area. It's unique, creative, calm and wonderful.

I took my 2-year-old daughter to the café, hoping she would enjoy the play area but, alas, we did not take into account the age Nazi that guards the place.My daughter was just over 2 years old at the time (25 months old), but the age Nazi said that, since she was over 2, she had to play in the area for older kids which is absolutely unsuitable for a 2-year-old and is full of older kids, running around, just as you would expect.I pleaded with the age Nazi, to no avail. I finally ended up explaining to my daughter that since there were stupid adults enforcing stupid rules, she was not going to able to enjoy the play area.The food is mediocre.The old couches smell.