A beautifully rural ceremonial county in the south west, well-known for its maritime activity, Dorset is a quintessentially English holiday spot. An area steeped in history and with wonderfully varied landscapes, Dorset is an ideal location to enjoy rest, relaxation and recreation. Dorsets' landscape comprises vast elevated chalk downs, towering limestone cliffs and low clay valleys, as well a stunning coastline and lush forests, making it a superb area for walking, hiking and cycling. Read more
The whole family will love Groom Cottage. Sleeping six people in three rooms, the single storey stone cottage is one of several superb holiday properties on Doles Ash Farm which can be hired individually or depending on availability, hired together to accommodate larger groups. Doles Ash Farm is surrounded by private gardens and fields in the Piddle Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to Dorchester, Weymouth, Bridport and the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline. Closer to home, there are miles of walks that lead from the property, although with facilities like an indoor swimming pool, games room, outdoor children's play area and animals to pet, you could quite easily spend a happy holiday without going much further than the front door.
With a ground floor en-suite bedroom and nursery with cot on the first floor, Pheasants Cottage is a perfect choice for families. Sleeping six guests in comfort and style, this beautifully presented flexible cottage sits in a superb position just a mile from Ringstead beach on Dorset's stunning World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Fabulous walking with the South West Coastal Path easily accessible, an abundance of attractions close by including Lulworth, Durdle Door, Weymouth and Poole, and a beach for lazy days. All the right ingredients for a seaside holiday. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
With world class attractions like Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door just a few miles away and incredible walking on the doorstep, this stylish contemporary holiday apartment just for two provides a superb base for relaxing and exploring. Sitting on the Isle of Purbeck, the Jurassic Coast, Poole and Wareham are all within easy reach.
Full of historic charm, this delightful thatched cottage offers everything you would hope for in a holiday retreat and is perfect for family get togethers. An excellent position just two miles from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, a very good village pub a short stroll away, access onto the South West Coastal Path, log burner, hot tub, beaches for lazy days and attractions for adventure days.
Do beach destinations get much better than this? Just four hundred yards from the natural wonder that is Chesil Beach on the Dorset World Heritage Coastline, this stylish dog-friendly seaside cottage is surrounded by National Trust land and provides the perfect getaway for you and your four legged friend. Beautifully presented, guests can enjoy stunning sea views (from the moment you open your eyes until the sun drops over the sea), lovely walks and lazy days on the beach.
Sitting in the pretty seaside village of Eype on Dorset's beautiful West Coast, Clematis Cottage is everything you could wish for in a coastal holiday cottage. With cosy yet stylish accommodation including a log burner, and garden with fabulous views, the cottage is perfect all year round and within walking distance of the village pub and beach. Coastal walks on the doorstep, along with an abundance of attractions for day trips out.
With plenty of space inside and out and a hot tub, The Quarterdeck offers more than the average holiday cottage in Swanage. The four bedrooms can sleep up to 10 guests, so it is excellent for friends and family gatherings, while the flexible layout means that it is suitable for smaller families as well. The house is on a quiet residential street only 400 metres from the beach, shops, cafes and restaurants of Swanage, with many favourite attractions of Dorset and the Jurassic Coast nearby. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Dating back to the 1800's, The Lodge House is ideally located on the Dorset Heritage Coast with access to a private peaceful beach within strolling distance. Sleeping six, this dog-friendly holiday home is perfect for exploring Devon and Dorset and is surrounded by beautiful countryside and coastline.
The perfect retreat just for two within easy reach of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door on Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coastline. Right in the heart of Purbeck, this stylish holiday home provides all the right ingredients for a relaxing break and a great base for exploring the areas many attractions.
Ideally located just a five minute walk from the lovely beaches at Christchurch Bay, this comfortable holiday home is within easy reach of Bournemouth, Poole and the New Forest. Perfect for a holiday relaxing by the sea or exploring the forest and the many attractions of both Dorset and Hampshire.
Oozing historic character, this chocolate box pretty thatched cottage enjoys an enviable position just slightly inland from Dorset's glorious coast, two miles from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Guests can access the coastal path from the cottage, have an excellent village pub in strolling distance and have lovely beaches for lazy days, as well as an abundance of attractions. All the right ingredients for the perfect holiday!
Sitting right in the heart of the Victorian seaside resort of Swanage on Dorset's stunning Jurassic Coast, this first floor holiday apartment is perfect for those wanting a break by the sea with an abundance of attractions, pubs, restaurants and shops on the doorstep. Opposite the railway station (great for steam train enthusiasts) and three minutes from the beach, there is plenty to keep those with or without a car happy on holiday.
Rudge Farm sits in a peaceful corner of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering ten comfortable self-catering cottages that sleep between two and six people. Guests at Gardeners Cottage can enjoy on-site facilities that include woodland walks, a fishing lake, an all-weather tennis court, children's adventure playground and indoor games room. The Crown Inn in Punckowle is within walking distance, Bridport is only a few miles away, and the Jurassic Coast and beautiful beaches like Hive Beach and West Bay are within easy reach.
This cosy cottage offers a welcome countryside respite for couples on a private 20-acre farm. Wake in the morning to views of a beautiful meadow, enjoy woodland walks and fishing or rowing in the private lakes. Pigsty cottage is one of ten self-catering properties at Rudge Farm, five miles from Bridport and within walking distance of the Crown Inn at Puncknowle, offering easy access to the Jurassic Coast and favourite places like Hive Beach and West Bay.
Sitting quietly in the peaceful village of Bloxworth, Old Kilns is a deceptively spacious holiday home that is ideal for families with older children and groups of friends who want to see the best Dorset has to offer. Bloxworth is convenient for the Jurassic Coast, beaches like Weymouth and Studland Bay, and the Purbeck Heritage Coast, but it is also close to wonderful towns including Poole, Dorchester and Blandford Forum. Walk along the coastal footpath past Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, or take the kids to one of Dorset’s top attractions like Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World. Old Kilns is in the centre of it all, providing a restful haven at the end of a fun-filled day.
A comfy choice for families or couples, Glebe Cottage is in Bloxworth and convenient for beautiful Dorset beaches including Poole, Weymouth, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Swanage, Bournemouth, Studland, the Purbeck Heritage Coast and the Jurassic Coast. The cottage is also handy for Dorset attractions like the Bovington Tank Museum, Monkey World and many lovely National Trust properties.
Offering the perfect blend of rustic charm, cosiness with log burner and modern day conveniences to ensure a high standard of comfort, Barn Cottage sits on the outskirts of Alderholt in Dorset. A pretty village with pub for meals out, a mill serving cream teas at the weekend, and a shop for forgotten provisions, Alderholt is just three miles from the county town of Fordingbridge and a five minute car ride into the New Forest National Park with an abundance of forest tracks to satisfy the keenest of walkers, cyclists and horse riders. A perfect base for exploring both Dorset and Hampshire including the Forest and South Coast.
A stylish luxurious holiday cottage just for two sitting in a superb position in the village of Morcombelake on the Jurassic Coast Dorset. An excellent choice for couples who enjoy walking with the South West Coastal Path nearby, and who want to discover the beauty of Dorset.
A detached 4* cottage, two bedrooms both en-suite with ground level accommodation, maintained to a high standard. Superb location with rural aspect on the border of the New Forest / East Dorset, 4 miles from Ringwood, ideal for coast and countryside. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
A detached, two bedroom, beautifully maintained 5* cottage with ground level accommodation, en-suite and family bathroom. Situated on the border of the New Forest / East Dorset, with rural views and a wealth of local country and coastal pursuits for every age and interest. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
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More than half of Dorset has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and three quarters of the coastline has been designated a World Heritage Site. There are many well-known scenic spots along the coast that are worth a visit, such as Lulworth Cove, the Isle of Portland and Durdle Door. Alternatively, enjoy some seaside fun and visit the popular coastal towns of Weymouth, Lyme Regis and cosmopolitan Bournemouth.
A history that stretches back to the Neolithic era, Dorset is a fascinating place for those interested in exploring the intriguing backstories of Viking raids, Roman invasions and Saxon conquests. There are many well-preserved historic sites in the area, such as Lulworth Castle and Park, built in 1608; Sherborne Abbey, the 'Cathedral of Dorset' dating back to 705AD and the 1000 year old Corfe Castle – one of the most famous landmarks Dorset has that now stands as an iconic eerie ruin.
A great holiday spot for children, there are plenty of exciting attractions to keep younger visitors amused and entertained, such as the internationally acclaimed Monkey World – an important rescue centre where you can meet the apes and Honeybrook Farm. There are also a variety of water sports thanks to the maritime background of the area.
Of course, a trip to Dorset would not be complete without fossil hunting along The Jurassic Coast and following in the footsteps of dinosaurs - England's first natural World Heritage Site and one of the wonders of the natural world rated up there alongside the Grand Canyon!
A superbly scenic location makes Dorset a great choice for a UK holiday to suit all tastes and ages.
