Independent Cottages Logo

No Booking Fees

Verified Owners

Unique Offers

 Group bookings available This property is one of 2 properties which, when rented together, can accommodate up to 8 guests

Ex Officio

Ex Officio View all 21 images

7 Nights See prices

  • £615  to  £1500

Availability View full calendar

Short Breaks From

  • £ Enquire
    Off peak
    (3 night min)
  • £ Enquire
    Peak season
    (5 night min)

Next OfferMore offers

£700 Sat, 27 Apr 2024
7 nights - Save £100 - 3or 4 nights available

Key Information

  • Sleeps

    6

  • Bedrooms

    3 Rooms

  • Min Nights

    5 (peak)
    3 (off peak)

  • Children

    Yes

  • WiFi

    Yes

  • Dogs

    Yes
    2 Dogs

  • Bathrooms

    2

  • Access
    G

    Ground floor
    Living

  • Beach Nearby

About Ex Officio

Ex Officio is a welcoming and comfortable holiday cottage close to the Jurassic Coast and within walking distance of the coastal footpath. The solid brick and stone exterior hides a fresh interior thanks to a sympathetic conversion and its modern country-style decor. The cottage sleeps up to six people in three bedrooms, two of which are on the ground floor. The layout is perfect for families but also ideal for couples who appreciate extra space. The friendly Sailor's Return thatched pub in Chaldon Herring is a short stroll from the door. It serves a variety of local ales and home-cooked meals. See their website for further details.

Chaldon Herring is a pretty hamlet in a peaceful location within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). As well as its traditional village pub, the village boasts a church dating from the 1400s, Bronze Age barrows and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Although it feels rural and remote, it is only a 20-minute drive from the lively seaside resort town of Weymouth, and 15-minutes from the market town of Dorchester. Even closer is the village of Winfrith Newburgh, a mile or so from the cottage, where there is an award-winning village shop.

Dorset is a fantastic choice for a holiday at any time of the year and staying at Ex Officio means that you are always close to a fun activity or an unforgettable view. A leisurely 45-minute walk along the coast will take you to Durdle Door, while another 20 minutes will see you settling down with a picnic at Lulworth Cove. The coastline has tiny coves and caves leading into the cliffs, and it is no surprise that this area was a favourite with smugglers.

Other days out can feature sightseeing at Corfe Castle, Swanage or the Isle of Purbeck. Visitors can go walking or cycling along trails such as the Jubliee Trail and Lawrence Cycle Ride, or see fun attractions that include Bovington Tank Museum (check their calendar in advance for dates of their tank rides) and Monkey World. While you are out, take a detour past nearby Moreton village to see its gorgeous church and pay your respects at the grave of Lawrence of Arabia, who lived in nearby Clouds Hill.

Ex Officio is next to a smaller holiday cottage, Rex Officio, which sleeps two people. The two properties can be booked together to accommodate extended families. Please see the owner's website for more details.

Contact the owner

Owner details:

Rosemary Hodder joined Independent Cottages in August 2017


Enquire online:

Phone:

Amenities / Facilities

  • Beach Nearby
  • Off-Road Parking
  • Cot
  • Highchair
  • Pub Nearby
  • Garden/ Outside Area
  • Enclosed Garden
  • DVD Player
  • Satellite/ cable TV
  • Washing Machine
  • Microwave
  • Dish washer
  • Shower
  • Bath
  • WiFi

Location (Dorset)

Accommodation Comprises:

Ex Officio is a former booking office for a coach company, now transformed into a charming and comfortable holiday home. Although accommodation is over two levels, all of the living space as well as two bedrooms and a bathroom, are downstairs to make the cottage ideal for older guests or those with limited mobility.

Downstairs:

  • Living/dining room with two three-seater sofas and an armchair positioned so that guests can see the TV with the DVD player, settle down with a good book or even stretch out for an afternoon snooze. The cottage also has WiFi so guests can use their tablets or laptops. The solid wood dining table easily seats six people.
  • L-shaped modern kitchen with fitted units and lots of space for preparing and storing food. There is an electric oven with microwave above and gas hob set in the worktop, together with a washing machine and dishwasher for speedy cleaning up.
  • Bedroom with a double bed, bedside tables with reading lights and plenty of storage. All beds are made up ready for guests' arrival with a choice of feather or non-feather bedding.
  • Second bedroom with a full-sized (3ft-wide) single bed. A second 3ft-wide trundle bed can be pulled out to make the room either a twin or a double.
  • Family bathroom with underfloor heating, bath, walk-in shower, WC, bidet and handbasin.

Upstairs:

  • Twin bedroom with two full-sized single beds, a dressing table and a bedside table with a reading light.
  • Shower room with a shower, heated towel rack, WC and a handbasin.

Outside: The cottage has a private garden and patio with a seating area. There is off-street parking for two cars at the rear of the cottage.

Additional Information: The cottage has oil-fired central heating and WiFi throughout. All utilities, bed linen and bath towels are provided. Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome with prior agreement from the owner but should be kept out of the bedrooms. There is a dog litter bin on the village green and the field opposite is used by villagers to exercise dogs. Smoking is not permitted indoors.

Ex Officio Tariff & Supplementary Information

Season Weekly Rate Short Breaks

Sat, 6th Apr 2024 - Fri, 3rd May 2024
Changeover: Saturday, Min Nights: 7

7 Nights
£800

Short breaks
not available


Sat, 4th May 2024 - Fri, 24th May 2024
Changeover: Saturday, Min Nights: 7

7 Nights
£900

Short breaks
not available


Sat, 25th May 2024 - Fri, 31st May 2024
Changeover: Saturday, Min Nights: 7

7 Nights
£946

Short breaks
not available


Sat, 1st Jun 2024 - Fri, 21st Jun 2024
Changeover: Saturday, Min Nights: 7

7 Nights
£946

Short breaks
not available


Sat, 22nd Jun 2024 - Fri, 5th Jul 2024
Changeover: Saturday, Min Nights: 7

7 Nights
£990

Short breaks
not available


Sat, 6th Jul 2024 - Fri, 19th Jul 2024
Changeover: Saturday, Min Nights: 7

7 Nights
£1,250

Short breaks
not available


Sat, 20th Jul 2024 - Fri, 30th Aug 2024
Changeover: Saturday, Min Nights: 7

7 Nights
£1,500

Short breaks
not available

Show 4 more tariffs
Bedroom Configuration:
Sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms (Ground floor: 1 Double & 1 Single with pull-out bed (not good for double)
Children:
Yes
Dogs/Pets:
2 dogs welcome
Accessibility:
Ground floor accommodation
Smoking:
No smoking
Preferred Arrival Day:
Saturday
Payment Options:
Cheque, Bank Transfer
Group Booking Details:
Please note - Ex Officio sleeps 6 people.The owner has 2 properties which, when booked together, can accommodate up to 8 guests.
Dining capacity - Up to 8 (guests can be seated together for meals).
Pricing - Contact owner for group prices.
All male groups - Please enquire with owner.
All female groups - Please enquire with owner.
Catering available - No.
Booking Conditions:
Please refer to the owner for accessibility requirements, booking terms / conditions and cancellation policy.
Help combat online fraud. Speak to the owner on our officially verified number: +44(0)1305 852205 before paying by bank transfer.
Please discuss any requirements regarding your pet(s) with the property owner.
Independent Cottages recommends that you take out holiday cancellation insurance.

Owner Area

Rosemary Hodder
Member Since August 2017

Visit the owner's website (opens in new window)

Ex Officio Noticeboard

We offer short breaks off season and at short notice: 3nights 76%; 4nights 83%; 5nights 90% and 6nights 95% of our quoted weekly rent. If the date you wanted is not available here, please take a look at our other 3-bed property Damers but note it is pet-free. 

Last Minute Offers

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 for 7 nights, £700
Save £100. 3or 4 nights available
Sat, 4 May 2024 for 7 nights, £800
Save £100. 3/4nits available
Sat, 11 May 2024 for 7 nights, £800
Save £100. 3 or 4 nts available
Sat, 18 May 2024 for 7 nights, £800
Save £100. 3 or 4 nts available

Reviews and comments from our guests

Owner's other properties

Damers Cottage

Damers Cottage

Sleeps 5 | Bedrooms 3

View property
Rex Officio

Rex Officio

Sleeps 2 | Bedrooms 1

View property

Ex Officio 18 Month Availability Calendar

  • Available
  • Unavailable
* Calendar last updated: 19th April 2024
Owner's Website

Other popular towns / villages in Dorset

BridportDorchesterLyme RegisRingwoodSwanageWeymouth