Gould's Farmhouse, Milborne St Andrew, Blandford, Dorset, England - Sleeps 8

About Gould's Farmhouse

Gould’s Farmhouse is everything you want in a holiday home in Dorset. To start with, it is large, comfortably accommodating up to 8 adults in four bedrooms, so it is great for big families or groups traveling together. It offers a superb standard of comfort with the owner having taken great care to ensure guests have everything they need. It is also a fantastic location on the fringes of the peaceful village of Milborne St Andrew, just a gentle stroll from an excellent pub, The Royal Oak, and within easy reach of top Dorset attractions including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, Dorchester, Bovington Tank Museum, Monkey World and the South West Coast Path.

Milborne St Andrew is small and friendly. As well as the pub, there is a post office, village shop and school. It is surrounded by gorgeous countryside halfway between Dorchester and Blandford Forum, taking around 15 minutes to drive to each. Dorchester is Dorset’s county town and has a good choice of shops and other amenities. This part of the world is known for its cream teas, but coffee aficionados can get their fix at FINCA, which serves arguably the best coffee in the south west. Blandford Forum (usually just called Blandford) is a vibrant market town with lots of fun attractions including a fashion museum, a brewery and a signals museum - something for everyone!

Dorchester is well-known in literary circles as being the hometown of one of Britain’s best-loved writers, Thomas Hardy. Hardy’s cottage, where he was born and lived for most of his life, is a ten-minute drive from Gould’s Farmhouse. Thorncombe Wood is behind Hardy's cottage and is a lovely place for a peaceful walk, and there is also a discovery trail through the cottage gardens. You may also want to visit Max Gate, just outside the centre of Dorchester. Hardy designed this house, and lived and worked here during his later years.

There are some spectacular views to be seen from the many beautiful walks in Dorset. Save the walk to the Hardy Monument, which commemorates Vice Admiral Hardy who fought with Lord Nelson, for a clear day when you can see across five counties. The tower is managed by the National Trust and has 200 steps to the top if you’re feeling particularly energetic. Tackle some stretches of the South West Coast Path, and you won’t be disappointed. The World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast extends for 95 miles between Exmouth and Old Harry Rocks near Swanage, offering countless choices of footpaths and bridleways. It is an exhilarating way to experience the natural beauty that makes Dorset a favourite holiday destination for so many people. Cyclists aren’t overlooked either, as there are some exceptional trails that will leave you breathless.

The magnificence of the Dorset coast is justifiably famous. There are no words to describe what it is like to see Durdle Door for the first time, whether you view it from the shore, or from the water as part of a coasteering activity. Weymouth is everything a great seaside resort town should be with Punch and Judy shows in the summer and lots of places selling paper wrapped, steaming hot fish and chips. Staying in such a central location means it is as easy to access the west Dorset coast as it is to go east to Poole and Bournemouth, or south to Lulworth Cove.

Dorset is a wonderful holiday destination at any time of year, and Gould’s Farmhouse is the perfect house to stay while you are there.