Dorset, in the south west of the United Kingdom, is famed for its beauty; from undulating countryside to the Jurassic Coast which has attained World Heritage Site status. The county of Dorset is mainly rural, but the amazing coastline affords family-friendly sandy beaches, making the area the ideal holiday destination. It's an area of historical and archaeological importance with human settlements dating back as far as the Mesolithic hunters of 8000 BC. Dorset is also famous for its literary and artistic links, being the native county of Thomas Hardy, with more recent notable residents such as Tim Berners-Lee - the inventor of the Internet - and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall - who records many of his cookery programmes from his home outside Bridport.
Dorset makes the ideal destination for a relaxing holiday, wandering through the breathtaking country side, exploring the archaeology or lazing on the beaches. With warm Summers and mild Winters it's a part of the UK that's popular with holidaymakers throughout the year. The stunning coastline of Dorset begins in the east at Poole Harbour, then stretches west towards Weymouth and Bridport.
Things to do in Dorset With such a rich heritage and beautiful scenery you're never at a loss for something to do in Dorset. You can go walking through the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase, with its deer, wild flowers and butterflies. The world-renowned coastline obviously makes for a great day out, with Purbeck being home to an area of outstanding natural beauty. Chesil Beach provides seventeen miles of shingle beach, which reach amazing heights. There are also more family-orientated beaches dotted along the coastline, such as Lyme Regis, Sandbanks with its lofty property prices, and Bournemouth.
If you're more interested in history then the Jurassic Coast provides a fossil and geological record that has made it a World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you could plan a day out to the historic house at Sherborne Castle, which was built in the late 16th Century by Sir Walter Raleigh. The Castle has 30 acres of lakeside gardens and is one of the finest examples of landscaping by 'Capability' Brown you will see. Any note of historical Dorset would not be complete without mention of the Cerne Abbas Giant, cut into the chalk downs and overlooking the village of Cerne Abbas with its Abbey ruins.
Top Destinations
Lulworth Cove is one of the finest examples of its type in the world, attracting more than a million visitors each year. The cove itself is a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay, with the nearby Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch making it a worthwhile place to visit.
Bournemouth is the largest tourist destination within Dorset. It's a traditional English holiday town with miles of Sandy beaches, restaurants, shops and cafés.
Weymouth is another traditional tourist destination made popular by King George III. Famous for its donkey rides, Weymouth Bay and its Georgian Esplanade, Weymouth has everything a tourist needs.
Lyme Regis at the western end of Dorset is noted for its local fossil finds, family-friendly beaches and the Cobb, a historically important harbour wall used in the filming of 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'.
With such a great opportunity on your doorstep, our Dorset holiday cottages will make the perfect base for a wonderful holiday.
.red Lion Cottage, 2 West Road, West Lulworth, Lulworth Cove, Dorset
The Red Lion Cottage dates back 400 years. Originally it was 'The Red Lion Inn' & served it's own ale to King George III in 1802.
It has recently been refurbished to a luxury standard yet retaining many of it's original ...
Laverstock is a beautiful private estate within a working farm comprising of a country house, two cottages, three flats and a studio.
Laverstock is nestled in the Marshwood Vale at the foot of Lewesdon Hill and Pilsdon ...
Bankhayes, Smiths Lane, Piddletrenthide, Nr Dorchester, Dorset
Bankhayes is a detached cottage on the River Piddle in the heart of Hardy's Wessex (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). It is an eighteenth century farmhouse in Piddletrenthide with a large garden with barbeque ...
Nestling peacefully in a rural location, on the edge of Dorset border, this detached, stone faced holiday cottage is well placed to explore coast and countryside. Sympathetically renovated to retain many 19th-century ...
This detached, converted coach house, adjacent to the owner?s home, is set in a private valley and working farm and offers a wonderful holiday location in which to unwind. The property is 7 miles from the famous World ...
This semi-detached 17th-century listed farmhouse situated on a livestock farm with emphasis on conservation and is also the home of the well known herd of pedigree English Longhorn Cattle. Built in 1640 now completely ...
Ideal touring base In a village setting, this refurbished and tastefully furnished, Grade II listed thatched end-terrace dates from 1700. A mix of quarry tiled, flagstone and wooden floors enhance its cosy appeal, and ...
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.red Lion Cottage, 2 West Road, West Lulworth, Lulworth Cove, Dorset
The Red Lion Cottage dates back 400 years. Originally it was 'The Red Lion Inn' & served it's own ale to King George III in 1802.
It has recently been refurbished to a luxury standard yet retaining many of it's original ...
Set in the quiet Dorset village of Bradpole, this well presented cottage offers a good holiday base for exploring the area. Nearby are the harbour and beach at West Bay, part of the World Heritage Coastline. An easy drive ...
Excellent location In the fishing port and popular seaside resort of West Bay near Bridport on the famous Chesil Beach and World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, this third floor holiday apartment (with lift), has been ...
Ideal base to explore In the fishing port and popular seaside resort of West Bay near Bridport on the famous Chesil Beach and World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, this third floor holiday apartment (with lift), has been ...
Close to beaches and the New ForestSituated in a cul-de-sac in a small development on the edge of Christchurch is this well appointed terrace house. This house is conveniently located close to local amenities and is only ...
These delightful holiday cottages are set in the peaceful conservation village of Puncknowle, an AONB. The Jurassic Coast is just 1½ miles away with superb scenic walking, along with use of 4 acres of grounds and ...
'Greenwood Grange offers the ideal holiday combination - premium quality accommodation, fine facilities all within a family-run friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and it has achieved a Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver ...
In the small village of Walditch, in an AONB, 2.5 miles from the quaint fishing port of West Bay on the famous scenic World Heritage Jurassic Coast and Chesil Beach, and 1 mile from the market town of Bridport, this well ...
Bankhayes, Smiths Lane, Piddletrenthide, Nr Dorchester, Dorset
Bankhayes is a detached cottage on the River Piddle in the heart of Hardy's Wessex (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). It is an eighteenth century farmhouse in Piddletrenthide with a large garden with barbeque ...
Situated on the edge of Gillingham in North Dorset, close to the Wiltshire/Somerset border, these two detached converted barns (refs 27736 and 27737), both for four and which can be booked independently or together, offer ...
Excellent base for Dorset resortsIn the small country town of Beaminster, South Dorset, and within easy driving of the popular seaside resorts of Lyme Regis and Bridport, this spacious self-contained single-storey wing of ...
Overlooking open countryside, this attractively furnished cottage stands as one of a pair in a large lawned garden about a mile from the sea. The village of Chideock (¾ mile) has a shop and friendly pubs. Three miles to ...
In the small village of Chideock in an AONB, 3/4 mile from the world famous Heritage Coast, between Lyme Regis and West Bay at Bridport and 3/4 mile from Seatown Beach, this well presented upside-down holiday cottage is ...
In the heart of the popular seaside resort of Lyme Regis, with its sandy beach, picturesque harbour and Cobb (setting for the film ?The French Lieutenant?s Woman?) and on the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast, these two ...
In a great location between Chideock village and the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, with country views, this charming, terraced holiday cottage is excellent for walking the coastal path at Seatown with its spectacular ...
This semi detached holiday cottage, quietly located in the village of Drimpton, has a real cottage feel to it with an open fire and Rayburn. This is a walkers paradise with many footpaths, and within a short drive you can ...
In a fine location in the scenic Marshwood Vale, midway between the popular and picturesque seaside resort of Lyme Regis and Bridport, on the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast and only 3 miles from the quaint seaside ...
This Grade II thatched holiday cottage with beams, ornamental inglenook fireplace and flagstone floors is set in the heart of the popular village of Burton Bradstock, 3/4 mile from the beautiful Chesil Beach and famous ...
In the heart of the beautiful Dorset countryside, this pretty beamed cottage displays much character and has been furnished to provide very comfortable accommodation. One of a row, it is set on the main village road in the ...
Set in the small village of Bothenhampton in an AONB, on the outskirts of Bridport and 1.5 miles from the popular seaside resort of Westbay, this cosy holiday cottage is ideally located to explore the famous World ...
Panoramic country viewsThis super, detached, single storey holiday property with two steps leading up to it, is situated in a large enclosed garden, on the Devon/Dorset border. This property provides the perfect setting ...
Set in the heart of Hardy country, this comfortable property has its own garden and patio, and enjoys panoramic views to the sea. Thoughtfully converted from a mellow stone barn, and adjoining a similar property, it has ...
Set in the unspoilt village of Bothenhampton about a mile from Bridport and the new harbour of West Bay and its beaches. The historic rope-making town of Bridport with its twice weekly market is a gateway town to the ...
Set in the pretty, rural village of Horton, this holiday cottage forms part of the owner?s home, but has its own entrance, garden area and drive. Horton has a famous tower which was used in the Thomas Hardy film ?Far From ...
'Set in glorious countryside... not far from the Jurassic Coast' Lancombe Country Cottages are set in three acres of glorious Thomas Hardy country, in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in west Dorset, ...
Character barn This charming 17th century barn has been tastefully refurbished to retain much of its original character with low beams, exposed roof timbers and wood burning stove. Set in beautiful West Dorset ...
'The places Hardy roamed as a boy, and later enshrined as rustic Wessex . . .' Lying in the picturesque Piddle Valley in West Dorset are the twelve acres of glorious rolling countryside in which these holiday cottages are ...
This comfortable cottage with a wealth of character is just 100 yards walk to the stunning Chesil beach. From the cottage you can also enjoy the miles of coastal and inland footpaths which surround the area. The pub which ...
Set in the heart of the seaside town of Swanage with a level walk to the shops and beach, this holiday apartment has been finished to a good standard and offers good comfortable accommodation. Swanage has much to offer ...
Set in a quiet and rural location, Hope Barn has been converted to provide very comfortable holiday accommodation. The acre of shared garden has two large ponds where you can sit and relax or stroll along the owner?s ...
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