fishing village on Dorset coast

Self-catering holiday cottages in Dorset

Popular with holiday makers and home to many wonderful holiday cottages, Dorset, situated on English Channel south west coast of England has a history of habitation stretching back to Neolithic times. Most of the county’s coastline is part of the Jurassic Coast, which is a World Heritage Site, and features some superb and altogether rather famous landforms such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and the Old Harry Rocks. The county also boasts one of the highest proportions of conservation areas (190) in England, together with no fewer than 12,850 listed buildings, 1,500 Scheduled Ancient Monuments and over 30 registered parks and gardens.

It’s a county well known for annual festivals and fairs such as the Great Dorset Steam Fair (Blandford), Bournemouth Air Festival, Spirit of the Seas (Weymouth and Portland) and the Dorset County Show to name but a few of the more major ones. The county also has some of the best family attractions, so a family taking a self catering cottage holiday will certainly not run short of things to see and do – The Keep Military, Tutankhamen, Dorchester’s famous Market and the Jurassic Skyline. Also, there is plenty of “celebrity” spotting to be done where Dorset has been the star of many famous films and TV productions.

Open plan living space | Fontwood Old Stables, Winterborne Houghton

Fontwood Old Stables, Winterborne Houghton, Dorset, DT11 8LH.

Bright, airy first-floor stable conversion in Blandford Forum with spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, large bedroom, and new bathroom with bath and shower. Close to Kingston...

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
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Exterior | Willow Yurt - Walnut Farm, Beaminster

Willow Yurt - UKC6947, Beaminster, Dorset, DT6 3WB.

Holiday in this fully insulated yurt with a wood burner and stargazing roof window, set in a peaceful rural haven with stunning countryside and lake views right from your private decking.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
View Property Details
Exterior | Skylark Yurt - Walnut Farm, Beaminster

Skylark Yurt - UKC6946, Beaminster, Dorset, DT6 3WB.

Escape to a fully insulated yurt in a peaceful rural haven, with stunning lake and countryside views and your own private wood-fired hot tub for the ultimate nature retreat.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Hot Tub
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
View Property Details
Exterior | Russet Yurt - Walnut Farm, Beaminster

Russet Yurt - UKC6945, Beaminster, Dorset, DT6 3WB.

Escape to this charming two-bedroom yurt nestled in a peaceful rural haven, with tranquil lakes right on your doorstep, perfect for a relaxing nature retreat.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
View Property Details
View | Pippin Yurt - Walnut Farm, Beaminster

Pippin Yurt - UKC6944, Beaminster, Dorset, DT6 3WB.

Unwind in this cosy yurt with a superking bed and wood burner, nestled in a peaceful rural haven with lakes on your doorstep and sweeping views across the countryside.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
View Property Details
Exterior | Mistle Roundhouse - Walnut Farm, Beaminster

Mistle Roundhouse - UKC6943, Beaminster, Dorset, DT6 3WB.

Brand new for 2025, this fully insulated Roundhouse features a cosy wood burner and a spectacular stargazing roof window, set in a tranquil rural haven with breathtaking lake and countryside...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
View Property Details
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Staying in Dorset

Dorset, thanks to the slightly milder climate by British standards, is also a county well known for its fresh local produce, so either making your own tasty meals, or nipping out for a meal that someone else cooks for you in one of the many fine restaurants is simplicity itself. Perfect for self-caterers who want to sample local cuisine and have a holiday from the ktichen.

Some of the larger and well-known cities and towns in the county include Bournemouth (home to legendary comedian Tony Hancock), Poole, Weymouth, Bridport, Dorchester, Gillingham, Sherbourne and Blandford all offering their own unique perspective on life in Dorset. The largest city, Bournemouth, a coastal resort, boasts not only fine sandy beaches, but plenty of culture and history together with superb shopping. Holiday houses often get booked well in advance in Dorset - so if you wait for late availability - you risk properteis being fully booked.