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.

Exterior | Gorsehill House, Poole

Gorsehill House, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3QJ.

We love this stylish holiday home, perfect for family gatherings and the perfect base from which to explore the wonderful county of Dorset.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Hot Tub
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Exterior | The Cow Shed, Farnham

The Cow Shed, Farnham, Dorset, DT11 8DE.

You will just adore this stylish home set in a very exclusive village with a great pub!. All on the ground floor. Open plan living space. Living area: With wood burner and Smart TV. Dining...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Exterior | The Stables, Winfrith Newburgh

The Stables, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset, DT2 8LB.

This is the perfect location to relax and watch the world go by, or enjoy exploring the stunning Dorset countryside.

  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details
Open plan living space | Little Heron - River Annexe, Christchurch

Little Heron - UK40928, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2QR.

We love this stylish holiday home thats the perfect base to explore this wonderful part of East Dorset, The New Forest and the stunning Jurassic Coastline.

  • Golf nearby
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details
Exterior | Upalong, West Lulworth, near Wareham

Upalong, West Lulworth, near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5RT.

Located within walking distance of the famous Lulworth cove, this is the perfect property from which to explore the stunning Jurassic coastline. After a day exploring in the winter, come...

  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details
Exterior | The Workshop - Bedborough Farm Cottages, Wimborne

The Workshop, Wimborne, Dorset, .

We adore the rural setting of this stylish holiday home with private hot tub, yet just a short drive to the New Forest and stunning sandy beaches at Bournemouth.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Hot Tub
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

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.