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.

Living room | Samphire Cottage, Lyme Regis

Samphire Cottage, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3DA.

We just adore this charming holiday home, perfectly positioned by the coast and ideal for friends or families to enjoy time away together.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
  • Seaside
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Living room | Violet Bay, Weymouth

Violet Bay, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8JZ.

This stunning refurbished terraced house is the perfect location to explore Dorset’s Countryside and coastline.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Seaside
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Hot tub | Belvedere, Wimborne

Belvedere, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3HG.

This modern stylish home has stunning rural views, the perfect holiday home to explore the Dorset coast and the historic town of Wimborne.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Hot Tub
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Swimming pool | Kingfishers, Christchurch

Kingfishers, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1JJ.

We just adore the riverside setting of this stylish home, a short stroll from the charming town of Christchurch.

  • Golf nearby
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Outdoor
  • Swimming Pool - Shared
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
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Living area | The Lodge, Cheselbourne, near Dorchester

The Lodge, Cheselbourne, near Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7NT.

A stunning location, away from the busy day life is waiting for you here at The Lodge. Enjoy an evening in the hot tub or a day exploring.

  • Golf nearby
  • Hot Tub
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
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.