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.

Country house to rent in Whitchurch Canonicorum, near Bridport with 6 bedrooms, sleeps 12. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Hot Tubs, Short Breaks All Year, Hot Tubs - Private.

Exterior | Purcombe Farmhouse, Whitchurch Canonicorum, nr. Bridport

Very comfortable

Purcombe Farmhouse , Chideock

This spacious family-size farmhouse with a hot tub, is a relaxing retreat from which to explore all the delights Dorset has to offer.

  • 3 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Hot Tubs
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Hot Tubs - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Honeymoon cottage in Salwayash, near Bridport with 1 bedroom, sleeps 2. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Open plan living/dining room/kitchen | Wren Cottage, Salwayash, nr. Bridport

Great quality

Wren Cottage, Bridport

The perfect hideaway for two. Explore the scenic coast or discover the countryside with your four-legged friend!. All on ground floor: Living room with patio doors/dining room/kitchen with...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Small luxury cottage in Raymond’s Hill, near Lyme Regis with 1 bedroom, sleeps 2. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Exterior | A Twist of Lyme, Raymond’s Hill, nr. Lyme Regis

Very comfortable

A Twist Of Lyme, Lyme Regis

With Lyme Regis just 3½ miles away, this cottage is a great base from which to explore Dorset and east Devon.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • 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.