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 cottage in Watton, near Bridport with 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Exterior | The Cider Press, Watton, nr. Bridport

Very comfortable

The Cider Press, Bridport

An ’upside down’ family barn conversion with traditional features, in the hamlet of Watton near the beach, Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis and Weymouth.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Dog friendly holiday cottage in Middlemarsh, near Sherborne with 2 bedrooms, sleeps 4. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Exterior | White Horse Farm - Toad Hall, Middlemarsh, nr. Sherborne

Toad Hall, Sherborne

History enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with attractions nearby, including the Tutankhamun Exhibition and the Terracotta Warriors Museum.

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

Romantic holiday cottage in Middlemarsh, near Sherborne with 1 bedroom, sleeps 2. Pets welcome. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Exterior | White Horse Farm - Moley’s, Middlemarsh, nr. Sherborne

Moley's, Sherborne

Explore the many museums within easy reach of this property, including Haynes Motor Museum and Keep Military Museum.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Grouped Properties
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • 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.