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.

Comfortable and welcoming, thatched, detached former farmhouse | Park Farmhouse, Chideock, near Bridport

Park Farmhouse, Chideock, near Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6JB.

A spacious thatched former farmhouse suitable for large parties looking to explore the Jurassic Coast and the historic sights of Dorset.

  • 3 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Bath/Shower Seat
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Lovely single-storey barn conversion | Fossils’ End, Chickerell, near Weymouth

Fossils End, Chickerell, near Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4BG.

A rural retreat barn conversion, located close to the seaside town of Weymouth. Ideal for couples and family/friends who wish to enjoy the Dorset countryside.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Garden | The Retreat - Bradstock Cottages, Burton Bradstock, near Bridport

The Retreat - M555306, Burton Bradstock, near Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4PY.

The perfect property to spend time with friends or family, and ideally located to explore the natural wonders of The Jurassic Coast.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Sea View
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
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Living room/dining room | Coast View Apartment, Lyme Regis

Coast View Apartment, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3JY.

Holiday ’on the beach’ of the world heritage Jurassic Coast in this superb beach front apartment, nestled at the edge of Lyme Bay a stunning harbour town.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Sea View
  • Television
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Seaside
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Exterior | Cruxton Lodge, Little Cruxton, Cruxton, Dorchester

Cruxton Lodge, Little Cruxton, Cruxton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0DZ.

A super stylish holiday home set in the stunning West Dorset countryside, wonderfully furnished with a beautiful outlook that will have you wanting to return.

  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
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Living room | Middletun House, Milton Abbas

Middletun House, Milton Abbas, Dorset, DT11 0BP.

A spacious and luxurious thatched cottage nestled in the heart of a historic village in the stunning Dorset countryside. A classic English country retreat that will leave you longing to...

  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details
Exterior | Eton Cottage, Farnham

Eton Cottage, Farnham, Dorset, DT11 8DE.

Live the dream in this stunning thatched cottage set in a pretty North Dorset village that offers so much charm and character.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Living room | Tarrant Valley HouseSleeps 14, Blandford Forum

Tarrant Valley House - Sleeps 14, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8BY.

Elegant self-catering Dorset holiday farmhouse for up to 14 guests on a working farm. With indoor swimming pool and sauna facilities, this is the perfect family retreat for a luxury getaway.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Shared
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
View Property Details
Exterior | Tarrant Valley HouseSleeps 12, Blandford Forum

Tarrant Valley House - Sleeps 12, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8BY.

Elegant self-catering Dorset holiday farmhouse for up to 12 guests on a working farm. With indoor swimming pool and sauna facilities, this is the perfect family retreat for a luxury getaway.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Shared
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
View Property Details
Swimming pool | Tarrant Valley HouseSleeps 16, Blandford Forum

Tarrant Valley House - Sleeps 16, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8BY.

Elegant self-catering Dorset holiday farmhouse for up to 16 guests on a working farm. With indoor swimming pool and sauna facilities, this is the perfect family retreat for a luxury getaway.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Shared
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
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.