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 | Old Milking Parlour, Osmington, near Weymouth

Old Milking Parlour, Osmington, near Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 6EW.

Set on a farm outside the picture postcard village of Osmington, just a mile from the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic coastline of Dorset.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Exterior | Armswell House, Plush, near Piddletrenthide

Armswell House, Plush, near Piddletrenthide, Dorset, DT2 7RN.

Discover Dorset’s stunning countryside and coast from this cosy 18th century farmhouse with its own hot tub.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Hot Tub
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Swimming pool | Coombehayes Barn, Uplyme, near Lyme Regis

Coombehayes Barn, Uplyme, near Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3SU.

Super warm, private indoor pool at the heart of this beautifully appointed, spacious property, sleeping up to 12 guests on the Jurassic Coast.

  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
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Characterful stone-built cottage | Churchill Cottage - Round Chimneys Farm, Glanvilles Wootton, near Sherborne

CHURCHILL COTTAGE, Glanvilles Wootton, near Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5QQ.

Churchill Cottage is full of character and is situated amongst 300 acres of a working farm - it’s a true rural retreat.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Exterior and large private garden | Coach House, Wareham

Coach House, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4RF.

Enjoy the shared, outdoor heated swimming pool open from May (weather dependant) at this lovely detached coach house with the Dorset coast nearby.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Outdoor
  • Swimming Pool - Shared
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Exterior | Grange Farm Cottages - Kingfisher Cottage, Oborne, nr. Sherborne

KINGFISHER COTTAGE, Oborne, near Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4LA.

Ideal for a family, Kingfisher Cottage has shared use to a tennis court which is great for burning off some energy! . Step to entrance. All on the ground floor. Wooden floors throughout....

  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details
Exterior | Tranquillity Cottage, Winfrith Newburgh

Tranquillity Cottage, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset, DT2 8JW.

This pet friendly thatched cottage is just 3 miles from Lulworth Cove and the spectacular rock formation of Durdle Door.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • 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.