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.

Large cottage to rent in Acton, near Langton Matravers with 7 bedrooms, Sleeps 14 + 1 Baby. Pets welcome. Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Good choice!

Spacious living room with open fire | Fernlea, Acton, near Langton Matravers

Fernlea, Acton, near Langton Matravers, Dorset, BH19 3JT.

Each of the 7 bedrooms boasts en-suite bathroom facilities, a Smart television and hair dryer, making it ideal for large family groups holidaying together.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Cottage in Uploders, near Bridport with 3 bedrooms, Sleeps 6 + 1 Baby. Golf nearby, Winter Short Breaks, Swimming Pool, Swimming Pool - Indoor, Swimming Pool - Private.

Very comfortable

Delightful, converted barn | The Old Piggeries, Uploders, near Bridport

The Old Piggeries, Uploders, near Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4PQ.

Boasting a heated indoor swimming pool and en-suite facilities to all bedrooms, this converted barn is comfortable and well-equipped.

  • Golf nearby
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details

Large holiday let in Uploders, Bridport with 5 bedrooms, Sleeps 10 + 1 Baby. No pets allowed. Golf nearby, Winter Short Breaks, Swimming Pool, Swimming Pool - Indoor, Swimming Pool - Private.

Super

Exterior | The Retreat, Uploders, Bridport

The Retreat, Uploders, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4PQ.

With a games room and a heated indoor swimming pool, this Grade ll listed thatched barn conversion is surrounded by lovely countryside.

  • Golf nearby
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details

Dog friendly weekend break in North Chideock, near Bridport with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4 + 1 Baby. Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Very comfortable

Exterior | Barters Cottage, Chideock, nr. Bridport

Barters Cottage, North Chideock, near Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6LF.

Set in a beautiful garden and with a cosy open fire, this attractively furnished cottage is just a mile from the sea.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Cheap dog friendly holiday in Bettiscombe, near Lyme Regis with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4 + 1 Baby. Short Breaks All Year.

Very comfortable

Comfortable living room | The Old Stable - Marshwood Manor Cottages, Bettiscombe, near Lyme Regis

The Old Stable - DEY, Bettiscombe, near Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT6 5NS.

This property is great for those looking for a quiet holiday home in the countryside. The beaches are also five miles away! . Ground Floor:Living room: With electric coal-effect fire,...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Cottage for a couple in Cerne Abbas with 1 bedroom, Sleeps 2. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Super

Wonderful historic property set in the Cerne Abbey grounds | Cerne Abbey Cottage, Cerne Abbas

Cerne Abbey Cottage, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, DT2 7JQ.

A pet friendly property ideal for couples and is part of the historic buildings of Cerne Abbey, formed as a Benedictine House in 987 AD.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen Included
View Property Details

Cheap large holiday home in Litton Cheney, near Dorchester with 9 bedrooms, Sleeps 19 + 1 Baby. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Well presented

Exterior | The Old Tithe Barn, Litton Cheney, nr. Dorchester

The Old Tithe Barn - DCCD, Litton Cheney, near Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9AP.

With 9 en-suite bedrooms, each with TV, this Grade ll, 13th century detached stone tithe barn is ideal for touring and 2 miles from Chesil Beach.

  • 3 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • 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.