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.

Dog friendly holiday cottage in Bothenhampton, near Bridport with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 3. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Winter Short Breaks.

Good choice!

Old Church

Buzzards - 8235, Bothenhampton, near Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4BP.

First floor accommodation boasting a 5ft wide four poster bed and views over the Dorset Downs.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Last minute dog friendly short break in Bothenhampton, near Bridport with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 3. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Winter Short Breaks.

Good choice!

Garden | Sweet Briar - Briarwood, Bothenhampton, near Bridport

Sweet Briar - 8234, Bothenhampton, near Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4BP.

Set in an AONB perfect for a relaxing holiday and also for walking and spotting wildlife in abundance in this area.

  • 3 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Cottage welcomes dogs in Middlemarsh, near Sherborne with 3 bedrooms, Sleeps 6 + 1 Baby. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Super

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

Otters Holt, Middlemarsh, near Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5QN.

A great base for a family holiday, with museums, beaches and seaside resorts to keep all ages entertained!. 3 steps to entrance (ramp access to rear). All on the ground floor. Open plan...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Romantic break in Middlemarsh, near Sherborne with 1 bedroom, Sleeps 2 + 1 Baby. Pets welcome. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Open plan living/dining room/kitchen | White Horse Farm - Badger’s, Middlemarsh, nr. Sherborne

Badger's, Middlemarsh, near Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5QN.

An ideal retreat for a couple to enjoy the delights of Dorset, including museums, beaches and coastal walks.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Honeymoon cottage in Middlemarsh, near Sherborne with 1 bedroom, Sleeps 2 + 1 Baby. Pets welcome. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

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

Moley's, Middlemarsh, near Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5QN.

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
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Cottage for two in Middlemarsh, near Sherborne with 1 bedroom, Sleeps 2 + 1 Baby. Pets welcome. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Exterior | Ratty’s - White Horse Farm, Middlemarsh, near Sherborne

Ratty's, Middlemarsh, near Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5QN.

A cosy retreat for two, this property is a great base from which to explore the beautiful county of Dorset.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Pet friendly cottage in Middlemarsh, near Sherborne with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4 + 1 Baby. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Exterior | Toad Hall - White Horse Farm, Middlemarsh, near Sherborne

Toad Hall, Middlemarsh, near Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 5QN.

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
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Pet friendly cottage in Sturminster Marshall, near Wimborne with 3 bedrooms, Sleeps 6. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Well equipped

Living room | West View, Sturminster Marshall, nr. Wimborne

West View, Sturminster Marshall, near Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3RW.

Perfectly located to tour the area’s many attractions, as well as bridleways from the door and a games room for those fun nights in!. 4 steps to entrance. All on the ground floor. Living...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets – no charge
  • 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.