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.

Pet friendly self catering in Poole with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Well presented

Light and airy l<strong>iving/dining room/orangery</strong> | Albert Apartment, Poole

Albert Apartment, Poole, Dorset, BH12 2DB.

This pet-friendly property is family retreat. Take boat trips to local places of interest or discover the wider Dorset area.

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

Dog friendly holiday cottage in Chickerell, near Weymouth with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4 + 1 Baby. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Super

Delightful cottage near to the sea | Sunset Cottage - St Anne&rsquo;s Cottages, Chickerell, near Weymouth

Sunset Cottage, Chickerell, near Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4BG.

A perfect place from which to enjoy a seaside holiday, with beaches and coastal walking nearby.

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

Cottage with dogs allowed in Chickerell, near Weymouth with 3 bedrooms, Sleeps 6 + 1 Baby. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Well equipped

Cosy cottage with gravelled area to the front | Magnolia - St Anne&rsquo;s Cottages, Chickerell, near Weymouth

Magnolia, Chickerell, near Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4BG.

With wonderful views, this property is within easy reach of Weymouth and its attractions.

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

Cottage for hire in East Burton, near Wareham with 3 bedrooms, Sleeps 7 + 1 Baby. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Well equipped

Attractive holiday home | Keepers Cottage, East Burton, near Wareham

KEEPERS COTTAGE, East Burton, near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6EY.

A beautiful, characterful cottage dating back to the 1800s in a great location to visit the coast with friends and family.

  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details

Seaside holiday cottage in Portland, near Weymouth with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4. Pub within 1 mile, Hot Tub, Winter Short Breaks, Hot Tub - Private.

Coastal property in a stunning coastal location | The Old Boathouse, Portland, near Weymouth

The Old Boathouse, Portland, near Weymouth, Dorset, DT5 2JT.

This coastal property is in a stunning location with plenty of exploring to be done and ideal for water based activities.

  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Hot Tub
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Sea View
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details

Small holiday cottage in Raymond’s Hill, near Lyme Regis with 1 bedroom, Sleeps 2. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Great quality

Exterior | A Twist of Lyme, Raymond&rsquo;s Hill, nr. Lyme Regis

A Twist Of Lyme, Raymond&rsquo;s Hill, near Lyme Regis, Dorset, EX13 5SX.

With Lyme Regis just 3½ miles away, this cottage is a great base from which to explore Dorset and east Devon.

  • 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
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Cottage welcomes dogs in Portland, near Weymouth with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4 + 1 Baby. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Winter Short Breaks.

Exterior | Trevina, Portland, nr. Weymouth

Trevina, Portland, near Weymouth, Dorset, DT5 2BZ.

This semi-detached property is in an ideal location for watersport enthusiasts or those who wish to stroll along the beach.

  • 3 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Stairgate
  • 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.