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.

Cottage that accepts dogs in Weymouth with 2 bedrooms, sleeps 4. Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Charming holiday cottage close to Bincombe Down | Carpenters Cottage - Upwey Cottages, Weymouth

Very comfortable

Carpenters Cottage, Weymouth

There is so much to see and do near to this cottage, with beaches, National Trust properties and family attractions.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Grouped Properties
  • Rural Location
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Large cottage to rent in Blandford Forum with 7 bedrooms, sleeps 14. Pets welcome. Swimming Pool, Swimming Pool - Indoor, Swimming Pool - Shared.

Living room | Tarrant Valley HouseSleeps 14, Blandford Forum

Luxurious

Tarrant Valley House Sleeps , Blandford Forum

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
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Shared
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Rural Location
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
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Big houses to rent in West Parley, near Bournemouth with 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8. No pets allowed. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Winter Short Breaks.

Delightful living room | Serendipity, West Parley, near Bournemouth

Very comfortable

Serendipity, Bournemouth

This well-presented barn conversion has a modern country-style interior, and is ideal for families and groups looking for a holiday or short break.

  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Large house in Winterbourne Abbas, near Dorchester with 9 bedrooms, sleeps 17. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Exterior | Churchview House, Winterbourne Abbas, nr. Dorchester

Great quality

Churchview House, Dorchester

Located close to the beautiful, county town of Dorchester, Churchview House offers excellent accommodation for a large gathering of family or friends.

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