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 in Broadstone, near Bournemouth with 1 bedroom, sleeps 4. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Delightful single storey holiday home | Jasper, Broadstone, near Bournemouth

Great quality

Jasper, Poole

Just a 10-minute drive from miles of sandy beaches at the popular Dorset resort of Bournemouth with an abundance of sights and activities for all.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
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Large cottage in Plush, near Piddletrenthide with 7 bedrooms, sleeps 18. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Hot Tubs, Short Breaks All Year, Hot Tubs - Private.

Exterior | Armswell House, Plush, nr. Piddletrenthide

Well presented

Armswell House, Dorchester

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

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Hot Tubs
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Hot Tubs - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Cottage near the beach in Chickerell, near Weymouth with 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Winter Short Breaks.

Harbourhill, Chickerell, nr. Weymouth

Very comfortable

Harbour Hill, Weymouth

Harbourhill is four miles from Weymouth and its sandy beach so guests can pack a picnic and spend the whole day there! . Ground floor:Living room: With open fire, DVD player, stereo with CD...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Large cottage in Chideock, near Bridport with 9 bedrooms, sleeps 18. Pets welcome. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year, Swimming Pool, Swimming Pool - Indoor, Swimming Pool - Private.

Comfortable and welcoming, thatched, detached property | Park Farmhouse, Chideock, near Bridport

Well presented

Park Farmhouse, Chideock

A spacious thatched former farmhouse suitable for large parties looking to explore the Jurassic Coast and the historic sights of Dorset.

  • 3 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Pool - Indoor
  • Swimming Pool - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
  • Bath/Shower Seat
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Vacation rental in Misterton, near Crewkerne with 3 bedrooms, sleeps 5. Pub within 1 mile, Winter Short Breaks.

Nantucket House, Misterton, nr. Crewkerne

Good choice!

Nantucket House, Beaminster

This well-presented holiday home enjoys the views and the peace and quiet of the countryside but is within an easy drive of the Heritage Jurassic coast and boasts numerous historic places to...

  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Winter Short Breaks
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Rural Location
  • 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.