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.

Luxury cottage for two in Beaminster with 1 bedroom, Sleeps 2. No pets allowed. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Very comfortable

Charming holiday home | Linnets, Beaminster

Linnets, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3FH.

A good central location for discovering all that Dorset has to offer, from the Jurassic Coast and beaches to picturesque walks and towns.

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

Pet friendly cottage in Wimborne with 4 bedrooms, Sleeps 7 + 1 Baby. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Super

Lovely holiday home | Oakdene Lodge, Wimborne

Oakdene Lodge, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 6RA.

Ideal for couples or families who want to explore Dorset and further afield, Oakdene Lodge makes the perfect base.

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

English country cottage in Wool, near Wareham with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 4. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Well presented

Immaculately presented holiday home | Swallows’ Nest, Wool, near Wareham

Swallows Nest, Wool, near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6HL.

Swallows’ Nest is ideally located with beautiful countryside views and within easy reach of the Purbeck Heritage Coast.

  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details

Cottage welcomes dogs in Broadstone, near Bournemouth with 1 bedroom, Sleeps 4 + 1 Baby. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Well presented

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

Jasper, Broadstone, near Bournemouth, Dorset, BH18 8HD.

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

Large group accommodation in Blandford with 8 bedrooms, Sleeps 16 + 1 Baby. Pets welcome. Golf nearby, Hot Tub, Short Breaks All Year, Hot Tub - Private.

Super

Rear lawned garden and swimming pool | Downwood Vineyard, Blandford

Downwood Vinyard, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 9HN.

Wonderfully spacious, boasting enough room for the whole family, Downwood Vinyard offers an ideal location for friends and family to get together.

  • 3 Pets welcome
  • Golf nearby
  • Hot Tub
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details

Dog friendly holiday cottage in Drimpton, near Beaminster with 3 bedrooms, Sleeps 5. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Good choice!

Wonderful converted barn | The Old Engine House, Drimpton, near Beaminster

The Old Engine House, Drimpton, near Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3RF.

A converted barn in a great location in a quiet village, ideal for exploring west Dorset and the surrounding counties with plenty of attractions for all ages.

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

Large self-catering accommodation in Marnhull, near Shaftesbury with 6 bedrooms, Sleeps 12 + 1 Baby. Pets welcome. Pub within 1 mile, Hot Tub, Short Breaks All Year, Hot Tub - Private.

Luxurious

Exterior | New Inn Farmhouse - The New Inn Farm, Marnhull, near Shaftesbury

New Inn Farmhouse, Marnhull, near Shaftesbury, Dorset, DT10 1LN.

With a private hot tub, large meadow, beautiful interior and the option for in-house catering, this fantastic property is the perfect choice for your holiday.

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

Cottage that accepts dogs in Charmouth with 2 bedrooms, Sleeps 3. Enclosed Garden/Patio, Golf nearby, Pub within 1 mile, Short Breaks All Year.

Delightful, large holiday property | Apple Tree Cottage, Charmouth

Apple Tree Cottage, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6QE.

With lovely coastal walks taking in Golden Cap, the highest point in the south of England, and to Seaton with its bars and restaurants.

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