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.

Living room | Yew Tree House, Chideock, near Bridport

Yew Tree House, Chideock, near Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6JW.

The perfect location for exploring this beautiful part of Dorset, with sandy beaches, picturesque harbours and coastal walks all nearby.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Open plan living space | Old School Retreat, Puddletown

Old School Retreat, Puddletown, Dorset, DT2 8RY.

You will adore this stylish and sympathetically renovated Old School conversion, the perfect village location to explore the stunning county of Dorset. The icing on the cake is the village...

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Living area | Sea Whispers Cottage, Poole

Sea Whispers Cottage, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9QG.

We adore this stylish dog friendly cottage, perfect for couples looking to explore the coast and enjoy the vibrant Penn Hill and Ashely Cross districts of Poole.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Garden | Victoria Cottage, Mudeford, near Christchurch

Victoria Cottage, Mudeford, near Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3NQ.

You are sure to simply adore this spacious cottage, beautifully furnished and set in a wonderful location at the edge of Mudeford Harbour.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Exterior | Little Hill Farm Villa, Ringwood

Little Hill Farm Villa, Ringwood, Dorset, BH24 2SB.

We love this stylish, refurbished home, beautifully furnished and perfectly located to explore the stunning county of Dorset with its impressive coastline and quintessentially English...

  • Golf nearby
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
  • Pets – not allowed
View Property Details
Interior | Cassel Sands, Bournemouth

Cassel Sands, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH4 8JN.

We adore this stylish coastal home, set in a peaceful location just a short stroll from golden sandy beaches and the vibrant suburb of Westbourne. Ground Floor:Living room 1: With wood...

  • 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
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Open plan living space | Wylye Croft, Martinstown, near Dorcester

Wylye Croft, Martinstown, near Dorcester, Dorset, DT2 9JL.

We adore this stunning home that has been lovingly designed by its current owners to make a very spacious celebration stay that’s perfect for the whole family.

  • 2 Pets welcome
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Hot Tub
  • Hot Tub - Private
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Rural Location
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Dining room | Captains Rest, Southbourne, near Bournemouth

Captain's Rest, Southbourne, near Bournemouth, Dorset, BH6 4HX.

You will love this home, perfectly located to explore Christchurch, the glorious coast and The New Forest.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Pets – no charge
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Living room | No. 1, Shaftesbury

No. 1, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8JF.

A truly gorgeous Grade II listed home in the heart of Shaftesbury, tucked away on a side street yet just a few seconds’ walk from the centre of town and the famous Gold Hill!. Ground...

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Dishwasher
  • Fuel and Power Included
  • Highchair
  • Pets – no charge
  • Stairgate
  • Television
  • WiFi
  • Bed Linen & Towels Included
  • Cot Available
  • Luxury Collection
  • Washing Machine
View Property Details
Exterior | Chestnut House, Wareham

Chestnut House, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7QG.

A modern holiday home set in a quiet residential setting, perfect for a relaxed break or as a base from which to explore this wonderful area of Dorset.

  • 1 Pet welcome
  • Enclosed Garden/Patio
  • Golf nearby
  • Pub within 1 mile
  • Short Breaks All Year
  • 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.

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