Holiday Cottages & Homes in Dorset

The Jurassic Coast

If you only do one thing during your holiday in Dorset then make it the Jurassic Coast, which is 152 kilometers of absolutely stunning coastline. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was England’s first natural wonder to be given the title, and features beautiful beaches, rock formations and limestone cliffs. Take your family and spend the day walking in an area that has been 185 million years in the making.

Walking holidays

Walking is a popular pastime in Dorset, with a wide range of trails available for all levels of fitness. Some 700 footpaths guide you over cliffs, down narrow country trails, through woods and over the county’s famous rolling hills. Staying in a holiday cottage in the countryside is the perfect way to start your adventure through Dorset's beautiful landscapes.

Museums and literary history

Dorset is a relaxing, beautiful place that attracts many nature lovers, but it’s not just the outdoors that brings people to the county. There are also unique museums and beautiful period homes to keep you entertained during your stay in Dorset.

Literature lovers can visit the birthplace of Thomas Hardy, as well as the cottage that he would later design and live in as an adult. Then there’s the Kingston Lacy House, an elegant estate from the mid 17th century that looks like it’s straight out of Downton Abbey. If horticulture is more your thing then visit Mapperton House and Gardens or Knoll Gardens, two of the best gardens in the country.

The Tank Museum

For something completely different, stop by the Tank Museum, a journey through 100 years of military history that includes interactive displays, exhibitions and, of course, tanks.

Dorset's coastline is 142km long, stretching from Highcliffe in the east to Lyme Regis in the west - so there are no shortage of cottages to rent near the sea. If you're looking for the traditional British seaside experience, consider an apartment or cottage in a town on the coast. Cottages in more rural locations offer complete relaxation and tranquility.

Weymouth Weymouth is one of Dorset's most famous coastal towns. It is perhaps best known for its long, sandy beach and causeway leading out into the English Channel and the lighthouse at Portland Bill. Weymouth is the quintessential seaside resort with brightly-coloured beach huts, elegant gardens, and great options for shopping and eating out too.

Lyme Regis At the western edge of the county is Lyme Regis which markets itself as "The Pearl of Dorset". It's one of the UK's prettiest seaside towns and throughout the year, visitors flock to the harbour, beaches, and to hunt fossils on the nearby Jurassic coast.

East and West Bexington If you're looking to escape the crowds, why not stay in the small villages of East or West Bexington? They border the shingly Chesil Beach and are close to amenities and attractions in Abbotsbury or Weymouth.

The Tank Museum

Dorset’s Tank Museum narrates more than 100 years of history. See the world’s first tank and many other weapons.

Weymouth Beach

This gently sloping beach boasts white sand and shallow waters. It has traditional English seaside attractions such as Punch and Judy puppet shows, several eateries, and a small funfair.

Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth’s beautiful coastline has an historical pier, superb views of the Isle of Wight, and a variety of water sports.

Monkey World

This rescue centre works to stop the illegal trade of apes. Visiting the centre helps support this cause, and in return, you can meet chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, and monkeys.

Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door

The World Heritage coastline at Lulworth Cove is the most stunning nature that Dorset has to offer. Just up the coastal path is Durdle Door, a massive natural rock arch on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.