High tide on Weymouth's beautiful sandy beach Explore our Collection of Dorset Holiday Cottages

Find My Favourite Dorset Holiday Cottages

A delightful selection of Dorset holiday cottages for families and friends can be found in one of England's most beautiful counties. Dorset's appeal is that it offers holidaymakers a choice of self-catering holidays by the sea or inland in wonderfully-named, idyllic and sleepy villages such as Compton Abbas, Gussage All Saints and Lytchett Matravers. Whether for a weekend break in a secluded country cottage in Beaminster or a luxury holiday home in Sherborne.  Find Dorset coast cottages for leisurely summer holidays in quaint seaside cottages from Swanage to Lyme Regis; you will fall in love with the fresh air and slow way of life in Dorset.

An elevated, contemporary house approached by a line of steps overlooks an ornamental garden.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Experience luxury cottage holidays in Sandbanks at Canford Chase. This large holiday home on the Dorset coast offers elegant accommodation for up to 8 guests. With a cinema room, garden office, and Mediterranean-inspired gardens, it's perfect for families and friends. Explore the nearby beaches and enjoy water sports, or dine at renowned restaurants like Rick Steins. Book now for an unforgettable stay!

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A semi-detached chalet bungalow with French Windows onto a patio with steps down to a flower-lined lawn.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Cuckoo Cottage is a luxurious romantic cottage in Bridport, Dorset, boasting open-plan living spaces and a delightful garden with a patio which catches the sea breeze and the views of the surrounding region. The sophisticated coastal cottage offers urban chic, light, airy spaces and elegance.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
3

The Old Barn is a charming stone-built cottage near Swanage offering stylish accommodation. Set on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset's large and pet-friendly holiday home promises tranquillity, lovely views, spacious grounds, fresh air, open-plan living and a cosy log fire.

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Exterior of a 2 storey contemporary house with wide windows, curved walls and a balcony.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Stay at Holly Wood for a dream holiday in this 5-bedroom architectural gem in Sandbanks. This exclusive retreat boasts Art-Deco elegance, a grand double-height lounge, and a cinema room for memorable self-catering holidays. The open-plan kitchen, sleek interiors, and private chef experiences redefine luxury. Annexe options cater to privacy needs. Marvel at the gallery landings, twin bedroom with an 'under the sea' mural, and a Master Suite with a private balcony. Outside, two garden areas, alfresco dining, and a fire pit add to the allure. Secure gated parking for 4 completes the experience. Your luxury Dorset holiday home with a cinema awaits.

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Behind a low stone wall and lawns stands a lighthouse tower and buildings.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

View Stopes Cottage at The Old Higher Lighthouse, an unusual Portland Bill holiday cottage with sea views near Weymouth in Dorset, offering a sensational and unique holiday home. Once the dwelling place of Marie Stopes, this converted Jurassic Coast Lighthouse sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms.

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Exterior of an eco-friendly, wooden caravan in a Dorset field.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

North End Cabin is a funky rural cabin offering couples seclusion and fresh air. It is located on North End Farm in Chideock, Dorset, and promises beautiful views and wonderful sunsets. The cabin features a wood-burning stove, cosy comfort, space for pets, a hammock, and furnished outdoor spaces.

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Exterior of a double-fronted, wisteria-clad Abbotsbury holiday cottage
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Market House, an Abbotsbury holiday home, offers a tastefully updated, spacious retreat with charming original features. This family-friendly holiday let in Dorset accommodates up to six guests, featuring a wood-burning stove, contemporary decor, and a delightful courtyard. Centrally located, it provides easy access to Abbotsbury's quintessential high street and numerous attractions, including the Subtropical Gardens and the Jurassic Coast Path. Discover the charm of this family-friendly retreat – your ideal coastal escape in Dorset.

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Exterior of a thatched holiday cottage in Dorset with a flower-filled garden.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

One of a group of Grade II-listed holiday homes tastefully restored in the peaceful hamlet of Coombe Keynes, Dorset, Odd Nod Cottage is a picturesque thatched coastal cottage amidst an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with three first-floor bedrooms and a large lawned garden.

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A single-storey Dorset holiday cottage overlooks a large lawn surrounded by a wooden fence, trees and rose bushes.
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
5

Situated amidst the splendour of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and boasting amenities suitable for all ages, Court House Farmhouse is a large holiday cottage on the edge of the Dorset village of Whitchurch Canonicorum. This a child-friendly cottage with five bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a shared games barn.

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The County offers endless opportunities for holidays, ranging from cheap weekend or mid-week breaks out of season to long, leisurely week or fortnight holidays in high summer. It's not just the tranquil charm of its quaint holiday cottages in Dorset that attracts visitors to the County - it's their location too. Dorset also offers its visitors a wide choice of lovely beaches. Find coastal cottages in Dorset from the seaside resort of Weymouth in the east along the South West Coast Path to the Regency town of Lyme Regis. There's a splendid choice of Dorset coast cottages, including Chideock, the long shingle banks of Chesil Beach (taking in the world-famous Swannery at Abbotsbury), Studland Bay, Burton Bradstock, peaceful Charmouth and picturesque Lulworth Cove. Just think of a day spent fishing in rock pools on a beach for minute sea creatures (Kimmeridge Bay is particularly recommended) and then turning to the cliffs on this famous Jurassic coastline. Here, winter rockfalls often reveal fossils (although you're no longer allowed to go digging for them). The

There's an equally appealing choice of attractions to enjoy away from Dorset's south coast beaches. Why not spend an afternoon viewing the Purbeck countryside from the windows of a heritage steam train on the Swanage Railway? Next, catch your train at Corfe and visit the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle, high on the hill above the town. Then, head west to Bovington, where you'll find the (seriously) best and most entertaining tank museum or the nearby Monkey World, which is as educational as its primates are adorable.

In the far west of Dorset lie the attractive little coastal towns of Bridport, West Bay, with its fantastic fish restaurant and Lyme Regis.

Inland Dorset is as pretty as the names of its villages imply. How can you resist a holiday in a county with place names such as Fifehead Magdalen, Purse Caundle, Hazelbury Bryan, Piddletrenthide, Sixpenny Handley, Toller Fratrum and Tolpuddle (home of the Tolpuddle Martyrs)?

Many of its towns boast splendid vernacular architecture (usually accompanied by quaint tea rooms), as visitors to Blandford Forum or Gold Hill in Shaftesbury will readily testify. The latter is the location for a famous Hovis Bread advert in the '70s.

Other attractions worth visiting include the Model Town at Wimborne and the Great Dorset Steam Fair near Blandford Forum at the end of August. Unfortunately, the Steam Fair is so large you'll need more than one day to work around it. But, of course, this shouldn't be a problem if you stay in a Dorset holiday let!