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.

A large thatched cottage overlooking a spacious lawn near Bridport.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Eagles Nest is a classic grade II listed thatched cottage in Dorset, sleeping 6 in 3 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms. The property is rurally located near Symondsbury, close to the Jurassic Coast. Enjoy peace and quiet with a private garden, hot tub and games room. Dogs welcome.

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Exterior of a stone-built thatched village cottage overlooking a large lawn with a flowerbed.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

The Old Post Office sleeps five over three bedrooms. It is conveniently located in the heart of Symondsbury Village with access to plenty of countryside walks and near the market town of Bridport and the Jurassic coast. Dogs welcome.

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Exterior of a modern chalet bungalow with block-paved drive.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Set in the heart of Christchurch is 27 Wick Lane, a spacious cottage minutes from the Dorset coast. The light-filled cottage sleeps 6 and boasts a generous lawned garden with furniture and an interior with ample windows, garden views, open-plan design, elegant furnishings and contemporary comforts.

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Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The Stables, situated amidst the owners’ 130 acres of wooded farmland in the rural village of Fifehead Neville, is a dog-friendly cottage in Dorset. It is a barn conversion lovingly renovated to an exceptionally high standard. The cottage offers spectacular views across the Blackmore Vale.

 

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Exterior and front garden of a stone-built Dorset holiday cottage with outdoor dining furniture on its terrace.
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Chideock Cottage is a well-equipped holiday cottage which is available all-year-round. Situated in the village of Chideock with stunning views of the hills and just a 20 minute walk to the beach at Seatown. There is a lovely foodie pub just over the road, too!

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Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
4

The Cider House and The Old Dairy combine to form one cottage on North End Farm in Chideock, Dorset. The pet-friendly 4-bedroom cottage sleeps 12 (including two sofa beds) and boasts a thatched roof, oak beams, wooden floors, and a log fire, as well as outdoor furnished spaces that capture the rural views.

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Exterior of a 1930s Dorset house and garden in Dorset with a large lawn
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

This comfortable family cottage on a working farm near Beaminster sleeps six in two bedrooms. It has a sunny conservatory, cosy spaces, farm-fresh eggs, and an open fire. The farm lies on the borders of Dorset and Somerset, within easy reach of Beaminster and the Jurassic Coast.

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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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A lighthouse complex with a squat tower perches on a clifftop.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Rowena Cottage is uniquely positioned inside a converted lighthouse near Swanage and enjoys superb ocean views from Anvil Point. The pet-friendly cottage features ample grounds to soak up the views of the Dorset coastline and boasts luxury and a rare chance to get away in a spectacular location.

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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!