Dorset Holidays, Self-Catering Cottages and Apartments

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. Still looking for a countryside holiday destination? Head here to see our full UK countryside holiday listings.

A stone, 2-storey, Dorset barn conversion overlooks a courtyard.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Drackenorth Lodge is a large and impressive rural holiday home in Hooke. The Lodge sleeps eight and is finished to a very high standard. It offers multiple furnished outdoor spaces, a light-filled open-plan layout with exposed beams, and an upside-down design. This converted barn has beautiful village views and the Dorset countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A partially thatched Dorset cottage overlooks a large and secure lawned garden.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 3

Enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the hamlet of Benville, Dorset, just as Thomas Hardy described it a century ago, with a stay at Benville Cottage, a historic child-friendly cottage with three bedrooms, a large garden with three terraced lawn areas, an Inglenook fireplace, and 17th-century stone wall carving.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A Lighthouse tower and buildings on a grassy clifftop.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 4

Enjoy a unique holiday at Veronica Cottage, a stylish coastal cottage within Anvil Point Lighthouse near Swanage. Set within Durleston Country Park, the contemporary cottage enjoys spectacular ocean views and access to the beautiful beaches of Dorset. It offers spacious grounds and a sea breeze.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a stone-built thatched cottage in Dorset.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Dormouse Cottage is situated in the desirable Dorset village of Burton Bradstock. It is a stone-built cottage with a thatched roof and character. The pet-friendly cottage sits near the beach and offers a lovely courtyard, exposed beams, an inglenook fireplace, a cottage-style kitchen, and modern elegance.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a thatched Abbotsbury holiday cottage with farm buildings behind.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Enjoy the gentle allure of Dairy Cottage, a serene Dorset coast cottage in Abbotsbury. It offers rural views, a pet-friendly garden, and a cosy wood-burning stove. With three bedrooms, including two doubles and a twin, it comfortably accommodates six guests. The well-equipped farmhouse-style kitchen/diner is perfect for preparing and tucking into family meals. Explore nearby Abbotsbury, the Subtropical Gardens, and the Southwest Coast Path. Experience a wonderful Dorset holiday at this Abbotsbury holiday rental. Book now for an enriching escape amidst picturesque rural surroundings.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 3-storey holiday cottage in Swanage with twin bay windows.
  • Sleeps 14
  • Bedrooms 7

Enjoy the beauty of the Jurassic Coast with a stay at 20 Ulwell Road, a large Swanage holiday let in Swanage on the Dorset coast, along the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck. This three-storey pet-friendly cottage boasts seven bedrooms, an AGA cooker set in exposed brickwork, an annexe with an en-suite king-size bedroom, and a tiered garden.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
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.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Apple Tree Cottage is a picturesque chocolate box cottage in the heart of Burton Bradstock in Dorset. The pet-friendly cottage sleeps four and boasts a thatched roof and proximity to beautiful beaches, a furnished cottage garden, exposed beams, elegant furnishings, natural light and charm.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A stone-built Dorset holiday cottage behind a row of mature shrubs overlooks an empty country lane.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Apple Tree Cottage is an authentic brick-and-flint terraced cottage dating back to 1730 near Sturminster Newton in Dorset. The pet-friendly holiday cottage sleeps four and offers a mature garden with a summerhouse and patio and an interior blending tradition with style and a warming log fire.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a 2-storey wooden cottage overlooking a large drive bordered by flowers.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Belview Cottage immerses you deep in its picturesque greens and boundless hills for a peaceful getaway to the Dorset countryside. Based in the beautiful Blackmore Vale, the two-bedroom cottage in Sturminster Newton is a cosy base for exploring the countryside and Jurassic Coast.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior anf front garden of a double-fronted thatched holiday cottage in West Lulworth
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Discover the charm of Cajun Cottage, a captivating West Lulworth holiday let. This delightful holiday cottage in Dorset enjoys an ideal location, a brief stroll from Lulworth Cove beach and two welcoming pubs. Admire breathtaking sea views from the elevated terrace and indulge in the property's modern amenities, a cosy wood-burning stove, and well-appointed bedrooms. It is tailored for families or friends seeking a pet-friendly retreat on the Dorset coast. View the complete description to unveil the enchanting features that make Cajun Cottage an unforgettable coastal escape.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A semii-detached Dorset cottage overlooks a paved front courtyard for parking.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Dating back to the 1600s, Candy Cottage boasts rustic charm and tranquillity. The pet-friendly cottage in Thornford promises touches of yesteryear, space for pets, and a wood-burning stove in a traditional fireplace. A roll-top bath offers relaxation & the cottage is well situated in Dorset.

  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a thatched village cottage in Dorset.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Church Cottage is a delightful thatched holiday cottage nestled beside the church in Cattistock, Dorset. The pet-friendly cottage boasts a lovely, landscaped garden, a luxurious interior with elegant design features, and a prime location in this quaint village.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
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. It boasts open-plan living spaces and a delightful garden with a patio that catches the sea breeze and offers views of the surrounding region. The sophisticated coastal cottage offers urban chic, light, airy spaces and more than a touch of elegance.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
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.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

Why Stay in a Holiday Home in Dorset?

  • 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. There's 70 miles of golden beaches so plenty to choose from! You can find coastal cottages in Dorset just moments away from the beach or after a small drive.  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).
  • 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)?
  • For an authentic country feeling, find a countryside cottage with beams, a thatched roof and a cosy fire place to relax and unwind by. The architecture here feels like stepping back in time.
  • Dorset is perfect for hiking, sailing, cycling or just relaxing. Enjoy the local cuisine, potter around the local towns or go fossil hunting along the Jurassic coast.

 

 

Where Can You Visit and What Can You Do From Your Dorset Holiday Home?

  • Make your way to the well know Seven Sisters beach where you'll be greeted with stunning chalk sea cliffs.
  • The Jurassic coast offers an insight into our past world. You may stumble upon a fossil on the beach at Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
  • It's worth visiting 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!
  • Adventure to seaside resorts like Weymouth in the east and head along the South West Coast Path to the Regency town of Lyme Regis.
  • 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.
  • 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.