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.

Stone-built Dorset farm cottage with a patio, lawns and mature trees.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Uncover the unique charm of Droop Farm Cottage, an idyllic Doret holiday let in Hazelbury-Bryan. This 300-year-old stone barn, converted with care, is an elegant and inviting rural retreat in Dorset for families or friends. Characterized by small windows, a slate roof, and thoughtful décor, the cottage offers picturesque views and modern amenities. Set in the peaceful village of Hazelbury Bryan, Droop Farm Cottage is a perfect blend of comfort and countryside, creating an idyllic setting for a tranquil getaway. View our main page for more details and photos.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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A semi-detached stone-built holiday cottage in Chideock overlooks a quiet village lane.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

Discover the charm of Fossil Cottage, an enchanting choice among seaside holiday cottages in Chideock. Situated in the heart of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this two-bedroom haven accommodates a family of five, providing tranquillity and proximity to Seatown Beach. With a delightful garden room, a well-equipped kitchen, and easy access to the beautiful Jurassic Coast, Fossil Cottage promises a blend of comfort and coastal adventure. Secure your reservation now for an unforgettable stay in this seaside gem!

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
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A stone-built cottage with a large glass roofed sun room overlooking fields and a wooded valley.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Goose Run Cottage offers a peaceful escape in the countryside. This stunning open-plan stone cottage is located in Corscombe on a private estate that provides breathtaking views of the Dorset countryside. You'll have plenty of space to relax and unwind amidst its charming south-facing garden, elegant furnishings, expansive skies, and even a tree house.

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4-storey exterior of contemporary harbourside apartments in Weymouth.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Harbourside Haven Apartment 3 is a luxurious Dorset seaside apartment perched above Weymouth Marina. Enjoying beautiful views and a soft sea breeze from its balcony and open-plan living area, the sophisticated property places guests in the centre of the coastal resort and the coastline.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Waterside Cottages
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Lilliput is tucked away in the quiet Dorset coastal village of Shipton Gorge, a mile or two from Bridport and the Jurassic Coast at Burton Bradstock. This well-maintained holiday cottage will particularly appeal to those seeking lovely walks close to hand and also welcomes pets. nicely

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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  • Walking Holidays
A large thatched cottage overlooks spacious, freshly-mown lawns.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

Magna Cottage is a 300-year-old cottage with a thatched roof, abundant character, a large mature garden, and many homely comforts. The pet-friendly holiday cottage in a secluded corner of Dorset near Shaftesbury boasts an inglenook fireplace, contemporary style and beautiful views.

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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.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A 3-storey, brick-built, Dorset Mill House overlooks a cobbled courtyard.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

Mill House is a large Dorset holiday home in Maiden Newton, Dorset, which makes an ideal holiday retreat for large families and groups of friends, a Grade II listed child-friendly cottage featuring stylish décor, a games room, six spacious bedrooms, and a large enclosed garden with patio and barbecue.

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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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  • Short Breaks
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A large multi-windowed chalet bungalow in Charmouth with an extended plate-glass walled deck
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Charmouth holiday let, Pendower, just a short walk from Charmouth village, presents guests with stunning sea views. This seaside holiday home in Dorset boasts a flexible split-level design, perfect for families or couples. Enjoy the enclosed gardens, an ideal playground for kids and pets, while savouring coastal vistas. The open-plan living space, stylish kitchen, and three inviting bedrooms ensure a comfortable retreat. Book Pendower for a memorable stay near Charmouth's vibrant charm and explore the wonders of the Jurassic Coast. Discover more about this captivating property.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Cycling Holidays
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  • Short Breaks
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2-storey barn conversion with a patio for dining and large lawn.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Rampisham Hill Farm Barn sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on a working sheep farm near Hooke in Dorset, & the rural cottage promises beautiful views, spacious outdoor areas, an open fire, fresh farm eggs, contemporary comfort, open-plan design, serenity & access to the Jurassic Coast.

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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. It enjoys superb ocean views from Anvil Point. The pet-friendly cottage features ample grounds to soak up the views of the Dorset coastline. It boasts luxury and a rare chance to get away in a spectacular location.

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Exterior of a contemporary house with  a built-iin garage, smal front garden and a palm treein Weymouth
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Sea Pebbles is a beautifully presented house only a few steps away from the front door to breathtaking sea views and the coastal path in Weymouth. Whatever you decide to do on your Dorset holiday, Sea Pebbles offers the perfect base from which to explore the Jurassic coast.

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Exteerio of a beachfront chalet bungalow overlooking a sea wall.
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

This lovely three-storey beachfront holiday cottage in Weymouth, Dorset, can sleep twelve people in six bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
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  • Coastal Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
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  • Waterside Cottages
S single-storey chapel conversion to a holiday cottage in West Lulworth
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Explore St Mary's Chapel, a luxurious West Lulworth holiday let in Dorset, offering an unforgettable escape in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This converted chapel sleeps up to six guests, featuring unique architectural elements, an open-plan living space with underfloor heating, and flexible sleeping arrangements. The enclosed garden with scenic views and proximity to local amenities, including Lulworth Cove's pebble beach, adds to the property's allure. Discover a perfect blend of comfort and coastal beauty at this Dorset holiday rental. View more information and photos for an enticing escape.

  • Accessible Cottages
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  • Short Breaks
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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.