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.

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.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A thatched stone-built farmhouse and courtyard.
  • Sleeps 30
  • Bedrooms 12

North End Farm is a delightful property near Bridport and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. It offers ample furnished grounds, rustic charm, lovely views & stunning sunsets. Surrounded by rolling green hills, the farm offers pet-friendly holiday cottages and cabins for couples, small families and large groups.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Large thatched farmhouse overlooks a spacious lawn
  • Sleeps 14
  • Bedrooms 6

North End's large listed Farmhouse is available for Dorset holiday lets all year. It is situated in a spectacular countryside setting on the Jurassic Coast, between the lively market towns of Bridport and Lyme Regis. Beaches, culture, pubs, and walks are easily accessible. Pets are welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
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.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Seaspray is the perfect Dorset coastal destination for walkers, families and beach lovers! Seaspray offers a taste of life by the beach in the pretty village of Eype. The beach at Eype welcomes dogs all year round, and the property is dog-friendly.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A cricket pavilion with a verandah converted to a holiday lodge.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 1

The Old Cricket Pavilion is in a picturesque rural location at North End Farm near Bridport. It has a small enclosed lawned garden and panoramic Dorset countryside views—ideal for a romantic retreat for two or a small family. Pets welcome.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Eco Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Small Cottages
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Situated on a beautiful farm overlooking the Jurassic Coast in West Dorset, The Swallows is one of seven-holiday cottages at Character Farm Cottages near Weymouth. 4-star rated by Visit England, it comfortably sleeps four. It is exceptionally well-appointed and open throughout the year. Pets welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone-built terraced cottage with a picket fence around the front garden.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

The Sycamores is a two-bedroom Dorset holiday cottage situated on our stunning farm overlooking the West Dorset Coast and Chesil Beach. Five miles West of Weymouth, it offers the perfect countryside holiday accommodation for families or friends throughout the year. Your Pets are welcome.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Stone-built, single storey barn conversion overlooking open countryside.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

The Willows is a one-bedroom Weymouth holiday cottage ideal for couples or solo travellers. It is set on our working farm in Dorset overlooking the Fleet Lagoon and the mighty Jurassic Coastline. It is also ideal for walkers, cyclists, and people who just want to escape to the peace and tranquillity of the Dorset countryside.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
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!

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A footpath flanked by privet hedges leads to a stone-built holiday cottage with a covered porch.
  • Sleeps 3
  • Bedrooms 2

Greenwich Cottage is a stylish, home-from-home character cottage in the West Dorset village of Chideock on the Jurassic Coast. It sleeps up to 3 and is perfect for a romantic or small family getaway within walking distance to 3 excellent pubs and the beach at Seatown.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Independent Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
A cottage lounge with a pine-beamed ceiling and comfortable leather sofas.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Located close to Dorset’s Jurassic Coast near Bridport, The Cider Barn is a newly refurbished family-friendly barn conversion in secluded rural surroundings at Hembury Mil in Askerwell. The Cider Barn sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, appealing to those planning beach or walking holidays on the Dorset coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A 2-storey Dorset mill conversion overlooks a terrace and lawned garden.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

The Mill is a well-equipped coastal holiday cottage with Wi-Fi available all year round. It sleeps six and is set in 7.5 acres of Dorset countryside. The Mill is only a short walk from the village pub and a short drive to the market town of Bridport / West Bay, which is famous as the location for TVs Broadchurch.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Independent Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages

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.