Dog friendly Lodges Dorset

Within 2 miles of the famous Chesil Beach and World Heritage Jurassic Coast and between West Bay and Portland Bill, this Grade II 13th-century stone tithe barn, situated in Litton Cheney on a working farm, has been restored and extended to provide excellent detached character accommodation for 19 guests, in this sought after part of West Dorset. It offers a great location for enjoying this holiday area, and boasts nine en-suite bedrooms (five doubles, one with an additional single, and four twins), each with TV, and a large kitchen, ideal for self catering with a large group. There is even the added benefit of a self-service bar, so you can keep your friends and family entertained throughout the evening. The original stone barn, now a very impressive vaulted and beamed living/dining room, comfortably accommodates eighteen. There is plenty of room for all; guests can relax and unwind in the large garden, the children can play in the games room equipped with pool table, there is fishing (by arrangement with the owner) in the 2-acre coarse fishing lake, or simply wander down to the village pub to wine and dine, or enjoy some glorious country walking.
Within a few minutes’ drive is Chesil Beach at Burton Bradstock which stretches for 17 miles from Portland to West Bay and is a unique shingle ridge and natural beauty spot. The pebbles on the beach are said to increase in size from east to west, the largest being at Portland where a centre for wind and kitesurfing can also be found. West Bexington and Abbotsbury are a short drive away with opportunities for swimming and fishing. Abbotsbury is home to the swannery which is a popular family attraction for holidaymakers and where visitors can walk amidst colonies of nesting mute swans in a natural wildlife habitat. Originally established by Benedictine monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury, the swannery was used to provide food for their banquets and has been featured in films including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens, which were established in the 1700s by the Countess of Ilchester, are another place of interest to visit. Magnolia and camelia collections are of particular note as well as rhododendrons and hydrangeas; a gift shop, restaurant and plant centre complete the facilities for a good day out. There is much to see and do in Dorset for families, especially at Weymouth, a short drive away, which offers many attractions including the Sea Life Museum, or visit Dorchester with its many attractions and shops. Further afield, family days out include Wool with its Tank Museum and Monkey World, or admire the natural arch of Durdle Door and the almost circular cove of Lulworth on the way to Wareham and the Isle of Purbeck. To the west one can see the magnificent World Heritage Coast and visit West Bay, Eype, Charmouth and of course the ever popular seaside resort of Lyme Regis, with its pretty harbour and Cobb. Shop 3 miles and pub 400 yards.

Set in beautiful west Dorset countryside, just a short distance from the market town of Bridport, West Bay (scene of the TV series Broadchurch) on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast and the popular seaside resort of Lyme Regis, this single-storey, terrace barn conversion, for two, is excellent holiday accommodation for those wishing to enjoy some wonderful scenic coast or country walking, perhaps with the dog. The dramatic coastline stretches from Lyme Regis, all the way to Weymouth and Portland, taking in the famous Chesil Beach and Golden Cap, and has some superb little seaside resorts to explore. Inland, one will find much to enjoy ranging from Forde Abbey and Gardens, Broadwindsor Craft Centre and just over the border in Somerset, Barrington Court and Montacute House (both NT), Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum and the Haynes Classic Motor Museum. Beach 5 miles. Shop 1½ miles, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Tucked away in the sleepy little village of Whitchurch Canonicorum, the accommodation is next door to a quiet country pub. This completely self contained wing of the owner’s house, has been pleasantly furnished and well equipped to provide an excellent base from which to explore this charming part of rural West Dorset, including the Jurassic Coastline, designated by UNESCO as England’s first natural World Heritage Site. The surrounding countryside abounds in glorious walks and wildlife, and is dotted with picturesque villages. Within a few miles lies the National Trust coastal area famous for its stunning scenery, fossil hunting and with wonderful beaches at Charmouth. The Cobb breakwater at Lyme Regis is also worth a visit. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 15 yards.

In the heart of West Dorset, on a working farm, situated in the beautiful Marshwood Vale only 2½ miles from the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast between Lyme Regis to the west and Bridport and West Bay to the east, this large, semi-detached farmhouse for twelve guests and offers a great holiday location to escape from the pressures of life and unwind in this wonderful area. Purcombe Farmhouse offers spacious accommodation for two to three families. Outside one can sit undercover and enjoy a barbecue or al fresco meal with some wine, and families can relax in the large garden with its lawn and lovely views over the Marshwood Vale. Within easy driving there is much to do; exploring the seaside resorts along this scenic coast, taking in Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Eype, West Bay, Abbotsbury and on to Weymouth and Portland Bill. Perhaps some coastal walking, maybe up to the top of Golden Cap with its fantastic views over Lyme Bay, followed by a hearty meal and refreshment in Chideock. There is swimming, fossil hunting, boating, fishing and golf along the coast or inland attractions such as Forde Abbey and Gardens, Broadwindsor Craft Centre, Yeovil Fleet Air Arm Museum, Haynes Motor Museum and so much more to have a memorable gathering, be it family or friends. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

The Stables is a detached stable conversion and benefits from a large, open-plan kitchen/dining-room with a high ceiling and beams, a living room with a wood-burning stove and also has its own garden with great views over the surrounding countryside. The holiday property stands in the grounds of the owners’ 650-acre organic dairy farm; there are lovely walks from the doorstep amid the farmland. The Dorset Gap is nearby for walks amid stunning scenery, while sandy bays and nature reserves can be found along the World Heritage Coastline just 18 miles away. Dorchester (Thomas Hardy’s Casterbridge) is within driving distance for a wide range of attractions, including a lively weekly market with the beautiful Maiden Castle sure to be a highlight. A trip to the charming town of Cerne Abbas with its Tudor architecture, tea rooms and the nearby Cerne Giant is also a must on any itinerary.
The seaside town of Weymouth with splendid harbour, Georgian seafront and long sandy beach makes a great day out and the ferry for day trips to the Channel Islands also leaves from the town. Just a few of the pretty Dorset villages to explore are Abbotsbury with its sub-tropical garden and swannery, Milton Abbas (the first planned settlement in England) with whitewashed thatched cottages and the 14th-century abbey, NT Corfe Castle and Lulworth with famous natural cove and over the hill to Durdle Door. There are RSPB reserves at Arne near Wareham and two at Weymouth. With good golf courses in the vicinity and a selection of excellent inns and restaurants within 7 miles, this truly is an ideal location to suit a variety of holiday needs. Shop 5 miles, pub 1 mile.

The Stables (DXS) and Armswell House (DQT) can be booked together to accommodate up to 32 guests.

In a conservation area just a mile from the cliffs and sea at Dancing Ledge, this attractive and very well-equipped stone house enjoys superb views across the countryside towards Swanage Bay. Set with its own garden on the edge of the small hamlet of Acton, it has been completely renovated to a good standard throughout and includes an extension at the rear (part of which is the owners’ accommodation). Each bedroom boasts en-suite bathroom facilities and colour television making it ideal for large family groups holidaying together. Swanage (2½ miles) has a lovely sandy beach, and offers a wide variety of attractions, including shops, inns and restaurants, a theatre, and facilities for tennis and swimming. There are steam trains to the little town of Corfe Castle, and odd pieces of architecture brought from London, including the Wellington Tower on the beach, which once stood near London Bridge. The unspoilt village of Studland (4 miles) has another excellent beach (NT) and is close to woods and downs. North of the village is Studland Heath National Nature Reserve, home to a variety of wildlife ranging from wildfowl to lizards. A ferry runs from Studland across the bay to Sandbanks, from where the bay stretches on to Bournemouth. Excellent walking can be found in this area, with the coastal path running nearby along the cliffs, and the hills at Nine Barrow Down within easy reach. Riding stables at Wareham, 8 miles. Golf 4 miles. Poole and Bournemouth, both 20 miles. Shops ½ mile, three inns within a mile.

This attached holiday home, with sea views, is 300 yards from the sea, on the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Part of a Grade II listed, 250 year old watermill which was used for milling of flour years ago, Millstones is on the top floor and offers comfortable accommodation, with an en-suite bedroom. The location is excellent for exploring this popular area, with walking, fossil hunting and fishing all available locally, the area is also home to the River Cottage HQ. Nearby is the Golden Cap with panoramic views over Lyme Bay from the top. A sandy beach and harbour of West Bay are close by, as well as the beginning of the famous Chesil Beach. Within a short drive are Mapperton Gardens, Forde Abbey and the Abbotsbury Swannery, which all make wonderful days out. Shop 1 mile, pub 300 yards.

Nestling in the quiet hamlet of Acton, just a mile from the sea and cliffs of delightfully named Dancing Ledge, these two charming, Grade II listed, former quarrymen’s holiday cottages enjoy their own furnished gardens. Offering cosy accommodation for couples with plenty of rustic charm (with low beams and stone fire surrounds), they occupy either end of a row of three in a conservation area, affording lovely views towards Swanage Bay and many excellent walks along coastal paths or through charming villages, three inns lie within a mile and a half. Swanage, 2½ miles, offers a lovely sandy beach together with many other attractions, including shops, restaurants and inns, a theatre and an extensive range of sports facilities. Bournemouth 25 miles. Poole 20 miles. Shops ½ mile and pub 1 mile.

In the small village of Winterborne Abbas, in west Dorset’s Hardy Country, this large, 300 year old, former guest house is conveniently located next to the main road, making an ideal base for venturing out on day trips and exploring this wonderful area. Churchview House offers great accommodation for 17 guests, which is excellent for family or group gatherings. The house offers 2 living rooms, a large dining area with open fires, and 9 bedrooms, of which 8 are en-suite, all with TV’s the other having a bathroom next door. It is in an ideal location near Dorchester (4 miles) which is the county town of Dorset, and Bridport (10 miles) and West Bay (12 miles). The amazing Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon is 5 miles with many water sports available. Travelling a short distance along the causeway, you can enjoy stunning views from Portland and the famous Portland Bill Lighthouse, all the way over to Lyme Bay, and along this famous stretch of English coastline, now designated as the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, with its superb coastal walking and scenery. Within easy driving distance, enjoy family days out at Weymouth with its stunning, award-winning sandy beach which the children will love, visit the Sea Life Adventure Park and Sea Life Tower, or perhaps try some windsurfing in Portland harbour. There are many attractions in this lovely part of the world; Dorchester has many museums, there is the Tank Museum at Bovington, Monkey World, Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Abbotsbury Swannery and Subtropical Gardens. Further west, enjoy a day out taking in the famous Cob and harbour at Lyme Regis with its beach and quaint shops. Sherborne, Poole (28 miles) and Wareham (22 miles) are also worth visiting for many further attractions. Beach 5 miles. Shop and restaurant 2½ miles, pub ¼ mile.

This elegant, Grade II listed Georgian town house is located next door to the popular Tivoli Theatre – perfect for a night out. Families, groups or couples will enjoy the delights of this charming town which has various eateries, inns, cafés, traditional shops and the beautiful historic minster. The Town House has many attractive period features, such as wood floors, sash windows and ornamental fire surrounds. On the ground floor is a large bedroom with en-suite shower room, a living room complete with an open fire, and a kitchen/dining room. Upstairs there are four further bedrooms, three benefiting from en-suite facilities, and a family bathroom with roll-top bath. Outside, the enclosed patio has a seating area and barbecue, and there is a park close by, ideal if you have brought your four-legged friends or for children. It is about a 5-minute walk to the public car park.
Wimborne Minster is centrally located within this quaint town. Built in 705 AD, it was founded by the mother of King Henry V11, and is famed for its chained library and the tomb of Alfred the Great’s brother. Many people also frequent the Gin House which has a large selection of worldwide gins available. There are various festivals and fairs throughout the year too. Within easy driving distance are beaches at Sandbanks, Studland Bay, Bournemouth, Poole Nature Reserve and Brownsea Island, and to the west, you can visit The Purbecks, Corfe Castle and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
For the outdoor enthusiasts there are various walks within easy reach, plus for a family day out, visit Moors Valley which is ideal for all age groups and is also dog friendly. As well as scenic walks and excellent wildlife spotting, there are a host of recreational activities available such as angling, orienteering, cycle hire, golf, Go Ape Tree Top Adventure, Forest Segway, walking groups, canoeing and péntanque. For keen amblers, Avon Heath is also nearby. The New Forest National Park is easily accessible and provides miles of scenic walks and a network of bridleways and footpaths, and you can often find the ponies and cattle roaming the streets in one of the many picturesque villages.
There is a water park nearby in the charming town of Fordingbridge which also has a host of shops, cafés and eateries, and the gentle flowing River Avon. The Town House is convenient for road links to the cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury, Christchurch Harbour and Stonehenge. Other attractions include Marwell Zoo with Peppa Pig World, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Bovington Tank Museum, New Forest Otter and Owl Park and various other tourist attractions. Beach 11½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 100 yards.