Dog Friendly Holidays Dorset
Dorset is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the UK for furry friends all year round. The Jurassic Coast, Durdle Door, Poole Harbour and the South West Coast path make Dorset the perfect dog-friendly adventure. Explore our idyllic selection of pet-friendly hotels and cottages to find the perfect holiday for you and your four-legged friend.
Corfe Castle, England
5.00The Old Guildhall, reputed to be the original meeting place of the ancient order of stone cutters and marblers, is a unique and individual property with contemporary and quirky design practically combined with many original period features. The house has many original works of art on display which adds to the ambiance, and has been featured in the House and Garden magazine. The owner thoughtfully provides a luxurious hamper. The stunning village of Corfe Castle stands at the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck, and is dominated by the ruined castle, which is a delight any time of year. Other family attractions include a model village and interactive exhibition, the village museum, a steam railway and many shops, and Corfe Common is found just on the edge of the village with the Purbeck Way walking route passing through it to reach Chapman’s Pool and the South West Coast Path. The village is constructed almost completely from the local grey Purbeck limestone and around the village square there are a small collection of shops clustered together. The UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline is a short drive away, with the famous Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Discover the town of Swanage with its beach, boat trips, Durlston Country Park and Steam Railway. Monkey World and the Tank Museum are also close by. Shop and pubs 100 yards.£115From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & book
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Wimborne, England 5.00Approached via a long drive overlooking daffodil fields, this comfortable, single-storey, detached bungalow is a lovely holiday home for families or couples, located on the doorstep to the Jurassic Coast. It has a large enclosed lawned garden and a spacious games room. West View is located within the owner’s country home and has direct access onto bridleways and footpaths, leading all the way to Wareham. Set in a convenient location for road links to the beaches of Poole and Bournemouth, Sandbanks, The Purbeck Coastline, historical maritime Southampton with historic ships, Salisbury Cathedral, Christchurch Harbour and Dorchester. Other attractions include Monkey World, Stone Henge, Marwell Zoo, Beaulieu Motor Museum, New Forest Otter and Owl Park, Kingston Lacy (NT) and Badbury Rings. The New Forest is also within easy driving distance with its heathlands, where ponies and cattle roam. Beach 6 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.£68From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Portland, England 5.00Sea Pinks Cottage located in Portland, Dorset
£85From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Bettiscombe, EnglandMarshwood Manor offers excellent accommodation and facilities in a tranquil rural setting, surrounded by Dorset’s loveliest countryside, and only 5 miles from the unspoilt beaches and golden sandstone cliffs of the coastline. The estate’s 10-acres of lawn, garden, pasture and woodland offer plenty of room for adults to stroll and children to play.
The properties have been carefully formed from a fine original range of buildings next to the manor house and may be booked together to accommodate larger groups holidaying together (property refs DEY, DFA, DEX, DUS, DWS and UK41304). Previously filmed for BBC television, all retain character and charm, whilst offering comfortable holiday accommodation fitted to a high standard throughout. Each has its own garden or courtyard with furniture, and all enjoy shared use of the extensive gardens and grounds. There is a large lounge bar/games area with table tennis. Approached along a private drive and set well back from the road, the cottages are perfectly positioned for enjoying this delightful corner of Dorset.
There is a variety of beautiful beaches, both sand and pebble, within a five to ten mile radius, including those at Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Seatown, Eype, West Bay and Burton Bradstock. Fossil-rich cliffs define this dramatic stretch of coastline, which encompasses the 2,000-acre National Trust estate of Golden Cap. This is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and superb walking country, both on the rolling chalk hills overlooking fertile inland valleys and on the coastal footpaths offering spectacular clifftop views. It is also an area full of romance and history, with three ancient hill forts and the house and gardens of Forde Abbey all nearby.
A range of attractions is on offer in nearby country towns. Lyme Regis is a pretty seaside resort, its elegant colour-washed buildings and promenade lining a handsome harbour. Motor boats can be hired and there are fishing trips, a sailing school and a windsurfing school. Bridport is a thriving market town, featured on TV’s River Cottage, the Port Bredy of Hardy’s novels, offering a good choice of shops, inns, restaurants, an arts centre and a sports centre with indoor pool. The coastline is excellent for sea fishing and inland waters offer good coarse fishing. Golfers will find courses at Lyme Regis and West Bay and there is also horse riding nearby within 5 miles. Caterers are available locally. The local shop at Marshwood and two charming thatched country pubs are within a short drive. Shops 2 miles.£155From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Wareham, EnglandSympathetically converted, this lovely detached coach house stands within its own large garden, with views over the shared swimming pool (open from May weather dependent) from its open-plan living room. It enjoys use of the owners’ woodland grounds, with shady walks leading down to a river.
For history enthusiasts, Wareham is a treasure trove of ancient sites and stories. Explore the well-preserved town walls and immerse yourself in the town’s Saxon past. Don’t miss the impressive Wareham Town Museum, where artifacts and exhibits transport you back in time. Nearby, the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle, 6 miles, stand sentinel over the countryside, providing a glimpse into England’s turbulent history.
Just a short drive away lies the vibrant coastal resort of Bournemouth. Here, guests can soak up the sun on the golden sands, stroll along the bustling promenade, or indulge in some retail therapy at the eclectic shops and boutiques. For those seeking a taste of adventure, water sports and beach activities abound, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
Poole, 7 miles, is a coastal gem, known for its picturesque harbourside and bustling quayside. Take a leisurely stroll along the quay, where traditional pubs, seafood restaurants, and quaint shops line the waterfront. Here, you can savour freshly caught fish and chips, or indulge in a relaxing afternoon tea while watching boats gently bob on the water. Nearby Brownsea Island, a short ferry ride away, is a nature lover’s paradise. This tranquil sanctuary is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including red squirrels and a multitude of bird species.
Studland Bay is also close by with a sandy beach and ferries to the Channel Islands (summer only) and France. Shops ¼ mile.£115From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Chickerell, EnglandIn a rural location on the outskirts of the popular, bustling, seaside resort of Weymouth, and with extensive views across the downs towards Hardy’s monument, these well-presented, semi-detached, single-storey holiday homes offer a great location for exploring Dorset. Adjacent to the owners’ home, these properties are within a couple of miles of the famous Chesil Beach and World Heritage Jurassic Coast. There is superb coastal walking and scenery to be enjoyed nearby, and in Weymouth, there is a wonderful sandy beach. Many watersports and activities can be found in Weymouth or at nearby Portland. Weymouth itself offers many family attractions, including Sandworld, Leisureranch, Brewers Quay, Sea Life Centre and tower, and an RSPB reserve at Radipole Lake. Take a day trip to Guernsey, or just enjoy the ambience of this lovely seaside town, with its many restaurants and shops. One can spend days out exploring the beautiful coastline down to Lyme Regis, Abbotsbury and West Bay, or Lulworth Cove and on to the Purbecks. Other places to visit include Corfe Castle, Tank World at Bovington, Monkey World or the Swanage Steam Railway. Inland, Dorchester is on your doorstep, or perhaps visit Sherborne with its abbey and castles. Beach 2½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.£77From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Swanage, EnglandThis superb, spacious, stone holiday cottage with character beams, is situated in the heart of the Purbeck countryside. It is set in a lawned garden on the edge of a small, peaceful, Caravan Club site. The detached cottage has been sympathetically restored and is furnished to an exceptionally good standard with beams throughout. It features an attractive welcoming wood burner in the cosy living room, a dining room and a well-equipped kitchen with everything you need to rustle up your favourite dishes. A useful utility room with laundry facilities also houses a separate toilet. An attractive conservatory leads into a delightful garden with flower troughs, roses, climbing ivy and a pretty stone well. Moving upstairs, there are two bedrooms with double beds and one bedroom with twin beds. A family bathroom can be found here too.
The delightful Swanage Railway runs regular trips on steam and diesel engines from Corfe Castle to Swanage, a pretty seaside resort with golden sandy beaches. Located on the Isle of Purbeck on the Jurassic Coast, Swanage is known for its mild weather and unique micro climate.
Bustling Poole Harbour is the largest natural harbour in Europe, with its sheltered waters and tiny islands. It is ideal for water sports yet is fringed with unspoilt woodland and coastal walks, appealing to all generations.
A little further east is the popular seaside resort of Bournemouth with miles of stunning sandy beaches, a pier and traditional amusements and fairground rides to keep the children entertained. Shop, pub and restaurant 1.5 miles.£76From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Chickerell, EnglandSituated in a semi-rural location beside a country road with extensive views across the downs towards Hardys Monument is this cosy cottage, the middle one of three. The cottage has been furnished and equipped to a good standard to provide a pleasant holiday home, boasting a hand crafted 4-poster bed in the main bedroom. There are a further two twin bedrooms, one on the first floor, the other on the second floor. The downstairs living room has an open fire, warming and welcoming during the cooler evenings.
The lovely resort of Weymouth with its gently shelving golden sands and picturesque harbour is only 4 miles, whilst within easy reach is the bustling, historic market town of Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, ideal for shopping, sightseeing and discovering its history.
Alternatively, take the scenic coastal road towards Abbotsbury, known for its swannery where you can walk through a colony of nesting mute swans, help to feed them and even watch their eggs hatching.
Not far from Abbotsbury is the small harbour resort of West Bay, at the western tip of Chesil Beach and is also worth a visit.
Chesil Beach is a natural 18 mile long, curving pebble beach which serves as a barrier from the winter storms and stretches from West Bay to Portland.
The Isle of Portland is joined to the mainland by Chesil Beach which also provides road access. For a small island, it is packed with attractions and activities from a castle and lighthouse to water sports and hidden coves. Golf can also be found nearby. Shop, pub and restaurant 0.5 miles.£64From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Christchurch, EnglandIvy cottage is a charming period home with a stylish modern open plan interior. This is the perfect home from home ideally suited to couples looking to explore this beautiful part of Dorset. With a generous open plan kitchen/dining/ living space perfect for cooking eating drinking and relaxing, with two ground floor bedrooms and bathroom and a first floor master suite completing the accommodation. Outside is a peaceful and private garden, ideal for relaxing with a drink after a day’s exploring or maybe a spot of al fresco dining during warmer months. Ivy Cottage is nestled along a quiet country lane at the edge of The New Forest National Park and just under 5 miles away from the coast. The location makes this cottage the perfect choice for guests looking to explore the natural beauty of this charming county. The beautiful riverside town of Christchurch is just a few miles away and is home to a wide variety of independent shops, pubs and eateries and is a wonderful place to wander and explore. Whatever your reason for choosing Ivy Cottage we are sure this lovely holiday home will have you longing to return.£101From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
Bridport, EnglandThe Coach House Retreat is a loving converted coach house nestled at the heart of Burton Bradstock a truly traditional Dorset coastal village, with its picture postcard cottages, traditional village inns, Village shop and a cliff top restaurant. Did we mention its also just a 15-minute stroll to the glorious Hive Beach, just a small stretch of the Jurassic Coastline and home to a wonderful beach front Café. Having been lovingly renovated, this charming holiday home offers all the creature comforts you would expect from a modern, luxury holiday home. With three beautifully appointed bedrooms and a large open plan living space this holiday home is just perfect for friends and family to enjoy a fabulous break in this wonderful part of Dorset.
Stunning countryside walks and miles of coastline to explore you won’t need to use the car, however just over 2 miles away is the pretty Georgian town of Bridport with a wide variety of independent shops, cafés and pubs, it’s well worth a visit. Other places to visit include the pretty harbour of West Bay or why not reach new heights and climb Golden Cap, Dorset’s highest point and marvel at the stunning coastal views. If that all sounds a little tiring, so why not just simply relax at the Coach House Retreat and enjoy good conversation with some great local food and drink. Beach ¾ mile. Shop 350 yards, pub 50 yards and restaurant ½ mile.
Coach House Retreat can booked together with The Retreat (M555306) to accommodate up 17 guests.£114From price per night based on 7 night stayExplore & bookPrice Match GuaranteeDogs Stay Free
