Dog Friendly Holidays Dorset

In a fine location in the scenic Marshwood Vale, midway between the popular and picturesque seaside resort of Lyme Regis and Bridport, on the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast and only 3 miles from the quaint seaside resort of Charmouth, these three holiday cottages, situated on a working beef farm, offer comfortable accommodation and a great location to enjoy the best of West Dorset. Stable Cottage, (ref 14804) is a detached honey coloured cottage looking out over the courtyard, Foxglove, (ref 25230) comprises of a single storey barn conversion with a couple of steps up to the living/dining room/kitchen and 2nd bedroom, and Bluebell Cottage (ref 26933) is split-level 3 floor accommodation; and all of these holiday properties can be booked independently or together. All have a small patio area. There is wonderful scenic walking from the doorstep into the Marshwood Vale and on the coast some stunning scenery overlooking the whole of Lyme Bay from Portland down to Torquay and, not for the faint hearted, walking up to the top of Golden Cap - the highest point on England’s South coast with breath taking views. Guests can enjoy this beautiful stretch of coast, taking in some fossil hunting, boating, swimming, and golf nearby. Explore the many little seaside resorts such as West Bay, Eype, Sidmouth, Beer and Seaton and in particular Lyme Regis with its traditional harbour, famous Cob and variety of little shops. Further afield within easy driving is Weymouth with its Blue Flag sandy beach, Sealife centre, Time Walk and many other family attractions or going west, days out at Exeter with its cathedral, catacombs, shops and restaurants. Going inland explore this pleasant part of Dorset, taking in Beaminster, Broadwindsor, and Forde Abbey and Gardens. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Set in the grounds of the owner’s home, in rolling West Dorset countryside between the quaint historic abbey town of Sherborne and the market town of Dorchester, this spacious, single-storey barn conversion for two, with beams, is an ideal holiday location for lovely country walks, golf, and village pubs to wine and dine in, or for exploring many historic houses and attractions nearby and days out visiting the World Heritage Coast or Bath. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.

Formerly the village forge, this cosily renovated and well furnished holiday hideaway nestles in the sleepy village of Lower Wraxall. It adjoins another cottage and is set opposite the owners’ farmhouse, in a ½ acre of private, partly wooded garden leading down to a stream. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there is an abundance of wildlife to be found locally; footpaths and bridleways, making it a perfect location for exploring deep into the Dorset countryside. There is good access across Eggardon Hill to the World Heritage coastline at Burton Bradstock or to the harbour and beaches of West Bay. Also within easy reach are Sherborne, Bridport, Yeovil and county town of Dorchester. Breakfast and evening meals can be provided by prior arrangement. Shop 1 mile.

Situated in open farmland, looking out onto gorgeous rolling hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Within a few minutes’ drive are a country pub, a heated indoor swimming pool with sauna, golf, and the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury with its famous Gold Hill, abbey ruins, shopping and cafes. Within driving distance are Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Corfe Castle, Stonehenge, Longleat, Stourhead and numerous other places of interest.

Oak Lodge is a detached property situated in a residential area just 3 miles from the sea front with its pier and award-winning beach. Attractively furnished offering spacious holiday accommodation and a good size secluded garden. A short stroll from the lodge takes you to a local Nature Reserve of 40 acres. Bournemouth can be enjoyed by all with the Town gardens, Oceanarium, many shops, bars and restaurants. A short drive to the New Forest with its famous wild ponies, or head for the Purbecks and enjoy coastal walks and pretty villages. Shops and pubs within 350 yards.

Situated in a courtyard of similar properties, these comfortable cottages are adjacent to the owners home and 8 acres of land, in the heart of the Blackdown Vale, an AONB, where the countryside is alive with deer, buzzards and pheasants, and just 4 miles south of Shaftesbury, where the famous Gold Hill is located. Nearby there is golf, gymnasium, fishing, 1 mile, and cycle paths and walking. Within easy driving, the historic towns of Blandford and Salisbury. Visit Longleat House and Safari Park, 22 miles, Stourhead House and Gardens, Kingston Lacey and Yeovil Air Museum, and the New Forest, where ponies roam, and the popular South Coast seaside resorts of Weymouth, 25 miles, Bournemouth and Poole, 22 miles. Stabling at cost by prior arrangement. Shops 3½ miles, pub 2 miles.

Situated in Weston in the heart of Portland, this semi-detached holiday home for four is ideally suited for exploring this scenic area, along with Weymouth and Dorchester with their many attractions. The family pets are very welcome and we provide a dog crate, dog towels and blankets, as well as an outdoor tap. Home to the National Sailing Academy, visitors can enjoy many watersports in and around Weymouth harbour, be it windsurfing, sailing, boating, fishing or swimming off Weymouth’s sandy beach. The World Heritage Jurassic Coast stretches along the Chesil Beach to the beautiful fishing port of Lyme Regis or towards Pool and Swanage, taking in Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Relax in Weymouth itself and sample many of its restaurants, visit Brewer’s Quay, take a harbour cruise or even venture out for a day trip on the ferry to Guernsey, you will have much to enjoy. Beach 1 mile. Shop, pub and restaurant ¼ mile.

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.

Less than 2 miles from the popular seaside town of Charmouth, and boasting spectacular, far-reaching panoramic views, these three properties (refs UKC3748, UKC3749 and UKC3750) are located in a superb location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, overlooking Marshwood Vale rolling countryside. Ideal for families and couples, they are suitable for all ages and there is something for everyone! Smiths Farm is around 200 years old, and the friendly owners live on-site, ready to give their guests a warm welcome. It used to be a small farm owned by the local blacksmith. Adjoining one another, The Smithy and The Stables are cosy cottage conversions of the old stable and hayloft. The Barn is a single-storey barn renovation, situated adjacent to the owners’ farmhouse, and has a sumptuous feel and high vaulted beamed ceilings. There are two en-suite bedrooms, and an additional shower room off the living room, which is useful for any guests who wish to use the comfortable sofa bed.
The properties are close to some of the most popular seaside resorts in Dorset including Lyme Regis, West Bay, Charmouth and Bridport. Charmouth is the nearest, which also has a local supermarket, pubs, eateries and a fantastic beach! Charmouth and the Jurassic Coastline have some of the most beautiful and accessible coastline in the UK, with spectacular fossil rich beaches. The area between Charmouth and nearby Lyme Regis is the only UK entry into the National Geographic 21 Best Beaches in the world 2017! There are also rolling hills and unspoilt countryside, much of which is managed by the National Trust, as well as the South West Coast Path. The popular seaside resort of Lyme Regis is less than 10 minutes’ drive away; it is an ancient town featuring in the Domesday Book and is home to historic Cobb and bustling harbour, great gastronomy, historical landmarks and educational attractions. Axminster is also nearby, which has excellent rail links to London and Exeter, as well as a thriving artistic community and great birdwatching on the mudflats.
Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from one of the many scenic walks for keen amblers including Charmouth to Seatown, or a shorter walk from Charmouth to Fitzpaine, the Golden Cap Estate (National Trust) and The Undercliffe at Lyme Regis. You can also enjoy golf, fossil hunting, swimming, fishing, kite flying, sailing, Lyme rib boat rides, West Bay Canoes and many other water sports.
Popular attractions within easy driving distance include Pecorama, a model railway with a light railway and indoor play area, gardens and cafés; Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and Abbotsbury Swannery; Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium; Axe Valley Wildlife, and Seaton Tramway. Also worth a visit is Corfe Castle, which has a rich and ancient history as well as the most evocative ruined castles in England. The famous cobbled Gold Hill and abbey ruins in Shaftesbury, the Iron Age hill fort of Maiden Castle in Dorchester, and the amphitheatre at Maumbury Rings are also popular attractions. Dorset also offers magnificent gardens and historic houses, as well as stately homes, and a wide range of events ranging from family fun and entertainment for all ages, interesting craft and antique fairs, village fetes, open air concerts and theatres. For more adventurous pastimes, you can take a guided walk along the coastal paths or through ancient woodlands, or enjoy treasure trails, beach games and water sports. Beach 1¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1¾ miles. These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 13 guests.

Blacksmith’s Cottage (ref UK10211) and Carpenters Cottage (ref UK10239) are two cottages located next door to each other in the popular area of Upwey in the Georgian seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset. They are newly built cottages, constructed in 2018, on land that was once used by the owner’s grandfather for his workshop. He could turn his hand to anything from carpentry, wheel wrights, metal works, painting and electrical. In fact there are very few if any, buildings in the village of Upwey that the owner’s grandfather has not worked on in the past. Over time the workshops had become run down and so the decision was made to redevelop the land with the construction of Blacksmith’s Cottage and Carpenters Cottage. Reflecting the owner’s grandfather’s love of carpentry and wood, the cottages are timber framed and their names have been chosen to echo the prior use of the land. Both properties offer countryside views from the front, as well as great walks. They are also on the main bus routes to explore Dorset while leaving the car behind. Weymouth itself boasts an award-winning golden sandy beach, picturesque harbour and ideally positioned along the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline. A perfect spot for couples and families wanting to explore the beautiful surrounding areas of Dorset.
The UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast is on your doorstep offering highlights such as Chesil Beach, whilst Abbotsbury, West Bay, Bridport, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are slightly further away. The Jurassic Coast is home to more than 300 coastal walks offering some breathtaking views across the 200 million year old shoreline. Dorset’s county town, Dorchester, is known as Thomas Hardy’s town and is home to Roman relics, Brewery Square and the pioneering, architectural royal develeopment of Poundbury. Take a trip to the Isle of Portland, host to the 2012 Olympic sailing events, and home to the world-famous National Sailing Academy. Chocolate box villages can be admired in many areas of Dorset. The swannery at Abbotsbury provides the opportunity to observe the resident colony of mute swans, which has been in existence since the 14th century. From late May, visitors can walk around the nesting area, observing the cygnets at close quarters. Another attraction at Abbotsbury are the sub-tropical gardens, which flourish in a site protected from the cold winds. Here you can find species rare to Britain, such as Japanese camellias and Casucasian wingnut. Other attractions close by include Monkey World, Bovington Tank Museum, Milton Abbey, Athelhampton House and the National Trust’s Corfe Castle. Slightly further afield, you can visit Swanage, Poole and Poole Quay. Poole harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, and from here you can take the ferry to Sandbanks or Brownsea Island Nature Reserve with its red squirrels. Why not also take a ferry and visit the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey? Lyme Regis is also another hot spot to visit, known locally as the ’pearl of Dorset’, and is a great place for searching for fossils found in the cliffs and along the beach. If you love golf, Dorset’s Camedown Golf Course is just 2 miles away, and where the Ryder Cup was started. Beach 4 miles. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 500 yards.
Blacksmith’s Cottage (ref UK10211) and Carpenters Cottage (ref UK10239) can be booked together to accommodate up to 8 guests.