Dog-friendly Hotels Dorset

Set in the unspoilt village of Bothenhampton about a mile from Bridport and the new harbour of West Bay, where the TV series ’Broadchurch’ was filmed, and its beaches. The historic rope-making town of Bridport with its twice weekly market is a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural World Heritage Site. Sweet Briar (ref 8234) and Buzzards (ref 8235, first floor) are in the east wing of an old country house and Farthings (ref 19292) is in the west. Many badgers have made their sets in the hill behind, and there is an abundance of wildlife. Perfect for relaxing or more invigorating walking holiday in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which includes extensive National Trust land. Chesil Beach, one of the finest barrier beaches, begins at West Bay. Lyme Regis with its Cobb and the famous fossil beach at Charmouth are close by. Not far away is the ancient town of Dorchester with its Iron Age hill fort and Roman town house and many other sites of historic interest. Spend a day at Abbotsbury Swannery, the only place in the world where you can walk among the baby swans (hatching from May). Golf course and leisure centre nearby. Bike hire available locally. Ideal for exploring the Jurassic Coast or for just relaxing in this tranquil village. Shop, pub and restaurant¾ mile.

Near the character abbey town of Sherborne, 2 miles, these two well-presented single-storey barn conversions with rugs on polished wooden floors, offer comfortable and spacious accommodation in a peaceful location. They are delightfully situated, and yet within 2 miles guests can be in the lovely town of Sherborne, enjoying the picturesque Blackmore Vale, or visiting many historic houses, such as Montacute, Forde Abbey, Stourhead and Longleat. Within easy driving distance of many family attractions such as the popular Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum and the Haynes Motor Museum, and days out exploring the World Heritage Coast from Weymouth to Lyme Regis, or inland central Somerset, Glastonbury Tor and the exquisite city of Bath. Shop 2 miles, country hotel with bar and food 110 yards. Can be booked together to accommodate up to 8 guests.

Seaside Cottage (UKC5932) and Coastguard Cottage (UKC5933) each feature two comfortable double bedrooms. Bedroom one has a kingsize bed that can be made up as twin beds on request, with a sea view and an en-suite shower. Bedroom 2 has a double bed with beautiful sea views. There is also a comfy double sofa bed available in the spacious open plan living area with kitchen.

The beach is just 100 or so yards walk away and this area of Southbourne is quieter than the beaches towards Boscombe and Bournemouth. It is a sandy beach with fantastic views across the ocean and toward the Isle of Wight and The Purbecks. Also within walking distance is Southbourne high street which has a selection of convenience stores, independent restaurants, shops and pubs, including is a wide variety of takeaways and cafés as well.

There are numerous places you can visit nearby including Hengistbury Head which is an area of Scientific Interest due to the abundance of wildlife. Christchurch with its , independent shops, beautiful harbour and wide range of independant shops and eateries is well worth a visit. Bournemouth is also within easy reach with high street of shops, frequent events, cinema, theatre and of course its golden sandy beaches The New Forest with its free-roaming ponies, cattle and donkeys. It is an excellent place to go walking and cycling and is just a short drive away.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 12 guests.

Marshwood 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.

These stylish renovated properties are set in a rural location and form part of a charming collection of holiday homes. These five properties (refs UK40448 UKC3108, UKC3109, UKC3334 and UK40450) stand in a semi-rural location, adjacent to horse stables and accessed along a track. These properties are ideal for couples or families, offering couple, spacious accommodation and private outdoor spaces with hot tubs. There is also a shared games room with table football, table tennis and magnetic darts, and for guests who would like to bring their horse, stabling can be arranged by prior arrangement with the owner.

Many thoughtful and personal touches have been added, such as books, family games and a record player with a large selection of vinyl records. All of the rooms have a sumptuous feel, with careful co-ordination, very high levels of comfort and design. The bedrooms are all themed with feature wallcovering to one wall, using beautiful interior design. Also, all guests have shared access to a ’chill out’ room, outdoor table tennis, a playhouse, slide, boules, outdoor large chess set, badminton net, 5-a-side football – there really is something for all age groups!

The properties lie on the National Cycle Network, and this area is known for its scenic walks and wildlife. There is a direct gravel track along the Castleman Trailway (the old railway line) to miles of woodland walks making this ideal for walkers and cyclists. One route leads to a pub, Chinese restaurant and golf course (all within 20-minute flat walk).

Cranborne Chase and the Jurassic coastline (Purbecks, Swanage and Wareham) are within easy reach, the latter being a nationally protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers extensive scenic walks and a wealth of wildlife. Wimborne is a market town with a historic town trail taking in the buildings ranging from the 15th to 17th centuries. Here you will also find the popular Tivoli theatre, model town, coffee houses, shops, market and restaurants. The sandy beaches at Bournemouth and Poole are just 10 miles away and Sandbanks, Studland Bay and the Poole Natural Reserve are within easy reach. National Trust properties Kingston Lacy Estate, Badbury Rings and Brownsea Island are a short distance away. Beach 10 miles. Shop 1½ miles, Please note: Fireworks are not allowed in the garden or grounds of this property due to livestock and horses nearby.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 34 guests.

Welcome to Holly Hedge Farm, a wonderful collection of properties that we’re certain everyone won’t be able to get enough of!
Dorset has something for everyone. Close to the property, you will find Lytchett Matravers with local shops, pubs and restaurants. Further afield is the famous Dorset Jurassic Coastline. You will need more than a day to explore places like Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Lyme Regis and are all worth the visit. From award winning beaches to attractions such as boat trips and water sports the whole family will enjoy themselves. Poole Harbour is approx. 15-minute drive from Holly Hedge Farm which lays claim to the title of the second largest natural harbour in the world after Port Jackson, Sydney, this is a place of natural beauty with trips running daily to the famous Brownsea Island. Keep the eyes peeled for a red squirrel. For the golfer among us Bulbury Woods Golf Club is approximately 1-minute drive from the property where you will find a tree lined course for all abilities to enjoy. Back to the property is where to make more memories around the wood burner and outside enjoying the end of the summer sun. Beach 7 miles. Pub and restaurant 2 miles.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 19 guests.

The Retreat is a semi-detached, Grade II listed, stunning five bedroom country house nestled at the heart of the pretty Dorset Village of Burton Bradstock. Set just ½ mile from Hive Beach, on the world heritage Jurassic Coast, it’s perfectly located between Weymouth and Lyme Regis. The house itself is perfect for large family groups with stylish and flexible accommodation over three floors. The social hub is a large kitchen/dining room and is perfect to relax, cook and enjoy each other’s company. The stylishly furnished living room is the perfect space in which to relax after a busy day exploring.
The village of Burton Bradstock is a beautiful place to explore, with village inns, a restaurant and a superb café directly on Hive Beach. A little further afield is the harbour settlement of West Bay which is a spectacular place to while away a few hours. The pretty harbour has a back drop of stunning sandstone cliffs and beautiful beaches.
The Market towns of Dorchester and Bridport are a short drive away and offer a wide variety of independent shops and eateries. This luxury holiday home will have you enchanted from the moment you step inside, and will have you longing to return.
The Retreat can be booked together with Coach House Retreat (UK32202) to accommodate up to 17 guests.

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.

Enjoying a great location in the grounds of the owner’s home, these charming properties (UKC3990 and UKC1812) are accessed via a farm track and are in a lovely peaceful location away from it all. Situated on the border of Somerset and Dorset, making these properites ideal for enjoying both counties.
Nearby is a wealth of attractions including Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum, the Haynes Motor Museum with its classic collections of cars, Forde Abbey and Gardens and a few nature reserves. Visit historical houses such as Montacute or the scenic World Heritage Jurassic Coast and seaside resorts of Lyme Regis, West Bay and Weymouth.
Inland you can visit the ever popular Clarks Factory Village, the enchanting Glastonbury Tor and Abbey, the cathedral cities of Wells and Bath, and the amazing Cheddar Gorge and caves. On your return, relax and enjoy a barbecue in this peaceful location, or take a country walk with the dog. Within easy driving distance there is golf, fishing and many country village pubs to wine and dine in. Beach 13 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 8 guests.

These holiday properties enjoy a rural setting and are located just 2 miles from Blandford Forum.
Places nearby to visit include Wimborne’s Model Town and Gardens, which is a scale model of how the town looked in the 1950’s, and Blandford Forum, with the Royal Signals Museum, The Blandford Fashion Museum and a brewery which offers tours, as well as shops, cafés and restaurants. National Trust sites within easy reach include Kingston Lacy House, Hod Hill, Hardy’s Cottage and the Cerne Abbas Giant.
Explore the New Forest National Park with its free roaming ponies, or visit the scenic Jurassic Coast and spend the day wandering the cliffs along Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Children will love the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm, where you can enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride, feed the farm animals and ride the ponies. Further afield, you can explore Shaftesbury, Poole, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Dorchester.
Activities in the area include cycling along the North Dorset Trailway and golf at nearby Ashley Wood. More exhilarating sports can be found at Gorcombe Extreme Sports, which has an assault course, archery, go karting and paintballing. Beach 18 miles. Shop 2½ miles, pub 2 miles and restaurant 1½ miles.