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.

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.

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 two single-storey, semi-detached stable conversions, each for three, are in the grounds of the owners home (a Grade II listed thatched cottage dating from the 15th century) surrounded by over an acre of meadow and gardens, overlooking the River Stour and Newton Mill. Situated in the hamlet of Newton on the outskirts of Sturminster Newton, between the historic towns of Sherborne and Blandford, and just south of Shaftsbury, they are an excellent holiday base to explore the rolling countryside of Dorset and the south coast. There are many historic houses within easy driving, in particular Stourhead House and Gardens (National Trust), Kingston Lacey (National Trust), Athelhampton, Sherborne Castle and Fiddleford Manor (English Heritage), or one can explore the delightful Dorset south coast between Weymouth and Bournemouth, taking in Lulworth Cove, Swanage and Poole with their many attractions. Weymouth with its beach, fishing, windsurfing, yachting and Sea Life Centre is well worth a visit, perhaps calling in at the Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World near Wool. Or inland perhaps a day at the Wincanton Races or up to the enchanting Glastonbury Tor for some scenic walking. Shop ½ miles, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

These two single-storey, semi-detached stable conversions, each for three, are in the grounds of the owners home (a Grade II listed thatched cottage dating from the 15th century) surrounded by over an acre of meadow and gardens, overlooking the River Stour and Newton Mill. Situated in the hamlet of Newton on the outskirts of Sturminster Newton, between the historic towns of Sherborne and Blandford, and just south of Shaftsbury, they are an excellent holiday base to explore the rolling countryside of Dorset and the south coast. There are many historic houses within easy driving, in particular Stourhead House and Gardens (National Trust), Kingston Lacey (National Trust), Athelhampton, Sherborne Castle and Fiddleford Manor (English Heritage), or one can explore the delightful Dorset south coast between Weymouth and Bournemouth, taking in Lulworth Cove, Swanage and Poole with their many attractions. Weymouth with its beach, fishing, windsurfing, yachting and Sea Life Centre is well worth a visit, perhaps calling in at the Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World near Wool. Or inland perhaps a day at the Wincanton Races or up to the enchanting Glastonbury Tor for some scenic walking. Shop ½ miles, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

This pair of charming 200-year-old cottages are peacefully located by an historic church, enjoying stunning country views. Set on a working farm in a tiny unspoilt village, visitors are welcome to explore the farm and wonderful walks over 60 acres of fields and woodland, abundant with birds and other wildlife. Beach, golf and coastal walking at West Bay, 6 miles. Shop and restaurant 1.5 miles, pub serving food 350 yards.

Nestling in beautiful countryside just 12 miles from West Bay, these comfortable lodge style properties offer an ideal base from which to explore the Jurassic Coast and glorious landscape inland. Along with five caravans tucked into a field with grazing sheep behind them, they are within a short drive of the Abbotsbury Swannery, 5 miles, and subtropical gardens, and Weymouth, 7 miles, with its traditional seaside delights, beaches and sealife centre. Monkey World, the Bovington Tank Museum, Corfe Castle, the fascinating Maize Maze, Lulworth Cove, the Cerne Abbas Giant and historic town of Dorchester are among easily accessible attractions. Shop 0.5 miles, pub serving food 1 mile.

These delightful holiday cottages are set in the peaceful conservation village of Puncknowle, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Jurassic Coast is just 1½ miles away with superb scenic walking. Each cottage is finished to a high standard offering very comfortable holiday accommodation and is set in the same smart courtyard area as the owners’ homes. The ‘chocolate-box’ village of Burton Bradstock is 3 miles with a good small beach. Abbotsbury, along the coast, has its famous swannery and sub-tropical garden. Further east is the Victorian seaside town of Weymouth, with Blue Flag beach, sea fishing, windsurfing, Sealife Centre and two RSPB nature reserves. Monkey World and the Tank Museum near Wool are great places for a family day out. Dorchester, the county town also known as Thomas Hardy’s ‘Casterbridge’ is 30 minutes’ drive and has a lively weekly market and beautiful Maiden Castle. To the west is the market town of Bridport which was Thomas Hardy’s ‘Port Bredy’ and has the twice weekly market as featured in the popular TV programme River Cottage. The picturesque harbours of West Bay are a great place for fishing. Lyme Regis is an attractive seaside resort which enjoys a dramatic setting with high cliffs, landslips and handsome harbour, known as The Cobb. Both Lyme Regis and Charmouth are renowned for their prehistoric fossils which are displayed in the local museum and on sale in the fossil shops. Local pub serving good food 250 yards.

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.

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.