Dog-friendly Hotels 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.

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.

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.

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.

Norden House is a beautiful, detached Georgian farmhouse and is the ideal location for you and your family or friends to get together. There is a spacious dining room for everyone to have dinner together, and a large living area which can be split into two by closing the French doors between. The downstairs bedroom has facilities for the less mobile and an en-suite wet room. Upstairs are four double bedrooms and two twin rooms, all of which are also en-suite.
Outside the property are large lawned grounds containing a fantastic pavilion, which has an outstanding fire pit, making it a suitable place to relax in all year round. There is enough seating for 14 guests inside, and further seating on the patio if you wish to be outside enjoying the weather.
Located within the Norden Farm Estate, which is a working farm open to the public, is a well-stocked farm shop where you can buy all your essentials, as well as local produce. Norden House is situated just outside of the village of Corfe Castle, known as the gateway to the Purbecks. This pretty village offers a pub and a variety of local shops; it is also known for the National Trust Site featuring the 100-year-old ruins of Corfe Castle. You can take a steam train from the village to the seaside town of Swanage with its sandy beaches, fish and chip shops and beachfront arcade.
There are many days out nearby including Bovington Tank Museum, Durlston Country Park and Monkey World. You can visit the UNESCO Heritage Jurassic Coast with the popular destinations such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. There are also fantastic coastal walks with breathtaking views, and if you search in the right places, you may find a fossil or two. It is the perfect holiday home for your celebrations. Beach 6 miles. Shop 50 yards, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Foxglove is the WOW factor, this brand new larger than standard shepherds hut has had no expense spared when building. From the moment you see it to the first step it you will be amazed. Taking the short walk from the carpark through the garden you are welcomed to a stunning garden space with bench seat, BBQ/Fire pit and sail to keep you cool on those stunning summer days. 3 Steps directly leads you into the shepherds hut where you will find a fitted kitchen with fridge, oven with electric hob, and breakfast bar. The seating area is well positioned directly in front of the electric wood burner with views across the open countryside.
The bedroom area offers a raised king-size bed and the shower room is located at the rear here you have a cubicle shower, toilet, basin and Heated towel rail. The Wessex Ridgeway Trail nearby is a magnificent ridge-top route crossing Dorset’s rural heartland and is suitable for walking and cycling. The local pub is a 5-minute walk from Foxglove, which is open Thursday until Sunday lunchtime. There are also a variety of excellent pubs within a short drive of the property. There are many places to visit nearby in Blandford, there is the Royal Signals Museum, The Blandford Fashion Museum and a brewery which offers tours, as well as local shops, cafés and restaurants. There is a variety of National Trust sites within easy reach, including Kingston Lacy House, Badbury Rings, Hod Hill, Hardy’s Cottage and the Cerne Abbas Giant. You can explore the New Forest National Park with its free roaming ponies and visit Cranborne Chase with its diverse landscape.
You can head towards the coast to visit the scenic Jurassic Coast and spend the day wandering the cliffs along Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. The coast is a 35-minute drive. The whole family can enjoy a day at the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm, where you take have a horse drawn carriage ride, feed the farm animals or ride the ponies. Further afield, you can explore Shaftesbury, Poole, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Dorchester. More activities in the area include walking or cycling along the North Dorset Trailway or 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. Shop 2 miles, pub 880 yards (open Thurs-Sun).