Dog-friendly Hotels Dorset

Tucked away in the sleepy little village of Whitchurch Canonicorum, the accommodation is next door to a quiet country pub. This completely self contained wing of the owner’s house, has been pleasantly furnished and well equipped to provide an excellent base from which to explore this charming part of rural West Dorset, including the Jurassic Coastline, designated by UNESCO as England’s first natural World Heritage Site. The surrounding countryside abounds in glorious walks and wildlife, and is dotted with picturesque villages. Within a few miles lies the National Trust coastal area famous for its stunning scenery, fossil hunting and with wonderful beaches at Charmouth. The Cobb breakwater at Lyme Regis is also worth a visit. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 15 yards.

In the heart of West Dorset, on a working farm, situated in the beautiful Marshwood Vale only 2½ miles from the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast between Lyme Regis to the west and Bridport and West Bay to the east, this large, semi-detached farmhouse for twelve guests and offers a great holiday location to escape from the pressures of life and unwind in this wonderful area. Purcombe Farmhouse offers spacious accommodation for two to three families. Outside one can sit undercover and enjoy a barbecue or al fresco meal with some wine, and families can relax in the large garden with its lawn and lovely views over the Marshwood Vale. Within easy driving there is much to do; exploring the seaside resorts along this scenic coast, taking in Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Eype, West Bay, Abbotsbury and on to Weymouth and Portland Bill. Perhaps some coastal walking, maybe up to the top of Golden Cap with its fantastic views over Lyme Bay, followed by a hearty meal and refreshment in Chideock. There is swimming, fossil hunting, boating, fishing and golf along the coast or inland attractions such as Forde Abbey and Gardens, Broadwindsor Craft Centre, Yeovil Fleet Air Arm Museum, Haynes Motor Museum and so much more to have a memorable gathering, be it family or friends. Shop 3 miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Surrounded by beautiful Dorset countryside, close to the Dorset Gap, this substantial 18th-century farmhouse stands a mile from the pretty hamlet of Plush with its delightful village inn.
Retaining many original features, including ornamental fireplaces and splendid high ceilings, the property benefits from the addition of a games room in its cellar. Two comfortable living rooms, both with open fires and Freeview TV, means there’s plenty of space for everyone to relax after a busy day exploring the local area. The large, well-equipped farmhouse style kitchen is perfect for cooking a holiday feast, throw open the French doors and let the light and air spill in. With 7 bedrooms over the first and second floor, sleeping 14 guests plus up to 4 more on sofa beds, plus 6 bathrooms, this property really is a fantastic choice for a families or friends to get together and celebrate. With its own pretty, large walled garden, with lawned area and flower borders, it stands in the grounds of the owners’ 650-acre organic dairy farm; there are lovely walks from the doorstep amid the farmland.
The Dorset Gap is nearby, for walks amid stunning scenery, while sandy bays and nature reserves can be found along the World Heritage Coastline just 18 miles away. Dorchester (Thomas Hardy’s Casterbridge) is within driving distance for a wide range of attractions, including a lively weekly market, with the beautiful Maiden Castle sure to be a highlight. A trip to the charming town of Cerne Abbas, with its Tudor architecture, and the nearby Cerne Giant are also a must on any itinerary. There are good golf courses in the vicinity and a selection of excellent inns and restaurants within 7 miles, this truly is an ideal location to suit a variety of holiday needs. Shop 5 miles.
Armswell House (DQT) and The Stables (DXS) can be booked together to accommodate up to 32 guests.

The Stables is a detached stable conversion and benefits from a large, open-plan kitchen/dining-room with a high ceiling and beams, a living room with a wood-burning stove and also has its own garden with great views over the surrounding countryside. The holiday property stands in the grounds of the owners’ 650-acre organic dairy farm; there are lovely walks from the doorstep amid the farmland. The Dorset Gap is nearby for walks amid stunning scenery, while sandy bays and nature reserves can be found along the World Heritage Coastline just 18 miles away. Dorchester (Thomas Hardy’s Casterbridge) is within driving distance for a wide range of attractions, including a lively weekly market with the beautiful Maiden Castle sure to be a highlight. A trip to the charming town of Cerne Abbas with its Tudor architecture, tea rooms and the nearby Cerne Giant is also a must on any itinerary.
The seaside town of Weymouth with splendid harbour, Georgian seafront and long sandy beach makes a great day out and the ferry for day trips to the Channel Islands also leaves from the town. Just a few of the pretty Dorset villages to explore are Abbotsbury with its sub-tropical garden and swannery, Milton Abbas (the first planned settlement in England) with whitewashed thatched cottages and the 14th-century abbey, NT Corfe Castle and Lulworth with famous natural cove and over the hill to Durdle Door. There are RSPB reserves at Arne near Wareham and two at Weymouth. With good golf courses in the vicinity and a selection of excellent inns and restaurants within 7 miles, this truly is an ideal location to suit a variety of holiday needs. Shop 5 miles, pub 1 mile.

The Stables (DXS) and Armswell House (DQT) can be booked together to accommodate up to 32 guests.

This unique and enchanting property is part of the historic buildings of Cerne Abbey, formed as Benedictine House in 987 AD, overlooking the Abbey courtyard with large gardens nearby. The Abbey itself is privately owned, and guests can enjoy the grounds and wander freely. The property is in the pretty village of Cerne Abbas, famed for its dominating chalk carving of the Cerne Giant - thought to be carved in the hillside some 1500 years ago. Tucked away within the beauty of the Dorset Hills, miles of lovely walks can be enjoyed, including the village trail. Puddletown, Tolpuddle and Thomas Hardy’s picturesque Piddle Valley are within easy reach. Travelling further afield are miles of sandy beaches and some of Dorset’s Jurassic coastline. Shop and three pubs serving excellent food, 100 yards.

In a conservation area just a mile from the cliffs and sea at Dancing Ledge, this attractive and very well-equipped stone house enjoys superb views across the countryside towards Swanage Bay. Set with its own garden on the edge of the small hamlet of Acton, it has been completely renovated to a good standard throughout and includes an extension at the rear (part of which is the owners’ accommodation). Each bedroom boasts en-suite bathroom facilities and colour television making it ideal for large family groups holidaying together. Swanage (2½ miles) has a lovely sandy beach, and offers a wide variety of attractions, including shops, inns and restaurants, a theatre, and facilities for tennis and swimming. There are steam trains to the little town of Corfe Castle, and odd pieces of architecture brought from London, including the Wellington Tower on the beach, which once stood near London Bridge. The unspoilt village of Studland (4 miles) has another excellent beach (NT) and is close to woods and downs. North of the village is Studland Heath National Nature Reserve, home to a variety of wildlife ranging from wildfowl to lizards. A ferry runs from Studland across the bay to Sandbanks, from where the bay stretches on to Bournemouth. Excellent walking can be found in this area, with the coastal path running nearby along the cliffs, and the hills at Nine Barrow Down within easy reach. Riding stables at Wareham, 8 miles. Golf 4 miles. Poole and Bournemouth, both 20 miles. Shops ½ mile, three inns within a mile.

This attached holiday home, with sea views, is 300 yards from the sea, on the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Part of a Grade II listed, 250 year old watermill which was used for milling of flour years ago, Millstones is on the top floor and offers comfortable accommodation, with an en-suite bedroom. The location is excellent for exploring this popular area, with walking, fossil hunting and fishing all available locally, the area is also home to the River Cottage HQ. Nearby is the Golden Cap with panoramic views over Lyme Bay from the top. A sandy beach and harbour of West Bay are close by, as well as the beginning of the famous Chesil Beach. Within a short drive are Mapperton Gardens, Forde Abbey and the Abbotsbury Swannery, which all make wonderful days out. Shop 1 mile, pub 300 yards.

Originally part of Admiralty buildings dating from 1812, this pretty cottage conversion is a short walk from the sand and shingle beach at Seatown, ideal for fossil hunting, fishing and walking the coastal paths along the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. A short drive from the market town of Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis, this property offers a quiet location and an ideal holiday base for exploring the Dorset coast and countryside. Shop 100 yards, pub 50 yards.

Nestling in the quiet hamlet of Acton, just a mile from the sea and cliffs of delightfully named Dancing Ledge, these two charming, Grade II listed, former quarrymen’s holiday cottages enjoy their own furnished gardens. Offering cosy accommodation for couples with plenty of rustic charm (with low beams and stone fire surrounds), they occupy either end of a row of three in a conservation area, affording lovely views towards Swanage Bay and many excellent walks along coastal paths or through charming villages, three inns lie within a mile and a half. Swanage, 2½ miles, offers a lovely sandy beach together with many other attractions, including shops, restaurants and inns, a theatre and an extensive range of sports facilities. Bournemouth 25 miles. Poole 20 miles. Shops ½ mile and pub 1 mile.

In the small village of Winterborne Abbas, in west Dorset’s Hardy Country, this large, 300 year old, former guest house is conveniently located next to the main road, making an ideal base for venturing out on day trips and exploring this wonderful area. Churchview House offers great accommodation for 17 guests, which is excellent for family or group gatherings. The house offers 2 living rooms, a large dining area with open fires, and 9 bedrooms, of which 8 are en-suite, all with TV’s the other having a bathroom next door. It is in an ideal location near Dorchester (4 miles) which is the county town of Dorset, and Bridport (10 miles) and West Bay (12 miles). The amazing Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon is 5 miles with many water sports available. Travelling a short distance along the causeway, you can enjoy stunning views from Portland and the famous Portland Bill Lighthouse, all the way over to Lyme Bay, and along this famous stretch of English coastline, now designated as the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, with its superb coastal walking and scenery. Within easy driving distance, enjoy family days out at Weymouth with its stunning, award-winning sandy beach which the children will love, visit the Sea Life Adventure Park and Sea Life Tower, or perhaps try some windsurfing in Portland harbour. There are many attractions in this lovely part of the world; Dorchester has many museums, there is the Tank Museum at Bovington, Monkey World, Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Abbotsbury Swannery and Subtropical Gardens. Further west, enjoy a day out taking in the famous Cob and harbour at Lyme Regis with its beach and quaint shops. Sherborne, Poole (28 miles) and Wareham (22 miles) are also worth visiting for many further attractions. Beach 5 miles. Shop and restaurant 2½ miles, pub ¼ mile.