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.

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.

Located only 8½ miles from the centre of Bournemouth, Fortis House is a great base for large groups of families or friends to book an exciting mid-week getaway together in the wonderful south coast county of Dorset. Travel down a long private country road and arrive at the gates into the sweeping driveway, with ample parking for up to five cars.
Relax or party with your friends and family in this secluded property, which is also dog-friendly, with its huge 2-acre gardens, outdoor swimming pool (available summer season only) and six-seater hot tub. This venue is very private and peaceful with no nearby residents to worry about during your holiday time.
The property can sleep up to 22 guests, across five bedrooms, and there are three bathrooms, large kitchen and dining areas, a utility room and games room. There is a Sky TV service in the living room, including Sky Cinema and Sky Sports, free superfast Wi-Fi is provided and the table football and American pool table in the games room will provide great entertainment and memories. Beach 8½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1¼ miles.

Situated on a 300-acre working sheep and beef farm in the beautiful surroundings of the north west Dorset countryside, and only 5 miles south of the delightful abbey town of Sherborne, these three holiday homes offer a great location to get away from it all. The Farmhouse (UKC2911), which sleeps up to twelve guests, and the smaller wing of the property, Churchill Cottage (ref DQR), which sleeps six guests, have an interconnecting door allowing for both to be booked together (sleeping 18 guests) or independently. Standing detached is The Stables (ref DSG) which sleeps five guests.

The Farmhouse and Churchill Cottage have interesting historical connections, having once been owned by John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough and the highwayman John Clavell respectively. The Farmhouse offers its own games room with a pool table, and a dining area seating 18, although all three properties have use of a shared outside games room. The properties also have use of the coarse fishing lake, 100 yards away.

The properties are ideal for a family or groups who might wish to get away from it all, and their location lends itself for some fine country walking and cycling. Visit Sherborne with its abbey, castle, fine character shops, cafés and inns. Within easy driving there are also many historic houses, such as Montacute House and Gardens and Stourhead House and Gardens to name just two. For family outings Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum and the Haynes Motor Museum, with its fascinating classical car collection, are worth a visit, and slightly further afield, the ever popular Longleat House and Safari Park is great for a day out.

The south coast resorts of Weymouth, West Bay and Lyme Regis, on the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast, beckon, with plenty of water activities to enjoy, or going inland to south Somerset, one can take in the Clarks Village Outlet, Glastonbury Tor and the very popular Roman city of Bath with its many tourist attractions. Nearby, visit Cerne Abbas, famed for its chalk giant on the hillside, and just beyond is Dorchester, the county town with its many museums. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.
Churchill Cottage (ref DQR), The Stables (ref DSG) and The Farmhouse (ref UKC2911) can be booked together to accommodate up to 23 guests.

This beautiful Victorian house, situated in 30-acre grounds, and is a small vineyard, close to the Georgian market town of Blandford, makes a great home from home for families or groups to enjoy Dorset. The property offers a small, outdoor heated swimming pool, a hot tub for 6 and a tennis court to enjoy at your leisure. Downward Vineyard has eight spacious bedrooms, all with TVs and three with en-suite facilities, and also boasts two wonderful living rooms, both leading into the large conservatory. There is also a large games room with a pool table and table football for all to enjoy, or why not go outside and play croquet in the garden?
Set in 30 acres of what used to be a vineyard, you can wander around the grounds, relax in the pool or hot tub, burn off some energy on the tennis court or have a barbecue for all to enjoy. Ashley Wood 18 hole golf course is accessible along a bridle way from within the grounds or would be a 2-minute drive from the property. Within easy driving, you can exploring Shaftesbury, Wimborne, Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland, making Downwood Vineyard a good base for taking in the best the county has to offer. Slightly further afield you can visit the popular Isle of Purbeck, with its rugged and picturesque coastline, or take a ride on the Swanage Steam Railway, with its 6 miles of track going through scenic Dorset countryside. There are many family attractions nearby, enjoy a day at Monkey World, the Bovington Tank Museum, historic houses such as Kingston Lacy, Milton Abbey and Althelhampton, or the sandy beaches at Sandbanks, Bournemouth, Weymouth and Poole. Beach 18 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This comfortable and welcoming, thatched, detached former farmhouse dates back to 1750, and has many features such as beams, low lintels and sloping floors. The main house has two living rooms and a dining room which seats up to 18. There is also an indoor swimming pool and a games room, making it ideal for family gatherings and celebrations. The old creamery, located in a separate building next to the main house, has been converted into an annexe with an additional two en-suite bedrooms, and still has the exposed stone walls and floors! From the farmhouse gardens there are far-reaching views over countryside and rolling hills and it is conveniently located for trips to Lyme Regis, West Bay and Bridport. There is a local bus service for those wishing to explore the area without using the car. Park Farmhouse is located on the coast road in the heart of the charming historic village of Chideock with a pub and restaurant a couple of doors away. Julia Bradbury’s ‘Best Walks With A View’ includes a walk which encircles Park Farmhouse. A popular farm shop is about a mile away with outside seating with glorious views over the National Trust land and the famous Golden Cap which is the highest point on the south coast!

Steeped in history, Chideock was recorded in the Domesday Book as Cidihoc. In 1379-80, John de Chideock, a manorial lord, built Chideock Castle, just north of the village. During the Middle Ages, ownership passed to the Catholic Arundell family, who used it to provide refuge for priests and loyal followers during subsequent persecution. In 1802 the Arundells were succeeded by the Weld family of Lulworth Castle who in 1810, built Chideock Manor. Park Farmhouse once served the occupants of the manor for many years with cream from the creamery.

The stunning and dramatic Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site covering 96 miles of coastline and is less than a mile away at Seatown. It is also known for its fossil hunting. The beaches of West Bay and Lyme Regis have a traditional feel with gift shops, tea rooms, inns and restaurants. Lyme Regis with The Cobb and harbour was the setting for the filming of The French Lieutenant’s Woman. More recently, Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ and Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far from The Madding Crowd’ were both filmed here. Renowned TV chef Mark Hix has an Oyster and Fish House in Lyme Regis. There are other pretty villages such as Beer and Branscombe within easy reach or you may wish to visit the numerous stately homes and gardens in the area. You can also discover Dorset’s sandy bays, rugged hill top walks and tiny coves. Fishing is available locally. Beach ¾ mile. Shop 240 yards, pub and restaurant 50 yards.