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.

Set in beautiful west Dorset countryside, just a short distance from the market town of Bridport, West Bay (scene of the TV series Broadchurch) on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast and the popular seaside resort of Lyme Regis, this single-storey, terrace barn conversion, for two, is excellent holiday accommodation for those wishing to enjoy some wonderful scenic coast or country walking, perhaps with the dog. The dramatic coastline stretches from Lyme Regis, all the way to Weymouth and Portland, taking in the famous Chesil Beach and Golden Cap, and has some superb little seaside resorts to explore. Inland, one will find much to enjoy ranging from Forde Abbey and Gardens, Broadwindsor Craft Centre and just over the border in Somerset, Barrington Court and Montacute House (both NT), Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum and the Haynes Classic Motor Museum. Beach 5 miles. Shop 1½ miles, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

Just 200 yards from the seafront at Weymouth, with wonderful views over the bay and onto Portland, this first floor holiday apartment for six has a compact garden, reached by a small footbridge, and offers a great location for a family holiday. From the doorstep, one can enjoy water activities from swimming, fishing, boating and wind surfing, to scenic coastal walking and many restaurants nearby. Local attractions include the Sealife Centre, Adventure Park and Tower, and Radipole Nature Reserve.

Bowleaze Cove, north east of Weymouth and near the village of Preston, is a sand and shingle beach extending to the whole of Weymouth Bay. The cove is on the Jurassic Coast and is known for its geology. Dogs are welcome from October to April only, and the sea is great for taking a dip or simply paddling. A zoned area offers watersports.

Within easy driving, take in Lulworth Cove, Lulworth Castle and on to Corfe Castle and the Swanage Railway. You can also visit Lyme Regis, explore the famous World Heritage Jurassic Coast with its spectacular scenery, taking in Abbotsbury Swannery and Tropical Gardens, or Westbay, scene of the Broadchurch TV series. Perhaps an inland visit to Monkey World, the Tank Museum at Bovington and of course Dorchester, with its many attractions too. You will have much to do for a great holiday. Beach 200 yards. Shop 400 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Manor Court Cottages are set in the picturesque village of Shipton Gorge. Within walking distance, 110 yards, are the village playing fields and pub selling the famous Palmers Ales and local food. This a fantastic location to explore the Dorset countryside and World Heritage Jurassic coastline, 1½ miles away. Whether its a family holiday, walking, bird watching, fishing, cycling or for a quiet break Manor Court Cottages are ideal. The pretty village of Burton Bradstock, 1½ miles, has a beach with a café, shop, post office, garage and pubs. The market town of Bridport, 2 miles away, has a lively and vibrant street market Saturdays and Wednesday, along with small shops, cafés, antiques and local food can be found, or pop into the museum and learn its history of rope and net making.
The picturesque harbour of West Bay is 2 miles away and was made famous by the TV drama ’Broadchurch’, while the village of Abbotsbury, 3 miles away, is popular for its swannery, sub-tropical gardens and childrens farm. Spread along the coast from Sidmouth is a host of attractions, including the Donkey Sanctuary and Beer Caves at Seaton and Axminster where you can ride on the trams or eat at the River Cottage restaurant. Into Dorset try fishing in a boat out of the cobb at Lymm Regis, fossil hunting at the museum or a walk up Golden Cap for the breathtaking views. Weymouth with its sandy beaches and Sealife Centre is well worth a visit, discover the dinosaurs at the Dorchester museum or travel back in time with a visit to Thomas Hardy’s cottage, go to war at the Bevington Tank Museum, or say ’hi’ to the monkeys at Monkey World. Enjoy a dip at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door for a sightseeing walk, explore Crofe Castle, and then all aboard the steam train at Swanage. Shops and pubs 1 mile.

Manor Court Cottages are set in the picturesque village of Shipton Gorge. Within walking distance, 110 yards, are the village playing fields and pub selling the famous Palmers Ales and local food. This a fantastic location to explore the Dorset countryside and World Heritage Jurassic coastline, 1½ miles away. Whether its a family holiday, walking, bird watching, fishing, cycling or for a quiet break Manor Court Cottages are ideal. The pretty village of Burton Bradstock, 1½ miles, has a beach with a café, shop, post office, garage and pubs. The market town of Bridport, 2 miles away, has a lively and vibrant street market Saturdays and Wednesday, along with small shops, cafés, antiques and local food can be found, or pop into the museum and learn its history of rope and net making.
The picturesque harbour of West Bay is 2 miles away and was made famous by the TV drama ’Broadchurch’, while the village of Abbotsbury, 3 miles away, is popular for its swannery, sub-tropical gardens and childrens farm. Spread along the coast from Sidmouth is a host of attractions, including the Donkey Sanctuary and Beer Caves at Seaton and Axminster where you can ride on the trams or eat at the River Cottage restaurant. Into Dorset try fishing in a boat out of the cobb at Lymm Regis, fossil hunting at the museum or a walk up Golden Cap for the breathtaking views. Weymouth with its sandy beaches and Sealife Centre is well worth a visit, discover the dinosaurs at the Dorchester museum or travel back in time with a visit to Thomas Hardy’s cottage, go to war at the Bevington Tank Museum, or say ’hi’ to the monkeys at Monkey World. Enjoy a dip at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door for a sightseeing walk, explore Crofe Castle, and then all aboard the steam train at Swanage. Shops and pubs 1 mile.

During the first half of 2018 this apartment has been renovated and improved. The garden has undergone a complete overhaul as have the majority of the rooms within the apartment. Returning guests will notice a vast difference including the relocation of the front door and the removal of the conservatory being replaced with an orangery complete with underfloor heating. This family and pet-friendly self-contained holiday apartment occupies the entire ground floor of a converted detached Victorian house. It is centrally located for exploring Bournemouth, Westbourne and Poole.
The property is the perfect base to explore the Purbeck Hills, the port of Poole, Sandbanks and the New Forest. Nearby, take boat trips to local places of interest, including the National Trust’s Brownsea Island Nature Reserve and the RSPB Nature Reserve near Poole Harbour. Fishing, watersports and golf are all available locally and for vibrant nightlife and shopping, visit Poole and Bournemouth. Attractions close by include Farmer Palmers, Monkey World, The Tank Museum, Tower Park and Tyneham Village. Beach 3½ miles. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Coastal Dream is a delightful, light and airy, single-storey detached bungalow located in a quiet residential cul-de-sac, near Christchurch and less than a mile from the sea at Mudeford. Perfect for couples, or friends and family holidaying together, and dogs are welcome too, guests will find plenty to do. Coastal Dream enjoys an enclosed lawned garden with patio and private parking for two cars, it is attractively decorated with modern furnishings offering a comfortable stay.
Mudeford itself is a charming village, Mudeford Quay, which is a former fishing village and now a suburb of the borough of Christchurch, is the entrance to Christchurch harbour and offers spectacular views out to sea, with local shops, pubs and restaurants all set in a pretty harbour area. Avon and Friars Cliffe beaches are less than one mile away, offering golden stretches of sand lined with traditional style beach huts, and is an ideal place for cycling, exploring the beaches and dog walking too, with the delightful, scenic views. Why not jump on the local ferry that takes you from Mudeford Quay across to Hengistbury Head, which is a fascinating place for its wide variety of wildlife habitats, archaeology, geology and has long sandy beaches - a perfect place to go on a sunny day.
Located within easy reach, just 15 minutes away, you also have the New Forest National Park, which is a must for anyone visiting this area for beautiful scenic walks, and to see the New Forest ponies roaming free. Bournemouth is just along the coast with great shops and beaches, as is Poole with its large natural harbour. Further afield to the west is the world famous UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, with Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Explore the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey on a day trip from Poole harbour or the Isle of Wight from Lymington. The medieval city of Salisbury and its cathedral, maritime Southampton, Stonehenge, Marwell Zoo, Monkey World, the Tank Museum, Exbury Gardens, Peppa Pig World, Winchester cathedral, Beaulieu Museum and Exbury Gardens are just a few of the places you can also visit from Coastal Dream. Other activities nearby include, horse riding, rambling, fishing, cycling, watersports, golf, swimming and browsing the art work at the local galleries. Beach 1 mile. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

This secluded cottage boasts sweeping views across the fields. Located behind a beautiful pub where the owner lives, you can still enjoy the peace and quiet in this tranquil village. There is a private patio area with French doors leading from both the living area and the spacious kitchen/dining room.
With so much to do in the area you won’t be short of places to visit, such as Monkey World and Bovington Tank Museum. Close to the Jurassic Coast, you cannot miss a visit to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Also well worth a visit is St Nicholas’ Church in Moreton, one of the few places where you can see Laurence Whistler’s stain glass windows and is also the final resting place of the adventurer Lawrence of Arabia. After your day of exploring you can come back to your tranquil holiday home and walk just around the corner for your evening meal and a drink at the pub. Beach 5¼. Shop 1 mile, adjacent to pub/restaurant.

Fossils’ End is a single-storey barn conversion, ideal for a rural retreat within the heart of the Dorset countryside. Accessed via a rough track, the property is located in Chickerell, close to the Georgian town of Weymouth, which boasts a golden sandy beach, picturesque harbour and is ideally positioned along the UNESCO Jurassic Coastline. It borders the owners’ home and is perfect for couples, family and friends who wish to enjoy the beautiful surrounding area of Dorset. The name Fossils’ End derives itself from local fossils that were found in nearby Dorset villages, which have been entwined into the barn, including a sea anemone found in Nottington and a petrified wood fossil found in nearby Charminster. The property offers an open plan living space with electric fire and French doors opening on to the front of the property with a large unspoilt garden (not enclosed). In the garden shed you will find sun loungers and patio chairs to use during your stay. The rear of the property offers some lovely Dorset countryside views and walking areas.
The UNESCO Jurassic Coastline is 3 miles away, with highlights such as Chesil Beach to explore, while Abbotsbury, West Bay, Bridport, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are slightly further away. The Jurassic Coastline is home to over 300 coastal country walks, offering some breath taking views over Dorset’s 200 million year old shoreline. The county town, known as Thomas Hardy’s town, of Dorchester, is home to Roman relics, Brewery Square and the pioneering architectural royal development of Poundbury. Take a trip to the Isle of Portland, host to the 2012 Olympic Games and home to the world famous National Sailing Academy.
Heading out west from Chickerell is a delight, where the outstanding views and ‘chocolate-box’ villages can be admired. The swannery at Abbotsbury provides the opportunity to observe the resident colony of mute swans, which has been in existence since the 14th century. From late May, visitors can walk around the nesting area, observing the cygnets at close quarters. Another attraction at Abbotsbury are the sub-tropical gardens, which flourish in a site protected from the cold winds. Here you can find species rare to Britain such as Japanese camellias and Caucasian wingnut.
It’s a great location with so many popular tourist attractions close by including Monkey World, Bovington Tank Museum and the National Trust’s Corfe Castle, all of which all make great family days out. Slightly further afield, you can visit Swanage, Poole and Poole Quay. Poole harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world and from here you can take the ferry to Sandbanks or Brownsea Island Nature Reserve with its red squirrels. Why not take the ferry for the day to visit the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey? Lyme Regis is also another hot spot to visit, known locally as the ‘Pearl of Dorset’, and is a great place for searching for fossils found in the cliffs and along the beach. Beach 3 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.

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.