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Who’s ready for some summer staycation inspiration? This round-up of unique Airbnb offerings in Dorset is the IDEAL place to start planning your next getaway to the best county in England!
From castles and luxury motor cruisers, to converted train carriages and quirky campervans… there are some truly unique and unusual places to stay in Dorset listed on Airbnb these days. You could stay in a cosy beach hut on a beautiful sandbank, or try glamping on a working farm, surrounded by free-roaming sheep. There’s truly something for everyone on this list!
RELATED POST: 12 Secluded Dorset Glamping Spots for your Next Getaway
16 Unique Dorset Airbnb Stays
Stay in a Castle Airbnb in Dorset, Swanage
OK – if you’re looking for the ultimate, blowout Airbnb in Dorset, I think I have it! A mile from sandy beaches of Swanage lies the magnificent Newton Manor House. This 17th–century listed building could be your very own castle for one hell of a unique holiday. With 8 bedrooms providing sleeping for 16 – or more – guests, 9 bathrooms (!), and an epic dining room with seating for 16… you certainly won’t be short on space!
Downstairs, the decor is dramatic and traditional; lot’s of dark wood panelling, period fireplaces, and carved doors. A true castle! But the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms are all light and modern, so you have the best of both worlds.
RELATED POST: 12 Stunning Dorset Holiday Homes with Hot Tubs
Double Decker Bus, Sturminster Marshall
Accommodation doesn’t get much more unique than a double-decker bus, does it? This amazing Double-Decker Bus just outside of Bournemouth is one of the more unusual Dorset Airbnb stays. Bertie is a 3-bedroom bus set in a peaceful location with amazing views of the surrounding countryside. There’s a BBQ and firepit to help you make the most of the great outdoors, as well as ample space for sports and games. Mains electricity and running water also mean you’re not exactly slumming it while you get away from it all!
Floating Tree Sphere, Sturminster Newton
Next up on this list of unique Airbnb properties in Dorset is something very quirky. This small-but-cosy Floating Tree Sphere hanging from a tree in the Dorset countryside looks totally idyllic. And those consistently high reviews speak for themselves! It’s peaceful and “purposefully basic”, so you can switch it off for a couple of nights and relax.
But the little wooden sphere is also kitted out with everything you could possibly need for a getaway. There’s mains power, heating, a stereo, and a basic kitchen with a double hob, as well as an outdoor toilet and showers. Oh – and there’s also a fire-pit and BBQ outside. Not to mention some incredible, far-reaching views.
Converted Railway Carriage, Chideock
The term “unique” may not be as applicable here as you might think, as surprisingly enough there are actually three converted train carriages you can stay in across the county! But this stunning Railway Carriage near the coast at Chideock is definitely pretty quirky. A small, rustic railway wagon, cosily kitted out with everything you could need for a getaway. Including a lovely log-burner to keep you warm at night and heat up the hot chocolate!
The Red Train Carriage, Swanage
For a more train-like feel, head to this incredible Red Train Carriage, which sits beside the tracks of the working steam railway at Swanage. The owners believe it was built in about 1858 for GER as a 2nd class passenger carriage – although it was just a shell, without seating, when they bought it. During the refurbishment, they retained as many original features as possible, whilst still creating a lovely, comfy space for a truly unique getaway.
Lighthouse Cottage, Swanage
Also in Swanage, you’ll find two stunning holiday cottages at a historic lighthouse. Anvil Point Lighthouse was built in 1881 in the grounds of what is now Durleston Country Park. Veronica Cottage is a beautifully appointed, modern holiday home with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and sleeping for up to 6 guests. Not to mention some truly exceptional views of the ocean and the stunning Dorset coastline.
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Lapland Lodge, Harman’s Cross
Unique and cosy Lapland Lodge where guests sleep in sleeping bags with silk liners on top of soft cushions and sheepskins (all provided). Lodge is fitted with electricity, 2 heaters and in a separate cabin, a WC and a Belfast sink with hot & cold water BUT no shower. Candles, lanterns and fairy lights give the lodge that very romantic touch.
Lapland Lodge B&B
Luxury Motor Cruiser, Poole Quay
Fancy staying on a luxury boat for a few nights? This Luxury Motor Cruiser Airbnb, moored in Pool Quay Marina, offers a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous! Although it’s marina-based, the boat’s position offers fabulous views of Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. And you can easily hop ashore to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Poole Quay, so you have the best of both worlds!
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Treehouse Eco Lodge, Dewlish
Indulge all your childhood fantasies with a stay at this stunning treehouse in the heart of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Tree-Tops Eco Lodge is a cosy oak-shingle-clad log cabin surrounded by three floors of elevated decking.
The decor is absolutely stunning, with everything you could need for a comfortable stay – whilst still being surrounded by nature and truly cut off from it all. Throw in a log burner, as well as a log-fired hot tub, and you have the ultimate cabin getaway in Dorset. Dreamy!
READ MORE: Stay in a Treehouse in Dorset at Mallinson’s Woodland Retreat
Magic Bus RV, Owermoigne
I love the look of the Magic Bus RV – a vintage bus situated in the grounds of a 13th-century moated manor house! The bus has cute, retro decor, retaining plenty of its original features: including the steering wheel and windscreen wipers. There’s also a log burning stove and cooking facilities. And there’s a huge communal garden – complete with a treehouse, trampoline, tractor tyre climbing tower, and fire pit – so this adorable bus is an ideal stay for families.
Yurt with Stunning Views, Bridport
Our beautiful hand-painted Mongolian yurt has its own field and amazing decking with fabulous views across my farm, without a house or road in site… What makes it so special is it’s an amazing WINTER and summer break; the wood burner keeps the 20ft space so warm and toasty!
The yurt is located in the stunning Marshwood Vale in 180 acres in west Dorset on our old fashioned working farm… At different times of the year you may be sharing your field with my very friendly spring lambs or Angus calves
Yurt hosted by Lydia
Converted Railway Wagon, Marshwood
This Converted 30ft Railway Wagon near Marshwood is perfect for train lovers. It’s been beautifully refurbished into a lovely little cabin with room for up to 4 guests. The wagon is also fully equipped with a small kitchenette, full size shower, and flushing toilet. There’s even a small TV with a DVD player. So this is definitely a few steps up from some of the more rustic glamping options out there! But it still feels like getting away from it all, especially as the wagon is set on 12 acres of fields where sheep, hens and ducks roam freely.
The Pink Tower, Salisbury
A self-contained hilltop retreat with stunning panoramic rural views. The Pink Tower is a wooden octagonal building attached to the owner’s cottage on a working farm (pigs, sheep, arable). Set a quarter of a mile along the ancient OxDrove renowned for beautiful walks, it is situated right on the borders of Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire.
The Pink Tower – Broad Chalke
Monty the Motorhome, Sturminster Marshall
You’ll struggle to find a much more unique Dorset Airbnb than this one. Monty the Motorhome is a one of a kind renovated Retro American RV, covered from head to toe (or should I say tyre to top?) in fake grass! It’s surrounded by nature on a beautiful farm outside Sturminster Marshall, near Bournemouth. So this quirky little campervan is the perfect place to get away from it all.
Mudeford Beach Hut, Bournemouth
Just outside of Christchurch, and overlooked by Hengistbury Head, Mudeford Sandbank is home to a strip of the most expensive beach huts in the UK. One recently went on sale for £280,000! If you don’t have that kind of cash to splash, you can get a glimpse of beach hut life at Tearaway.
This cute little yellow-painted hut features bi-fold doors opening up onto a front deck, with views across the sea to The Needles on the Isle of Wight. Perfect for watching the sunrise over the sea. There’s a small kitchen, but no bathroom. However, you’ll have access to the nearby Hut Owners’ private toilet and shower block, which is clean and high-quality. And with a beautiful white-sand beach as your back garden, this is an idyllic coastal getaway in Dorset.
RELATED POST: Bournemouth Beach Lodges Review – Stay in a Beach Hut in Bournemouth!
Luxurious Shepherd’s Hut, Worth Matravers
Snuggle up in this cosy, converted Shepherd’s Hut on the Dorset coast. This one is a rare Airbnb Plus listing, so you know it’s really good. And with its stunning decor and exceptional facilities, this cute little blue-grey hut clearly deserves its consistently high reviews. There’s a kitchenette, full bathroom, and cosy double bed, as well as a small private garden complete with BBQ. Oh, and you can throw open the French doors in the morning for a view of the sea. Perfect for a glamping getaway enjoying the Dorset coastline.
There are loads of Shepherd’s Huts in Dorset listed on Airbnb, so take your pick! Here are a few of the top-rated:
- Purbeck Shepherd’s Hut, Chapmans Pool
- Studland Shepherd’s Hut, Studland
- Roy’s Retreat Shepherd’s Hut, West Lulworth
- The Seaside Shepherd’s Hut, West Bexington
If you stay in any of these amazing Dorset Airbnbs, be sure to let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear about your trip!
