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Plan the ultimate self-catering escape to Dorset with these fabulous holiday cottages.
From tranquil rural retreats in the Dorset countryside to historic harbourside cottages and chic seaside apartments, there are plenty of amazing holiday homes dotted around Dorset.
I’ve teamed up with Classic Cottages to showcase some of the best holiday cottages in Dorset. Classic Cottages has a fantastic range of charming holiday homes in Dorset – as well as the rest of the UK.
All the properties are carefully selected according to Classic’s exacting standards, so you know you’ll only be getting the best. I stayed at one of their cottages on my trip to St Agnes a while back and it was an absolute dream – so I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
Whether you’re looking for a countryside escape – perhaps with direct access to some of Dorset’s best river walks – or a luxurious home base from which to discover Dorset’s Jurassic Coast and the county’s other top attractions… you’ll find the perfect holiday home with Classic Cottages. There are lots of dog- and family-friendly cottages, as well as larger properties for group getaways, and romantic one-bedroom homes for a couples’ holiday.
In this post, I’ve picked out a few of the very best holiday cottages across Dorset to show the range that’s on offer. This is just a shortlist – there are loads more to discover – but hopefully, you’ll find your perfect stay here…
- Best Holiday Cottages in Dorset
- 1. Cottage with Sea Views: Cobb Cottage
- 2. Cottage with a Hot Tub: Park Farm Byre
- 3. Luxury Farm Cottage in Dorset: Hatts Barn
- 4. Thatched Roof Cottage for Country Vibes: Beehive Cottage
- 5. Dorset Cottages with a Pool: Woodcutter’s Cottage, Dominey’s Yard
- 6. Green Cottage for a More Sustainable Stay: Acorns
- 7. Cottage for Big Groups: Beech Cottage
- Find More Gorgeous Holiday Cottages in Dorset
Best Holiday Cottages in Dorset
1. Cottage with Sea Views: Cobb Cottage
Where: Lyme Regis
Bedrooms: 4
Highlights: Sea views, outdoor dining terrace, fully glazed terrace, dogs welcome, family-friendly.
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This charming, Grade II listed Victorian cottage in Lyme Regis was originally two coastguard officer’s cottages, now combined into one 4-bedroom holiday home with room to sleep 8 (plus a cot).
It’s a stunning, white-washed property with several original features, including slate flooring. There’s fresh, modern decor throughout, with white walls and cute nautical touches. But the best part is this cottage’s fantastic sea views.
Start your day with breakfast on the outdoor terrace with views of Lyme Bay. If the weather isn’t playing fair, there’s also a fully glazed terrace with sea views.
2. Cottage with a Hot Tub: Park Farm Byre
Where: Athelhampton (6 miles east of Dorchester)
Bedrooms: 3
Highlights: Wood-fired hot tub, wood-burner, remote rural location, dogs welcome, family-friendly.
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Tucked away in the idyllic countryside near Tolpuddle, Park Farm Byre is ideal for a rural retreat. The wood-panelled exterior looks gorgeously rustic, but the inside of the property has been recently renovated. There’s stylish, contemporary decor throughout – and everything you could need for a relaxing Dorset holiday! It’s also eco-friendly thanks to solar panels and a biomass boiler
The star attraction here is the wood-fired hot tub outside; ideal for stargazing on clear nights thanks to the area’s fantastic dark skies. There’s also a small courtyard outside (perfect for dining al fresco) and a large paddock for picnics and sports.
If you love countryside walks, this is the place for you. You can explore the surrounding grounds, with the River Piddle passing through, or head through the wildflower meadow to reach a bridleway.
3. Luxury Farm Cottage in Dorset: Hatts Barn
Where: Near Shaftesbury
Bedrooms: 2 (sleeps 5 + cot)
Highlights: On a working farm, characterful barn conversion, wood-burner, no pets, family-friendly.
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Hatts Barn is a spacious, semi-detached barn conversion that’s perfect for a countryside escape. It’s located on Hatts Farm, a 150-acre working farm near the Dorset and Wilshire border, and is nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are stunning views from the hilltop above the farm.
The reversed-level barn has a large open-plan living room, kitchen, and dining area on the upstairs floor, with light and airy decor and exposed wood beams. Downstairs are the cosy bedrooms, including a super king-sized bed in the master bedroom, which also has an ensuite.
If you have a bigger group, you can also book the 2-bedroom Dairyman’s Cottage. Between them, these two luxury Dorset cottages sleep 9 + 2 cots.
4. Thatched Roof Cottage for Country Vibes: Beehive Cottage
Where: Puddletown (5 miles northeast of Dorchester)
Bedrooms: 2
Highlights: 200 years old, thatched roof, south-facing courtyard, dogs welcome, family-friendly.
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If you’re looking for a postcard-perfect country cottage, this is the one! Beehive Cottage is a characterful, 200-year-old thatched cottage in the peaceful village of Puddletown. Behind the charming red brick façade, you’ll find a wealth of original features, including an Inglenook fireplace, traditional cottage stairs, and quirky sloping floors.
This is a seriously cute little cottage with low lintels, exposed stone walls, and very cosy decor in the lounge. But the bathroom and galley kitchen have both been given a modern makeover, so you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay.
5. Dorset Cottages with a Pool: Woodcutter’s Cottage, Dominey’s Yard
Where: Buckland Newton (9 miles north of Dorchester)
Bedrooms: 2
Highlights: Heated outdoor swimming pool, wood burners, no pets, family-friendly.
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There are four beautiful luxury holiday cottages at Dominey’s Yard in the central Dorset countryside, making it ideal for both small and large groups. Woodcutter’s Cottage, Gamekeeper’s Cottage, and Poacher’s Cottage all have two bedrooms (one king and one twin), while Gardener’s Cottage has three (one king, one twin and a “zip and link”).
These four terraced cottages are all decorated in a similar style. They have modern, country-style kitchens and cosy sitting rooms – complete with log burners for chillier nights. Each cottage has its own private patio – perfect for barbecues – as well as access to 2.5 acres of gorgeous gardens and the heated outdoor swimming pool (open May to September and shared with the other properties).
6. Green Cottage for a More Sustainable Stay: Acorns
Where: Corfe Castle
Bedrooms: 3
Highlights: Large wrap-around garden, undercover outdoor dining area, very spacious property, no pets.
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This large holiday home in the historic village of Corfe Castle is ideally located for exploring the Isle of Purbeck, home to some of Dorset’s top attractions (including the ruined 1,000-year-old castle the village is named for).
It’s one of the properties in Classic Cottages’ Green Scheme: cottages which have taken extra steps to be as eco-friendly as possible. Acorns has solar panels, eco-friendly products and an electric vehicle charging point.
The biggest highlight of the property is its huge wrap-around garden, complete with a sunny patio and covered dining area. There’s a large, open-plan kitchen – complete with breakfast bar area for social cooking – as well as a large sitting and dining room; all stylishly decorated with contemporary country vibes. On the first floor, there’s a secondary living room – the Snug – which also has a desk in case you need to keep on top of work while you’re away.
7. Cottage for Big Groups: Beech Cottage
Where: Near Toller Porcorum (7 miles northeast of Bridport)
Bedrooms: 5 (sleeps 9 + cot)
Highlights: Rural setting, large conservatory with nature reserve views, wood burner, dogs welcome, family-friendly.
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Beech Cottage is a large and luxurious stone farmhouse in Dorset, situated next door to a 450-acre nature reserve. A gate leads directly from the large garden into the reserve, so you can explore the river, woodlands, and wildflower meadows freely. If you’re travelling with a large group and want a gorgeous countryside escape, this is it!
This is a beautiful property with classic decor, lovely countryside views, and a large, cosy lounge complete with a stone fireplace and log burner. One of the highlights is the large glass-panelled Garden Room, a fantastic dining space with uninterrupted views of the Kingcombe National Nature Reserve.
Better still, this is an accessible property. One of the bedrooms is on the ground floor, and there’s a ground-floor wet room which is fully wheelchair accessible. There’s also an area of lowered worktop making the kitchen accessible for wheelchair users.
Find More Gorgeous Holiday Cottages in Dorset
Classic Cottages has over 50 properties in Dorset, from rural boltholes in the picturesque countryside to coastal cottages with sea views and easy access to the beach. Scroll through all their Dorset cottages to find the one that’s right for you.
You’ll find tiny shepherd’s huts, beautiful seaside apartments, rural barn conversions, characterful historic cottages… even a beach chalet! So get searching now to find your dream Dorset holiday home.
Let me know if you decide to book one of these gorgeous Dorset holiday cottages to enjoy the pool or hot tub! Scroll down to leave a comment!
