Make a holiday rental, home or cottage in Dorset your home away from home

Dorset on the South Coast of England is a county of staggering beauty and breathtaking scenery. Behind the famous coastline, boasting the natural wonders of Poole Harbour, Lulworth Cove and Old Harry, the countryside is an unspoilt rural haven of working villages, winding lanes and a vibrant history.

Places to holiday in Dorset

The Purbeck Coast boasts not only a stunning coastline, but a range of special nature reserves and both marine and country parks. Two of the largest single attractions along this stretch of Coast are the Abbotsbury Swannery and the magnificent Corfe Castle. Walking along the downs places you at the heart of Thomas Hardy country.

Things to do on a Dorset holiday

With 140km of coastline, Dorset offers some of the best beaches in the UK. Many, like Swanage Bay are glorious sandy beaches, although the shingle and pebble beaches of Chesil Beach are immensely popular too.

Dorset has avoided the lure of development, and as a result you can still get lost for days walking or riding round the extensive countryside, from hilly landscapes to the plains of the Blackmore Vale in an endless maze of footpaths and bridleways. The unspoilt natural landscape is a haven for bird and wildlife, and much of the land is now protected. Walkers and riders can tie their horses outside one of the many rural Dorset public houses for a pint and some traditional country food to recuperate for the remainder of the journey.

Taking a holiday cottage in Dorset can make a great base for a sporting holiday too. There are extensive provisions for diving, sailing (the London 2012 Olympic sailing centre is in Weymouth), windsurfing, golf, tennis and fishing (rivers, lakes and sea), and there are now two dry ski slopes open to the public.

Bournemouth is a magnificent venue for a night out, and a Dorset holiday cottage here allows you to visit Europe’s largest leisure complex, Tower Park, one of the many world class theatres or the National Trust houses dotted around the county.

The attractions of Monkey World and the Bovington Tank Museum are particular favourites for many visitors, and a Dorset holiday Cottage in Dorchester is probably the best base to enjoy these two attractions.

Weather in Dorset

Dorset enjoys a milder climate than much of South England, with less rain and slightly higher temperatures than is average for the region.

Travel to Dorset

Bournemouth International Airport (BOH) serves as the closest for all the Dorset self catering holiday cottages, but the rail networks provided by South West Trains probably offer the best range of alternatives.

Self-catering holiday homes in Dorset

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Secluded character cottage in the very heart of Bridport

— Property 720516
Dorset cottage rental - Outside
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, near the sea, town, pets considered
Rates - per property (GBP)
£160 - £360/week
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Comfortable self-catering cottages in superb countryside - Rosemary

— Property 95377
Dorset cottage rental - Cottage
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, near the sea, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£250 - £680/week
Calendar Updated 19 Nov 2009

Property Review

Nice cottage, very clean, very friendly people and a lot to do/visit around. We had great holiday!
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Spacious House and Annexe .Countryside views, 3mls from sea nr Lyme Regis - House

— Property 405461
Dorset house rental - Property 2 The House- The barnroom
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8,
House, 2 Bathrooms, near the sea, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£1,250/week
Calendar Updated 19 Nov 2009

Property Review

We are a family with 4 children and we thoroughly enjoyed staying at this property. The garden is large and perfect for children to run and play. The views of the surrounding countryside are rare...
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Spacious House and Annexe .Countryside views, 3mls from sea nr Lyme Regis - Annexe

— Property 405461
Dorset cottage rental - Property 1 Annexe entrance
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, near the sea, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£120 - £125/night
£450 - £520/week
Calendar Updated 19 Nov 2009

Property Review

My husband, 2 boys (aged 6 and 8 years) had a lovely time staying in the annexe. The scenery was amazing and we all enjoyed watching the pheasant of a morning come into the back yard along with a...
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Swanage. Delightful centrally located cottage

— Property 733826
Dorset cottage rental - Roof terrace
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6,
Cottage, 2 Bathrooms, 1 Separate Toilet, beach, town, terrace
Rates - per property (GBP)
£100 - £120/night
£420 - £780/week
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Bournemouth house with garden – central location – 2 ½ miles to beach

— Property 422015
Dorset house rental - South-facing Garden
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7,
House, 3 Bathrooms, near the sea, town, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£50 - £95/night
£350 - £530/week
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Woodland hideaway - 4 Star Rating - Golf - only 5 miles from Bournemouth

— Property 411087
Golf Holiday Rental
Dorset cottage rental - Birchcroft a nature lover's hideaway
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8,
Cottage, 3 Bathrooms, near the sea, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£410 - £1,155/week
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West Country Holiday Cottage in picturesque village near Jurassic coast

— Property 5941
Dorset cottage rental - Brambles, 3 Manor Farm Close
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, 1 Separate Toilet, near the sea, village, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£50/night
£210 - £550/week
Calendar Updated 19 Nov 2009

Property Review

Just a little note to tell you what a wonderful time we had in your cottage. We fell in love with Litton Cheney and the beautiful, surrounding area and have definitely placed it on our `return to`...
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Luxury thatched cottage in beautiful seaside village

— Property 433860
Dorset cottage rental - Peregrine Cottage
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, 1 Separate Toilet, beach, near the sea, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£100/night
£500 - £950/week
Calendar Updated 20 Nov 2009

Property Review

My wife and I only spent three nights in the cottage but in that short time realised we had found a real gem of a place to escape to. The cottage was beautifully renovated, the internal spaces...
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Dorset house rental - The Stables at Meadow Cottage
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2,
House, 1 Bathroom, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£260 - £375/week
Calendar Updated 19 Nov 2009

Property Review

We hebben een heerlijke week in juli gehad in deze prachtige cottage. We werden bij aankomst na een lange regenachtige reis op de motor warm ontvangen door de eigenaresse met soep, tosti's en...
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Dorset house rental - Summerhouse at Meadow Cottage
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4,
House, 1 Bathroom, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£275 - £450/week
Calendar Updated 19 Nov 2009

Property Review

The Summerhouse is a perfect holiday retreat. We have stayed for one week in June and we have had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect and we could almost every day have our breakfast on the...
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Comfortable self-catering cottages in superb countryside - Foxglove

— Property 95377
Dorset cottage rental - Cottage
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, near the sea, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£250 - £680/week
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Property ID 7019563 Bridport cottage

— Property 7019563h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, highchair, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£210 - £497/week
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Property ID 7019576 Salisbury cottage

— Property 7019576h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 2 Bathrooms, dish washer, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£243 - £577/week
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Property ID 7019812 Sherborne cottage

— Property 7019812h
Dorset cottage rental
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, fridge, linen provided
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£201 - £376/week
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Property ID 7019569 Sturminster Newton cottage

— Property 7019569h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, highchair, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£191 - £449/week
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Property ID 7019749 Dorchester cottage

— Property 7019749h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 2 Bathrooms, highchair, dish washer
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£275 - £650/week
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Property ID 7019863 Blandford Forum cottage

— Property 7019863h
Dorset cottage rental
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6,
Cottage, 2 Bathrooms, highchair, dish washer
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£237 - £625/week
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Property ID 7019854 Sherborne cottage

— Property 7019854h
Dorset cottage rental
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, dish washer, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£190 - £400/week
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Property ID 7019921 Sturminster Newton cottage

— Property 7019921h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5,
Cottage, 2 Bathrooms, dish washer, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£234 - £617/week
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Property ID 7019960 Sturminster Newton cottage

— Property 7019960h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, highchair, dish washer
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£229 - £500/week
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Property ID 7019989 Poole cottage

— Property 7019989h
Dorset cottage rental
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8,
Cottage, 2 Bathrooms, dish washer, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£479 - £1,352/week
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Property ID 7020019 Shaftesbury cottage

— Property 7020019h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, dish washer, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£191 - £439/week
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Property ID 7020395 Gillingham cottage

— Property 7020395h
Dorset cottage rental
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, fridge, linen provided
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£214 - £467/week
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Property ID 7019611 Sherborne cottage

— Property 7019611h
Dorset cottage rental
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 3,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, fridge, linen provided
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£254 - £405/week
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Property ID 7019778 Weymouth cottage

— Property 7019778h
Dorset cottage rental
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, dish washer, fridge
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£258 - £604/week
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Property ID 7019705 Shaftesbury cottage

— Property 7019705h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, fridge, linen provided
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£212 - £469/week
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Property ID 7019543 Dorchester cottage

— Property 7019543h
Dorset cottage rental
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Cottage, 2 Bathrooms, fridge, linen provided
Rates - per cottage (GBP)
£208 - £457/week
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2 bed bungalows with heated swimming pool in quiet village location. - The bungalow

— Property 96649
Dorset bungalow rental - Swimming pool & summer house
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Bungalow, 1 Bathroom, rural, village, pool
Rates - per property (GBP)
£90 - £150/night
£375 - £795/week
Calendar Updated 18 Nov 2009

Property Review

Set back from Ringwood Rd the location is peaceful, private and above all safe for kids. The accomodation is well furnished and of good standard. Laminate floor throughout, fully fitted kitchen...
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Dorset bungalow rental - garden
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
Bungalow, 1 Bathroom, rural, village, pool
Rates - per property (GBP)
£90 - £150/night
£375 - £795/week
Calendar Updated 18 Nov 2009

Property Review

The house was well equipped, clean and comfortable. Its location is quiet enough but also convenient for the main roads to Bournemouth and Southampton. The pool was great and the kids made the...