A holiday in Dorset means many things – award-winning food, postcard-perfect beaches, towering cliffs, Jurassic archaeology, boutique shopping opportunities and castles and hill forts dating all the way back to the Iron Age. Walk the famous ‘Hovis Hill’ cobbles, visit microbreweries and sweeping vineyards, pick up local produce at the traditional farmers’ markets and say hello to the impressive chalk outline of the Cerne Abbas Giant, standing loud and proud at 55meters high on the hillside above Cerne Abbas village. 

Whatever makes you happiest, you are sure to find plenty to quench your thirst for adventure in this beautiful county, while your luxury Dorset cottage provides somewhere utterly relaxing to return to at the end of each day. Boasting miles of Jurassic Coast, England's first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a huge variety of food, drink and activities, even the most energetic explorer will be kept thoroughly satisfied throughout a short break or weeklong retreat. Peek through our self-catering cottages and take a step closer to the holiday of a lifetime. 

Despite being very much in the UK, Dorset dining is very much on the continent, with establishments across the county serving French influenced seafood. Travelling to the countryside doesn’t mean you have to eat traditional all of the time, so put a little je ne sais quoi into your diet with the fresh fish a la Française available throughout the year.

If you fancy rustling something up in your luxury self-catering retreat, there are plenty of places to choose from for supplies. Pay a visit to one of Dorset’s many farmers’ markets and discover cheeses, meats, sweets and savouries. We recommend the local Dorset Blue Vinney cheese with baked-thrice knob biscuits for an evening of after-dinner indulgence. 

That said, if you fancy heading out Dorset really is a foodie heaven, with an ever-expanding selection of award-winning restaurants and quaint tea rooms adorning the seafront. Somewhere to dine in style, a meal at the Guildhall Tavern is particularly recommended, while the Boat Shed Café in Lulworth Cove rewards patrons with one of the best locations in the county.

Dorset’s history lies in agriculture, and they certainly know how to make the most of their surroundings. Palmers brewery and Furleigh Estate vineyard and winery are big news, and with a number of independent breweries scattered throughout the area, you’re never too far away from a boutique bottle of bubbles, whatever your taste.

As repeat appearances in good pub guides will show, Dorset is known for quality drinking in quaint surroundings.  Happily, lots of pubs are dog friendly too, so you can drink ales and ciders in the company of locals, bask in the sunshine of a quiet beer garden or appreciate an al fresco pub meal with your family and furry friend at your side.

The Jurassic Coast of Dorset provides amateur archaeologists with an ideal opportunity to dust off their tools and head out from their luxury self-catering cottage to uncover prehistoric treasures. Fossil walks in Lyme Regis are really popular, so grab your walking boots and enjoy discovering 200 million years of history. 

In Bovington, a visit to the Tank Museum reveals the world’s best collection of tanks, as well as a gripping World War I trench experience. The summertime brings incredible tank action displays in ‘the Arena’, so stand back and witness mechanical horsepower take centre stage.

The fluid roll of the Dorset countryside makes it perfect for bike rides, so take a seat, let the pedals turn and breathe in the beauty that is Dorset. For more excitement, harness the power of the wind with a tallship cruise or keep your feet firmly on solid ground with a coast path tour of the county’s iconic landmarks, including Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach and the Old Harry Rocks.