Cottages in Dorset?

[emc]

I want to take my Dad away for his 70th birthday in January and he fancies Dorset, an area I don't know at all - so, any suggestions on parts of Dorset and also if you have stayed anywhere lovely (self catering cottages I mean, not hotels? There will be four adults, two toddlers and one newborn baby. Any info greatly appreciated.

[stereforth]

Not quite Dorset. Just a bit to the left on the coast and you come to Beer. West of Lyme Regis. I have stayed there several times at varying times of year. Friendly little fishing town with plenty of cottages/houses to rent. Look it up on google.

Plenty of websites advertising accommodation. Nice town. Not stuffy, but not cheap and tacky either. Some nice pubs, fresh caught fish each morning on the quay.

We were driving past some years ago and had heard good things about the place so we made a detour. Loved it almost immediately. Admittedly the last time was five years ago, and things change, but it was the kind of place where you allow an extra 20 minutes when buying an early morning paper because people will want to stop and talk.

[Townleygreen]

I would suggest Swanage, which is a lovely little town. has some fabulous restaurants, most very reasonable. Close to Studland Bay - lovely beach, the coastal path, Corfe Castle (steam train access), not far from Lulworth Cove, Poole, Bournemouth etc. I have always stayed in a very good Guest House, but there are lots of apartments there too.

[TheePope]

I'd second Swanage or Corfe Castle anywhere in the Purbecks really. There's a beautiful little village called Worth Matravers not far from Swanage, there's not much there apart from the best pub in the world - The Square and Compass. A lovely spot.

Not far from there and overlooking Corfe Castle is a little hamlet called Kingston with a nice pub (Scott Arms) there are some nice looking cottages near there which I've always fancied staying in, no idea of cost - there's a link here:

(Edit - wrong link if I can find the right one I'll post it!)

A bit further west but you can't go far wrong with Charmouth, Lyme Regis or Abbotsbury, all on the cost. If you want inland and not far from Poole / Bournemouth, then Wimborne is a pleasant market town with some nice countryside around it.

[TillieTrotter]

I was supping cider in that very pub (Square & Compass) a few months ago Pope. A weird and wonderful little place, great pasties too.

[TheePope]

Tis a very fine place Tillie, with the stone benches, dogs, chickens and a wonderful view. The fossil 'museums' a bonus too. Spent many an evevning there in my youth and always try and get back there when in Dorset.

[TillieTrotter]

.

[TillieTrotter]

Really, my friend who took me there spent much of his youth there too. The view is indeed gorgeous.

[Sandperson]

Weymouth!

[soniala]

Theres a beautiful village called Burton Bradstock just outside Bridport which is totally unspoilt , has a lovely beach , 2 local pubs , good food served ,fish cafe place on the beach . it is near to West Bay where Harbour Lights was filmed , it has a harbour and as a kid we always went crabbing there. In Burton itself there are quite a few self catering cottages & B & B 's, if you contact the local post office in Burton , they should have some names & numbers for you .

It has alot of history, it was where the American forces were trained and stayed prior to D day

Places like Lyme Regis and Beer are only a car journey away.

It is a really special place ( well to me anyhow)

Have fun

Sonia