Holiday rentals and lettings in Dorset

• Diverse property types: Cosy cottages, converted barns, glamping cabins, and waterside properties offer character with modern comfort for every group size and preference.
• Modern amenities: Properties feature Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, private patios, and luxury additions like hot tubs and heated pools for exceptional comfort.
• Coastal and countryside appeal: From the Jurassic Coast's dramatic cliffs to picturesque countryside villages, Dorset offers iconic landmarks and world-heritage scenery throughout.
• Guest-approved stays: Award-winning properties consistently receive outstanding ratings, with visitors praising exceptional locations, characterful designs, and warm local host welcomes.
• Something for everyone: Choose between Swanage's beaches, Weymouth's water sports, Dorchester's history, West Bay's natural beauty, or Portland's adventure activities.

Dorset offers a diverse range of holiday homes to suit every taste and group size. From cosy renovated cottages and converted barns brimming with character to spacious lodges, campsites, and luxury rentals, discover the perfect base for your escape. Most properties feature essential modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay:

• Wi-Fi throughout
• Fully-equipped kitchens
• Garden spaces
• Hot tubs and pools

Pet-friendly cottages are also common across Devon, so the whole family can come along.

What are the best areas to stay in Dorset?

The Jurassic Coast remains the standout choice for most visitors, offering dramatic coastal scenery, world-heritage status, and endless outdoor activities. However, each area of Dorset offers unique appeal depending on your interests. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Holiday rentals in Dorset consistently receive outstanding ratings, with guests praising the exceptional locations, characterful properties, and stunning views. Here are some of our top-rated holiday rentals and lettings in Dorset from the past year:

1. Cottage 'West View' with garden and games room - 9.7+: Guests love the games room in this six-person cottage, which keeps them busy on wet days or during off-season getaways.
2. Cottage 'Droop Farm' with garden - 10.0: Pets are welcome in this charming, traditional stone cottage set in a quiet green garden. With room for six, it makes a great family holiday rental.
3. Log cabin with garden and balcony - 9.0+: This stylish four-person log cabin is set in a quiet wooded area. Guests love the outdoor picnic area and well-equipped kitchen.

Nestled on England's south coast, Dorset stretches along the English Channel with its famous golden cliffs and charming coastal towns, celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and rich maritime heritage.

✈️What is the best way to get to Dorset?

Dorset is one of only a handful of English counties with no motorway, so most visitors arrive by road, rail, or a nearby regional airport. Here are the most common ways to get there:

• By car: Most visitors arrive via the A31, A35 or A37, giving you the freedom to explore the county's coast and countryside at your own pace.
• By train: South Western Railway runs direct services from London Waterloo to Weymouth, Poole, and Bournemouth in around 2–2.5 hours.
• By air: The nearest airports are Bournemouth Airport, right on the county's doorstep, and Exeter Airport to the west.

🍴Where to eat in Dorset?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Seaside Restaurant is the best rated restaurant in Dorset. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller James recommends Catch at the Old Fish Market in Weymouth: Weymouth's only Michelin-listed restaurant, set above a working fishmonger in a Grade II-listed former fish market, serving sea-to-plate dishes sourced straight from the town's fishing boats.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

May to September is the best time to visit Dorset, bringing the warmest weather for the beaches and Jurassic Coast walks, and it's also when the Dorset Seafood Festival takes over Weymouth harbour.

Summer (June–September)

• Best for: Beach days and Jurassic Coast walks, plus the Dorset Seafood Festival in Weymouth harbour.
• Weather: Mild to warm, with generally the driest and sunniest conditions of the year.
• Atmosphere: Busy and lively, with the coast and popular towns at their most crowded.

Winter (November–March)

• Best for: Cosy countryside pubs and quiet, dramatic coastal views.
• Weather: Cold, with wetter and windier spells along the coast.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and peaceful, with a cosy, low-key feel across the county.

Shoulder season (April–May and September–October)

• Best for: Coastal walking and fossil hunting, without the summer crowds.
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with fewer extremes than summer or winter.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and considerably quieter than the peak summer months.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Dorset hosts recommend timing your visit to coincide with one of the county's impressive annual events, if possible. Consider the Dorset Spring Show in May, Swanage Carnival in late July, or the traditional Dorset County Show in September.

1. Ride the Swanage Railway
2. Explore the ruins of Corfe Castle
3. Visit Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove
4. Go fossil hunting at Lyme Regis
5. Time your visit for the Dorset Seafood Festival

1. Ride the Swanage Railway

   This heritage steam railway runs through the Isle of Purbeck, passing Corfe Castle en route to Swanage's sandy beach — a scenic, easy day out for all ages.

2. Explore the ruins of Corfe Castle

   This romantic, ruined medieval castle sits in the Purbeck hills and has centuries of history as a royal fortress — look out for the "murder holes" and arrow loops as you explore.

3. Visit Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

   These iconic natural limestone formations, carved over 140 million years, are among the most photographed sights on the Jurassic Coast — quieter outside the September-May off season.

4. Go fossil hunting at Lyme Regis

   Known as the "Pearl of Dorset", this harbour town is one of the best spots in the UK for fossil hunting, alongside a lively dining scene and independent shops.

5. Time your visit for the Dorset Seafood Festival

   Held annually in Weymouth harbour, this two-day festival turns the waterfront into a market of local seafood, cheese, chutneys and more.