On this page I have handpicked the best large holiday cottages in Dorset, along with things to do nearby. Also see my guide to over 500 big cottages across the UK.
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Sleeps 8 Dorset
Quay Hill Studio
Sleeps 8 | Bedrooms 4 | Bathrooms 2 | Pets Yes | Hot tub | Seaside | WiFi | Near a pub
About & Things To Do
Pretty cottage in Lymington with secluded garden and hot tub.
Things to do: Explore the New Forest National Park. Regular ferry links to the Isle of Wight.
Lake View House
Sleeps 8 | Bedrooms 4 | Bathrooms 3 | Pets No | WiFi
About & Things To Do
Lake View House offers guests the opportunity to explore the great outdoors and all it has to offer with its unspoiled nature and wildlife. The house is truly one-of-a-kind and has been architecturally designed with high attention to detail, boasting modern interiors & furnishings throughout. Outside, the deck is the best location for al fresco dining while admiring the sunset over the lake. For nature lovers and bird spotters, the lake is home to a wide variety of wonderful birds.
Things to do:
The rural location is perfect for those wanting to enjoy cycling, running, boating or fishing. There is a children’s playground to keep the little ones entertained as well as tennis courts if you want to have some healthy competition with your family and friends.
Lake View House is within reaching distance of fabulous beaches, wonderful countryside, historical attractions and charming market towns. Just thirty minutes away, is the picturesque town of Poole, where you can hop on a ferry and visit neighbouring islands.
See Also
Sleeps 10 Dorset
Apple Tree Cottage
Sleeps 10 | Bedrooms 5 | Bathrooms 3 | Pets No | Hot tub | Open fire | WiFi
About & Things To Do
Grade II listed detached cottage located in Tarrant Monkton.
Things to do: Close to Hall and Woodhouse Brewery which offers detail on the beer-making process, with tastings and an on-site bar and restaurant.
Visit Bradbury Rings, which is on the former site of an Iron Age hill fort.
Baytree Lodge
Sleeps 10 | Bedrooms 5 | Bathrooms 6 | Pets No | Swimming pool | Games room | Open fire | WiFi | Near a pub
About & Things To Do
Luxury holiday rental with indoor swimming pool in Osmington, less than a mile from the seaside.
Things to do: 6 miles from Weymouth beach and just 11 miles from beautiful Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, for scenic coastal walks and beaches.
Branksome Wood House
Sleeps 10 | Bedrooms 5 | Bathrooms 5 | Pets No | Swimming pool | Open fire | WiFi | Hot tub
About & Things To Do
Branksome Wood House is an architect-designed detached house and is set on a private road within Poole, centred around one acre of gated gardens.
Elegantly designed, the full-height windows welcome natural light inside.
Things to do: Enjoy the indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, pizza oven, and open fire.
Just a 15-minute walk leads to Branksome Chine which is a fantastic sandy beach on the edge of Sandbanks.
If you shopping, head to Westbourne where you can visit the best Fish & Chips shop Chez Fred, The Plantation, The Cliff and the Rick Stein restaurant, and Petit Prince which offers the best coffee and cakes.
Sleeps 12 Dorset
The Old Grainstore
Sleeps 12 | Bedrooms 6 | Bathrooms 3| Pets No | Games Room | Open fire | WiFi | Hot tub
About & Things To Do
The Old Grainstore is a hidden gem that can be found in the Dorset countryside in the small village of Plush.
It is finished with a modern and high-quality standard including a large glass bi-folding door that overlooks the garden, which is perfect to enjoy the view of the countryside.
Things to do: A leisurely stroll in the evening can bring you to the nearby pub under a mile away.
The popular town of Dorchester is under 10 miles away, a historic market town promising walks by the River Frome with excellent shopping and activities on offer.
Sleeps 12 Dorset
Houghton Lodge
12 guests | 5 bedrooms | 7 beds | 4 bathrooms | Swimming pool | Hot tub | Sauna | Games room | Pets welcome
About & Things To Do
Escape to the country and stay in this large lodge set in a peaceful Dorset village. With hot tub, sauna and games room there is something here for everyone.
Things to do: Great dog walking area and all of the beaches of Pool and the Jurassic coast are nearby.
Garden House
Sleeps 12 | Bedrooms 6 | Bathrooms 4 | Pets No | Garden | WiFi | Hot tub
About & Things To Do
Garden House is a picturesque family home in the heart of the New Forest National Park.
Surrounded by beautiful countryside, guests can enjoy a quiet and comfortable time here.
Things to do: Step out into the beautiful, large garden, with outdoor seating to dine alfresco on warm afternoons, and a rich collection of plants, trees, and shrubbery arranged to give your group a private place of your own to relish, run around on the lawns with the little ones and play some garden games, creating pleasant holiday memories.
Take a day trip to Bournemouth for a day at the beach and grab some fish and chips by the sea, try out a surfing or paddle-boarding for the first time with Sorted Surf School on Bournemouth Beach, or relax on Bournemouth Pier.
Sleeps 14 Dorset
The Skilling
Sleeps 14 | Bedrooms 5 | Bathrooms 3 | Pets Yes | Hot tub | WiFi | Near a pub
About & Things To Do
This holiday rental is situated in the heart of the West Dorset countryside, close to the market town of Bridport and overlooking the coast at West Bay.
Things to do: Visit the dramatic Jurassic coast at West Bay, now a World Heritage Site, home to the backdrop for TV’s Harbour Lights and the coastal setting for popular Broadchurch.
Sleeps 15 Dorset
Manor Farm Barn
Sleeps 15 | Bedrooms 8 | Bathrooms 8 | Pets Yes | Swimming pool | Games room | Open fire | WiFi
About & Things To Do
Located in the village of Dewlish, Manor Farm Barn is a beautiful conversion of an 18th-century barn. Complete with an outdoor swimming pool.
Things to do: Take excursions to the Dorset Jurassic Coast.
Monkey World and the Bovington Tank Museum, all within an easy drive away.
Sleeps 22 Dorset
Thatch Cottage
Sleeps 22 | Bedrooms 10 | Bathrooms 8 | Pets Yes | Hot tub | Swimming Pool | On-site Pub
About & Things To Do
Unique holiday rental in Verwood. With a stunning enclosed courtyard with plenty of seating, a large pool, and an 8 person jacuzzi.
You also have your own onsite private pub with local beer!
Things to do: Visit Moors Valley Country Park. Avon Heath Country Park is less than 10 minutes’ drive away.
The award-winning Blue Flag beaches of Bournemouth and Poole are a 20 minutes drive away.
The New Forest with charming Pubs and endless possibilities for walking, cycling and exploring is less than 10 minutes away by car!
Sleeps 24 Dorset
The Old Manor House
Sleeps 24 | Bedrooms 9 | Bathrooms 9 | Pets Yes | Games Room | WiFi | Hot tub
About & Things To Do
The Old Manor House is a beautiful home in the quaint village of Puddletown.
It includes a Drawing room, a study, a games room, and a gym.
Things to do: Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are iconic landmarks along the Jurassic Coast and are only a short 20-minute drive away.
Family attractions such as the Dinosaur Museum and the Tutankhamun Exhibition can be found in Dorchester, only a 4-mile drive.
Sleeps 31 Dorset
Milton Manor
Sleeps 31 | Bedrooms 14 | Bathrooms 14 | Pets Yes | Hot tub | Open fire | Games Room | Wifi | Garden
About & Things To Do
Milton manor sits on six acres of private landscaped gardens and provides an awesome view of the Dorset countryside. It has been fully refurbished while retaining the stunning Georgian features. With floor to ceiling Georgian sash windows and doors throughout, the property is flooded with natural light. Windows offer impressive views of the garden as well as a grand open fireplace perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Things to do:
The games room will be a popular spot for entertaining the whole family with table tennis, board games and more. Milton Manor offers plenty of entertainment and entertaining spaces outdoors including; a hot tub, tree house, cricket pitch, pond and BBQ. Explore local attractions at Cranborne Chase AONB and the Dorset AONB. The world heritage Jurassic coast is less than an hour’s drive away. Longleat House and Safari Park are also close by.
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Let Us Help You Find The Perfect Big Cottage
We spend hours every day searching for the best accommodation so you don’t have to. We’ve handpicked the finest large holiday homes across the UK.
All the properties sleep 8 or more and are of an excellent or exceptional standard throughout.
Perfect for big families or multiple families and occasions. Or friend getaways.
INSPIRATION
6 Best Holiday Rental Websites
Find your perfect holiday rental – including cottages, apartments & glamping sites.
There’s also links to deals – including special offers or last minute deals. You may pick up a bargain!
Want more sites to check? We have 16 on our guide to the best holiday rental booking sites.
Airbnb
Best For: Everything
Number Of Listings: 7 Million Worldwide
Pricing: Budget to Luxury
Sykes Cottages
Best For: UK Cottages
Number Of Listings: +15,000
Pricing: Budget to Luxury
Snaptrip
Best For: Last Minute Discounts
Number Of Listings: +60,000 (from cottages.com, Hoseasons & more)
Pricing: Budget to Luxury
HolidayCottages.co.uk
Best For: UK Cottages
Number Of Listings: +15,000
Pricing: Budget to Luxury
Booking.com
Best For: Everything (not just hotels)
Number Of Listings: +1 Million Apartments & Holiday Homes
Pricing: Budget to Luxury
VRBO (previously HomeAway)
Best For: UK Cottages
Number Of Listings: +15,000
Pricing: Budget to Luxury
