Our Dorset Holiday Cottages by the Sea
Dorset has a coastline that changes considerably as you travel from west to east. Around Lyme Regis and Charmouth, the cliffs are famous for fossils and discoveries linked to Mary Anning. West Bay has high sandstone cliffs on either side of its harbour, while Chesil Beach forms an 18-mile barrier beach running towards Portland.
Weymouth provides a very different setting, with a large sandy beach beside the town and harbour. Continue east and the Purbeck coast includes some of Dorset’s most recognisable landmarks. Lulworth Cove is almost circular, Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch and Kimmeridge Bay is known for its rock ledges, fossils and marine life.
Further east, Swanage has a sandy beach, pier and working heritage railway. The coastline continues towards Studland, where several miles of sandy beach run north towards Poole Harbour. Old Harry Rocks mark the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast.
The South West Coast Path connects these places, although Dorset contains some steep sections. You do not need to walk long distances to use it. Shorter routes around Golden Cap, Portland, Lulworth, Durlston and Old Harry Rocks provide plenty of ways to see the coast on foot.
Fossils, Harbours and Places to Visit
Lyme Regis is one of the most distinctive towns on the Dorset coast. The Cobb curves around the harbour, while Lyme Regis Museum covers the area’s geology and the work of fossil hunter Mary Anning. Fossil hunting is also popular at nearby Charmouth, where the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre provides information about the local geology and guided fossil walks.
West Bay has a harbour and access to the coast path, with Bridport just inland. Farther east, Abbotsbury is close to Chesil Beach and the Fleet lagoon, while the Isle of Portland has Portland Bill lighthouse and paths around its rocky coastline.
Weymouth has a working harbour alongside its beach and Georgian seafront. From here, the coast continues towards Osmington, Ringstead and Lulworth. Corfe Castle is a short distance inland from the Purbeck coast and can be combined with a trip on the Swanage Railway, which runs between Corfe Castle and Swanage.
Poole Harbour provides another side to a Dorset holiday. Boat trips operate around the harbour and towards Brownsea Island and Sandbanks, while Studland and the Purbeck coast are nearby.
To get the lowdown on where to stay for your next break, check out our guide to Dorset’s best seaside towns, including links to suitable beachside accommodation.
Choosing Where and How to Stay in Dorset
With such a varied coastline, choosing the right part of Dorset can be more important than choosing a particular type of property. Lyme Regis works well if you want restaurants, shops, the harbour and beaches within walking distance. Weymouth provides similar convenience on a larger scale, while Swanage combines a traditional seaside town with easy access to Purbeck.
Smaller places provide a different experience. Staying around West Bay, Burton Bradstock or Seatown puts the western Jurassic Coast close by, while villages around Lulworth and Purbeck work well for walking and visiting the county’s major coastal landmarks.
The properties themselves are equally varied. You will find apartments overlooking harbours and seafronts, older stone cottages in villages and detached houses within walking distance of the beach. Some Dorset sea view cottages overlook Lyme Bay, Chesil Beach, Portland or the Purbeck coast, while a smaller number of properties provide direct access to the shore.
For a family holiday, parking and the distance to the beach can matter as much as the number of bedrooms. In places where roads are narrow or parking is limited, being able to leave the car at the property is particularly valuable. Larger groups may want several bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area that can comfortably accommodate everyone, and enough parking for more than one car.
There are also dog-friendly Dorset cottages, including properties with enclosed gardens, as well as holiday homes with private hot tubs. Beach access for dogs varies significantly around the county, so it is worth checking the rules for the nearest beach rather than assuming they are the same throughout Dorset.
Sandy Beaches, Shingle Shores and Sheltered Coves
Dorset gives you a particularly wide choice of beaches. Lyme Regis has several beaches around the town and harbour. Monmouth Beach is open to dogs throughout the year, while seasonal restrictions apply to the town’s Front Beach.
Chesil Beach is completely different. Its long bank of pebbles extends for around 18 miles and separates the sea from the Fleet lagoon for much of its length. It is an impressive place to visit, but the steep shingle and powerful waves mean it should not be treated in the same way as a sheltered swimming beach.
For a traditional day on the sand, Weymouth Beach is one of the county’s main choices. Its central section is backed by the esplanade and puts toilets, cafés, shops and other facilities close at hand. Seasonal dog restrictions apply to the main beach, although designated areas remain available throughout the year.
Around Purbeck, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door provide two of Dorset’s most photographed coastal locations. Both welcome dogs throughout the year. Nearby Ringstead is another year-round dog-friendly beach, while Kimmeridge Bay is better known for rock pooling and exploring the shoreline.
Swanage has a long sandy beach close to the town’s facilities, with seasonal restrictions for dogs on the main beach. Studland offers several beaches around the peninsula, including South Beach, Middle Beach and Knoll Beach. Dogs are permitted, although leads are required on specified sections between May and September.
For quieter stretches of coast, there are further beaches around Eype, Seatown, Burton Bradstock and West Bexington in the west of the county. The differences between these beaches are worth considering when choosing where to stay. A family looking for sand and facilities may favour Weymouth or Swanage, while walking, geology or fossil hunting may make the western Jurassic Coast a better fit.
