A rural and picturesque county in the south of England, Dorset is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a timeless charm, pretty villages, country lanes and a fabulous stretch of 200 million year-old coastline known as The Jurassic Coast.

In fact The Jurassic Coast has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its ancient geology and is of course a great place for wonderful views over the English Channel and cliff-top walks.

Dorset has wonderful walking country which is a great way to appreciate the unspoilt beauty of this region, or you could maybe take to the quiet country roads and off road cycle ways. It’s a place to kick back and relax with lots of traditional country pubs and fine restaurants to discover.

The seaside towns of Bournemouth and Weymouth come highly recommended with lovely beaches and plenty of fresh sea air. You can reach the beach at Swanage via the heritage railway; it’s one of the best ways to soak up your surrounds and ensure complete relaxation. With stops at Corfe Castle and the small sleepy oasis of Harman''s Cross, it’s also one of the best ways to get a unique perspective of Dorset’s many attractions, and a true feel for its unspoiled beauty.

Also of note is Brownsea Island which offers a number of attractions for visitors, including lush woodland, an indigenous red squirrel population and a 16th century castle. For a great family day out visit Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre at Wareham where you’ll find over 250 rescued monkeys and apes providing plenty of entertainment and education.

Dorset is renowned for its varied landscape and is suitable for all sorts of different holidays. Its long coastline is a perfect for cliff top walks and stunning sea views and the region’s beaches are ideal for families who simply want to unwind on the sand or get active with surfing and sailing readily available; along with some expert tuition for those who fancy getting their feet wet! Then again, if you just want somewhere to relax and soak up the beautiful English countryside, you’ll be equally well served by what a cottage holiday in Dorset has to offer.

Take a look at our selection of holiday cottages in Dorset.