Family friendly holiday cottages in Dorset
[Region] is the perfect family holiday destination for short breaks or longer time away with the kids; it's a county packed full of things to do with the children and a foodie angle for you. Take the little ones on the best family holidays by finding your perfect place to stay in Dorset.Read more
In Dorset, the short break is king because it's easily accessible so there are no long journeys with children asking if you're there yet. This makes it the perfect family holiday destination in its own right, but there are lots of reasons this beautiful English county is so good for families.
Dorset is very child-friendly, with the Jurassic Coast providing beautiful beaches for sunny day's out; but they're not just for bucket and spade days. These beaches keep on giving with the prospect of finding fossils. Children will always remember the first fossil they find, and hot spots such as Charmouth and West Bay are chock full of treasures hiding in plain sight. While the little ones tire themselves out searching for dinosaurs, the older family members can enjoy the simple pleasure of the beautiful surroundings. That's if you're not attempting the family record for crabbing off one of Dorset's many piers and harbour walls.
Stray away from this world-renowned coastline and you'll find child-friendly holiday cottages tucked down leafy lanes where there is space to run free, play games and settle back to the comfort of the cottage to barbecue the local delicacies a leisurely shopping trip provided. It's a county well-known for the quality of its edible offerings, so tuck in. Our family-friendly holiday cottages come fully equipped with everything you need to cook up a feast.
The best family holidays are relaxed and filled with simple pleasures; the first sweet strawberry picked from the field, everyone gathered around a farmhouse table tucking in, that deep happy sleep after an exciting day out. [Region] has the best uk family holidays and we've winkled out 38 cottages that welcome all ages.
Family holidays in [Region]
7 nights from £344
The Stables
19651 bedroom, rural holiday cottage near the county town of Dorchester, Dorset.
This quaint cottage is set within the rural hamlet of Pallington. The Stables is a self-contained, single storey cottage with a welcoming open plan design. The entrance hall leads ...
7 nights from £344
7 nights from £345
The Dairy
26631 bedroom cottage near the Jurassic Coast near Bridport, Dorset.
The Dairy is another extremely comfortable single-storey cottage in this small and friendly farm development. This property has French doors to its own enclosed outside space – the...
7 nights from £345
Need more time? Reserve any cottage for up to 24 hours before booking.
24hr no commitment reservations
You can reserve your holiday dates on your favourite cottage for up to 24 hours. You might need to check with other guests in your party or simply consider whether this cottage is right for your holiday, either way we’re happy to give you the time to step away and mull over your options before paying a penny.
We’ll send you a reminder to see if you want it or not so you won’t lose out. Take time to think it over, you don’t have to rush your decision. Have a cup of tea and when you’re ready, hit the button to book your holiday and start looking forward to it.
7 nights from £345
The Linhay
26611 bedroom, dog friendly cottage near the beach near Bridport, Dorset.
The Linhay is a tucked away single-storey retreat – and an ideal base for exploring the wonderful coastline. The cottage nestles alongside the barns, with a fully enclosed gravel c...
7 nights from £345
7 nights from £358
Badgers Cottage
30141 bedroom, dog friendly cottage near Bridport, Dorset.
This pretty semi-detached cottage for two is nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on West Hembury Farm. Badgers Cottage is an 18th Century stone barn that has be...
7 nights from £358
7 nights from £407
Wayside Cottage
44842 bedroom thatched, dog friendly cottage near Beaminster, Dorset.
A gorgeous, chocolate-box cottage that is the ideal escape, nestled in the heart of one of Dorset's picturesque villages. Just a stone's throw from the lovely local pub, Wayside Co...
7 nights from £407
7 nights from £373
The Old School Gables
24902 bedroom cottage near the market town of Bridport, Dorset.
The pretty Dorset village of Drimpton is set in lovely countryside a short drive inland from the stunning Jurassic Coast. This original school house has been converted into extreme...
7 nights from £373
7 nights from £416
Old Sandpitts Cottage
45042 bedroom thatched cottage near Bridport, Dorset.
Tucked away down its own private track, this picture-perfect thatched cottage is a little gem. Surrounded by its own private garden, the cottage is very peaceful and offers space f...
7 nights from £416
7 nights from £440
The Old Coach House
13862 bedroom, dog friendly cottage near the county town of Dorchester, Dorset.
This pretty detached former coach house can be found in the rural Dorset countryside, within easy reach of the stunning coastlines of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. ...
7 nights from £440
Our property managers are local experts who handpick perfect places to stay.
Local experts
We scour the coast and country to winkle out bits worth sharing with you, the best properties in lovely locations. While we’re out and about, we gather together the best things to do so that you can start planning your holiday as soon as you’ve booked.
The ‘Explore Nearby’ tab on our cottage pages show what’s nearby along with relevant articles from our holiday guides from Notes and Stories, where you’ll find hand-written experiences of outings across the South and West, from dog-friendly pubs on the Isle of Wight to free things to do in south Devon and everything in between.
7 nights from £466
Ivy Cottage
41222 bedroom, dog friendly cottage in Cattistock near Dorchester, Dorset.
Imagine life in a tranquil Dorset village and Ivy Cottage is just the sort of place you may picture in your mind. Set in the midst of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the cot...
7 nights from £466
7 nights from £488
Celtic Blessing
22562 bedroom cottage near Bridport, Dorset.
Close to Dorset's spectacular Jurassic Coast, the popular market town of Bridport and the harbour and beach at West Bay, this cottage has stunning views of the gentle Dorset countr...
7 nights from £488