Cottages by the sea in Dorset

Offering families the chance to enjoy the quintessential sea-side holiday, cottages in towns such as Lyme Regis, Weymouth and Swanage pack holidays full with traditional attractions – think Punch & Judy and donkey rides on the beach - as well as restaurants and shopping with a more modern vibe. Expect too, summer festivals, fun events and firework displays: perfect for entertaining all the family.

But it’s not all days out on the beach. Picturesque Lyme Regis boasts a rich maritime history: explore its maze-like streets and discover its illustrious connections to the novelist, Jane Austen. Swanage’s Victorian heritage equally offers visitors a glimpse into the area’s recent past.

However, it’s the draw of this coastline’s more ancient mysteries that bring hundreds to cottages along Dorset’s shoreline. The 95 miles of coast which forms The Jurassic Coast UNSECO World heritage site represents 185 million years of the Earth's History. Fossil hunters flock to Dorset’s iconic and dramatic coastal topography in the hope of unearthing some of the secrets of the past.

You don’t need to dig to discover Dorset’s appeal: the spectacular, world-famous stone arch at Durdle Door and the tranquil Lulworth Cove are all potential days out from a holiday cottage in Dorset.

The variety of Dorset’s coastline never ceases to amaze. If you tire of cliffs and coves, the 18 mile long shingle spit of Chesil Beach – a wildlife haven – and the quaint seaside villages of Easton Chiswell are ripe for exploration.