This characterful cottage is in the picturesque village of Durweston, surrounded by the beautiful Dorset countryside. The pet-friendly rural bolthole welcomes four guests and makes the perfect retreat for couples and small families. Durweston is a fantastic base for walkers, with routes to explore along the River Stour and through the surrounding hills. The village green has tennis courts, and there’s also a children’s play area, and the neighbouring village of Stourpaine (1 mile) has a traditional country pub. You’ll find further eateries in the Georgian market town of Blandford Forum, 3 miles away. The cottage is just over 20 miles from the Jurassic Coast and iconic Dorset beauty spots such as Lulworth Cove and Sandbanks Beach. Nearby family attractions include the National Trust’s Kingston Lacy and Monkey World, the tank museum and you can enjoy day trips to Dorchester, Salisbury, Cranbourne Chase, and The New Forest (all within 30 miles).
The 18th-century, thatched cottage is bursting with period charm, with oak flooring, cob walls, and exposed beams. The property has been sympathetically restored, with traditional furniture and thoughtful accessories and soft furnishings to complement the cottage’s original style. Enter the holiday home into the warm and inviting dining hall, where a roaring wood burner is set within the original inglenook fireplace and there’s a dedicated space to store outdoor gear. Taking centre stage is a fabulous, antique-style wooden dining table for sharing mealtimes together. From here, move through to the light and airy country kitchen which features bespoke units, and all the equipment needed for a self-catering holiday. Nestled under the window is a breakfast table, for perching with a morning coffee as you plan the day’s activities. In the evenings, retire to the gorgeous lounge to stretch out on the sofa or curl up in the armchair to watch a movie on the Smart TV, read a book from the collection provided, with the cosy wood burner. A study with a workstation rounds off the ground floor. Upstairs, two beautiful king-size bedrooms await, both with calming décor, one with an ornamental fireplace and plush linens for a good night’s sleep. Completing the accommodation is a family bathroom with a large, cast-iron bath to soak in after a long walk. You will also find an additional shower room with WC located in the eternal annexe, accessible through the garden.
Outside, there is a pretty, cottage garden to the rear, pick fresh herbs for your supper, dine alfresco on the patio, and watch the birds coming and going in the nesting house. There’s also a level lawn where children and dogs can play and storage for bikes in the shed. There is private parking on the drive and additional ample on-street parking.