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Holidaymakers searching for holiday rentals in Dorchester also enquired about apartments in Bridport, cottages in Chichester and cottages in Swanage

Make a Dorchester holiday cottage your home away from home

The enchanting town of Dorchester in Dorset, is an historic rural gem on the banks of the sparkling Frome River. Famous for being the home of Thomas Hardy, whose novel ‘’The Mayor of Casterbridge’’ was set here, the scenery literally does seem to jump out of his pages and there is an abundance of beautiful historic buildings and sites that captivate every visitor who come here. HomeAway has a wide range of holiday cottages in Dorchester to suit every need. Charming holiday accommodation in Dorchester might be a romantic cottage for two, or a gracious home for large travelling parties and families. Thatched roof tops, sea views of Chesil Beach and lush rolling hillsides, make holiday cottages in Dorchester ideal for a traditional British break. Being just a few miles away from Weymouth and the Jurassic Coast, there’s no lacking in holiday activities here.

Things to do

Dorchester has an exciting past, evidence of which can be seen all over the town. Despite many fires occurring between 1613 and 1725, much of the breathtaking medieval, Roman and other historic sites have remained, beautifully preserved for prosperity.

-Dorchester Museums: are a diverse and eclectic mix and full of interest for many tastes and ages. Their exhibitions also run the gamut of the ages from prehistory to the present day. The museums include the Dorset County Museum (mainly ethnographical and environmental), The Roman Town House, the Dinosaur Museum, the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, the Tutankhamun Exhibition, the Terracotta Warriors Museum, and the Keep Military Museum.

-The Borough Gardens: are located right in the centre of town and are a favourite with visitors in Dorchester holiday homes. A site for festivals and outdoor concerts during the summer months, there is a lovely play area for the kids, a sweeping bowling green, two tennis courts, a small café and don’t miss the clock tower and band stand while you are there.

-The Maiden Castle is a stunning hill fort and the largest in all of England. It was originally occupied way back in 3000 BC and sweeps out over a whopping 45 acres. A complicated network of ditches and fortifications can be found within and the massive walls are some 6 m high. Definitely not to be missed.

-The Thomas Hardy Walk: takes visitors through many of the sights and buildings associated with the famous writer. The aforementioned Dorset Country Museum has a great many artefacts of his and you can also visit his cottage, where he wrote his books and spent a great deal of his later life. The Hardy Walk is just one of four guided walks in the town.

-The Maumbury Rings: are a fascinating tiered monument with wide open spaces and open earth works, each with a different levels of shaft from 3 completely different eras. Careful excavation brought up a number of interesting artefacts which can be viewed at the Dorset Country Museum.

The Weather in Dorchester

The Dorset climate is mild but can be damp in the winter months. The summer weather is perfect for holiday cottages in Dorchester when temperatures can reach the balmy 20°C range.

Getting to Dorchester

Dorchester is just over 26 miles away from Bournemouth International Airport and there are direct bus, coach and rail connections. You can reach Dorchester holiday homes by rail as one of its two stations is on the main London to Weymouth line, or by road with the M3 being the main route and about two and half hour’s drive from London.

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    £57
    avg/night
    • Studio
    • 1 BA
    • Sleeps 2
    Cottage #6472242
    4
      £116
      avg/night
      • 3 BR
      • 2 BA
      • Sleeps 6
      House #8259486
        £67
        avg/night
        • 1 BR
        • Separate Toilet
        • Sleeps 2
        Cottage #1868633
        1
          Excellent! 4.5/5
          (18 reviews)
          £45
          avg/night
          • 1 BR
          • 1 BA
          • Sleeps 3
          Apartment #6720384
          18
          Viewed 105 times in the last 48 hours
            Very Good! 4/5
            (21 reviews)
            £58
            avg/night
            • 1 BR
            • 1 BA
            • Sleeps 4
            Multiple rentals Apartment #1881869
            21
            Viewed 80 times in the last 48 hours
              Wonderful! 4.8/5
              (25 reviews)
              £60
              avg/night
              • 1 BR
              • 1 BA
              • Sleeps 2
              Bungalow #8173070
              25
              Viewed 44 times in the last 48 hours
                Excellent! 4.6/5
                (14 reviews)
                £59
                avg/night
                • 1 BR
                • 1 BA
                • Sleeps 2
                Barn #6860108
                14
                Viewed 44 times in the last 48 hours
                  Wonderful! 4.9/5
                  (16 reviews)
                  £75
                  avg/night
                  • 3 BR
                  • 2 BA
                  • Separate Toilet
                  • Sleeps 5
                  Cottage #8040651
                  16
                  Viewed 55 times in the last 48 hours
                    Wonderful! 4.9/5
                    (19 reviews)
                    £149
                    avg/night
                    • 3 BR
                    • 2 BA
                    • Sleeps 6
                    Cottage #1957346
                    19
                    Viewed 24 times in the last 48 hours
                      Exceptional! 5/5
                      (10 reviews)
                      £63
                      avg/night
                      • 1 BR
                      • 1 BA
                      • Sleeps 2
                      Cottage #8168074
                      10
                      Viewed 56 times in the last 48 hours
                        Wonderful! 4.9/5
                        (47 reviews)
                        £83
                        avg/night
                        • 2 BR
                        • 1 BA
                        • Sleeps 4
                        Cottage #1410080
                        47
                        Viewed 38 times in the last 48 hours
                          Excellent! 4.6/5
                          (19 reviews)
                          £79
                          avg/night
                          • 2 BR
                          • 1 BA
                          • Sleeps 4
                          Cottage #8130957
                          19
                          Viewed 25 times in the last 48 hours
                            Excellent! 4.6/5
                            (23 reviews)
                            £79
                            avg/night
                            • 2 BR
                            • 2 BA
                            • Sleeps 4
                            Cottage #6111562
                            23
                            Viewed 42 times in the last 48 hours
                              Excellent! 4.3/5
                              (23 reviews)
                              £83
                              avg/night
                              • 3 BR
                              • 2 BA
                              • Sleeps 6
                              Cottage #58185
                              23
                              Viewed 41 times in the last 48 hours
                                Exceptional! 5/5
                                (14 reviews)
                                £125
                                avg/night
                                • 2 BR
                                • 2 BA
                                • Sleeps 6
                                Barn #6818810
                                14
                                Viewed 28 times in the last 48 hours
                                  Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                  (46 reviews)
                                  £79
                                  avg/night
                                  • 2 BR
                                  • 1 BA
                                  • Sleeps 4
                                  Barn #8147360
                                  46
                                  Viewed 7 times in the last 48 hours
                                    Very Good! 4/5
                                    (6 reviews)
                                    £65
                                    avg/night
                                    • 1 BR
                                    • 1 BA
                                    • Sleeps 4
                                    Multiple rentals Apartment #1881869
                                    6
                                    Viewed 31 times in the last 48 hours
                                      Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                      (17 reviews)
                                      £62
                                      avg/night
                                      • 2 BR
                                      • 2 BA
                                      • Sleeps 4
                                      Cottage #8071448
                                      17
                                      Viewed 23 times in the last 48 hours
                                        Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                        (23 reviews)
                                        £95
                                        avg/night
                                        • 2 BR
                                        • 1 BA
                                        • Sleeps 6
                                        Chalet #8131170
                                        23
                                        Viewed 39 times in the last 48 hours
                                          Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                          (29 reviews)
                                          £130
                                          avg/night
                                          • 4 BR
                                          • 2 BA
                                          • Sleeps 8
                                          House #8158262
                                          29
                                          Viewed 33 times in the last 48 hours
                                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                            (26 reviews)
                                            £100
                                            avg/night
                                            • 2 BR
                                            • 1 BA
                                            • Sleeps 4
                                            Cottage #1840656
                                            26
                                            Viewed 21 times in the last 48 hours
                                              Exceptional! 5/5
                                              (20 reviews)
                                              £125
                                              avg/night
                                              • 4 BR
                                              • 4 BA
                                              • Sleeps 8
                                              Farmhouse #8095985
                                              20
                                              Viewed 53 times in the last 48 hours
                                                Exceptional! 5/5
                                                (11 reviews)
                                                £72
                                                avg/night
                                                • 2 BR
                                                • 1 BA
                                                • Sleeps 6
                                                Cottage #6502202
                                                11
                                                Viewed 29 times in the last 48 hours
                                                  Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                  (19 reviews)
                                                  £54
                                                  avg/night
                                                  • 3 BR
                                                  • 1 BA
                                                  • Sleeps 6
                                                  House #8059286
                                                  19
                                                  Viewed 22 times in the last 48 hours
                                                    Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                    (6 reviews)
                                                    £90
                                                    avg/night
                                                    • 3 BR
                                                    • 2 BA
                                                    • Sleeps 5
                                                    Cottage #8145876
                                                    6
                                                    Viewed 42 times in the last 48 hours
                                                      Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                      (10 reviews)
                                                      £131
                                                      avg/night
                                                      • Studio
                                                      • 3 BA
                                                      • Sleeps 8
                                                      House #6794276
                                                      10
                                                      Viewed 22 times in the last 48 hours
                                                        Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                        (17 reviews)
                                                        £63
                                                        avg/night
                                                        • 3 BR
                                                        • 1 BA
                                                        • Separate Toilet
                                                        • Sleeps 6
                                                        Cabin #8159114
                                                        17
                                                        Viewed 91 times in the last 48 hours
                                                          Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                          (18 reviews)
                                                          £54
                                                          avg/night
                                                          • 1 BR
                                                          • 1 BA
                                                          • Separate Toilet
                                                          • Sleeps 2
                                                          Cottage #8118181
                                                          18
                                                          Viewed 10 times in the last 48 hours
                                                            Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                            (19 reviews)
                                                            £80
                                                            avg/night
                                                            • 2 BR
                                                            • 1 BA
                                                            • Sleeps 4
                                                            Cottage #8144289
                                                            19
                                                            Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours
                                                              £220
                                                              avg/night
                                                              • 6 BR
                                                              • 4 BA
                                                              • Sleeps 12
                                                              House #8180023
                                                              4
                                                              Viewed 52 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                (6 reviews)
                                                                £99
                                                                avg/night
                                                                • 2 BR
                                                                • 1 BA
                                                                • Sleeps 4
                                                                Cottage #8128373
                                                                6
                                                                Viewed 32 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                  Very Good! 4.1/5
                                                                  (14 reviews)
                                                                  £61
                                                                  avg/night
                                                                  • 2 BR
                                                                  • 1 BA
                                                                  • Sleeps 4
                                                                  Cottage #1786308
                                                                  14
                                                                  Viewed 23 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                    £147
                                                                    avg/night
                                                                    • 3 BR
                                                                    • 3 BA
                                                                    • Separate Toilet
                                                                    • Sleeps 6
                                                                    Cottage #6732238
                                                                    3
                                                                    Viewed 16 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                      Very Good! 4.2/5
                                                                      (6 reviews)
                                                                      £60
                                                                      avg/night
                                                                      • 2 BR
                                                                      • 1 BA
                                                                      • Sleeps 4
                                                                      Cottage #1677666
                                                                      6
                                                                      Viewed 22 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                        Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                        (3 reviews)
                                                                        £88
                                                                        avg/night
                                                                        • Studio
                                                                        • 2 BA
                                                                        • Sleeps 6
                                                                        House #6721206
                                                                        3
                                                                        Viewed 14 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                          Excellent! 4.6/5
                                                                          (27 reviews)
                                                                          £94
                                                                          avg/night
                                                                          • 2 BR
                                                                          • 2 BA
                                                                          • Sleeps 6
                                                                          Multiple rentals Barn #851903
                                                                          27
                                                                          Viewed 52 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                            Wonderful! 4.9/5
                                                                            (45 reviews)
                                                                            £140
                                                                            avg/night
                                                                            • 5 BR
                                                                            • 2 BA
                                                                            • Separate Toilet
                                                                            • Sleeps 12
                                                                            House #8087990
                                                                            45
                                                                            Viewed 37 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                              £67
                                                                              avg/night
                                                                              • 2 BR
                                                                              • 1 BA
                                                                              • Sleeps 3
                                                                              Cottage #6543092
                                                                              4
                                                                              Viewed 36 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                Excellent! 4.4/5
                                                                                (13 reviews)
                                                                                £50
                                                                                avg/night
                                                                                • 1 BR
                                                                                • 1 BA
                                                                                • Sleeps 2
                                                                                Cabin #8075632
                                                                                13
                                                                                Viewed 68 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                  Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                  (6 reviews)
                                                                                  £75
                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                  • 2 BR
                                                                                  • 1 BA
                                                                                  • Separate Toilet
                                                                                  • Sleeps 5
                                                                                  Cottage #824801
                                                                                  6
                                                                                  Viewed 25 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                    Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                                    (7 reviews)
                                                                                    £73
                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                    • 3 BR
                                                                                    • 1 BA
                                                                                    • Sleeps 6
                                                                                    Cottage #8112281
                                                                                    7
                                                                                    Viewed 61 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                      Exceptional! 5/5
                                                                                      (24 reviews)
                                                                                      £75
                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                      • 1 BR
                                                                                      • 1 BA
                                                                                      • Sleeps 3
                                                                                      Bungalow #8172205
                                                                                      24
                                                                                      Viewed 16 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                        Excellent! 4.6/5
                                                                                        (9 reviews)
                                                                                        £46
                                                                                        avg/night
                                                                                        • 2 BR
                                                                                        • 1 BA
                                                                                        • Sleeps 5
                                                                                        Apartment #6552523
                                                                                        9
                                                                                        Viewed 13 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                          £75
                                                                                          avg/night
                                                                                          • 2 BR
                                                                                          • 1 BA
                                                                                          • Sleeps 5
                                                                                          House #6934957
                                                                                          4
                                                                                          Viewed 10 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                            Excellent! 4.4/5
                                                                                            (9 reviews)
                                                                                            £75
                                                                                            avg/night
                                                                                            • 1 BR
                                                                                            • 1 BA
                                                                                            • Sleeps 5
                                                                                            Multiple rentals Barn #851903
                                                                                            9
                                                                                            Viewed 32 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                              Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                              (11 reviews)
                                                                                              £99
                                                                                              avg/night
                                                                                              • 2 BR
                                                                                              • 1 BA
                                                                                              • Sleeps 5
                                                                                              Cottage #8171553
                                                                                              11
                                                                                              Viewed 37 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                Excellent! 4.5/5
                                                                                                (6 reviews)
                                                                                                £75
                                                                                                avg/night
                                                                                                • 2 BR
                                                                                                • 1 BA
                                                                                                • Sleeps 4
                                                                                                Cottage #8072577
                                                                                                6
                                                                                                Viewed 14 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                  Excellent! 4.7/5
                                                                                                  (18 reviews)
                                                                                                  £77
                                                                                                  avg/night
                                                                                                  • 2 BR
                                                                                                  • 1 BA
                                                                                                  • Sleeps 6
                                                                                                  Apartment #1746708
                                                                                                  18
                                                                                                  Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                    Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                                    (32 reviews)
                                                                                                    £104
                                                                                                    avg/night
                                                                                                    • 1 BR
                                                                                                    • 1 BA
                                                                                                    • Sleeps 2
                                                                                                    Cottage #8150478
                                                                                                    32
                                                                                                    Viewed 60 times in the last 48 hours
                                                                                                      Wonderful! 4.8/5
                                                                                                      (15 reviews)
                                                                                                      £84
                                                                                                      avg/night
                                                                                                      • 2 BR
                                                                                                      • 2 BA
                                                                                                      • Separate Toilet
                                                                                                      • Sleeps 4
                                                                                                      Cottage #8159006
                                                                                                      15
                                                                                                      Viewed 20 times in the last 48 hours

                                                                                                      Dorchester Holiday Cottages & Homes (300+)

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                                                                                                      Recent Reviews

                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      Lovely quiet retreat

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      A lovely little retreat, very clean, well kept property in a fantasic place close to the Juarassic Coast and beautiful places to explore. Very friendly and helpful owner who lives next to the property. Would definateley recommend this property to friends and hopefully return ourselves. Our dog loved the enclosed garden.
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Jul 21, 2017
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: Jul 2017
                                                                                                      View property

                                                                                                      Very well equipped, comfortable and relaxing

                                                                                                      5 of 5
                                                                                                      The main purpose of our visit was to take a break from our busy lives and chill out. This is the perfect cottage for that. It is very well equipped, close to lots of places worth visiting and all helped by Mick and Carol's warm welcome, expert advice and guidance. The well maintained garden is a delight, with lots of visiting birds to watch on the lawn and on the nut feeders. It's worth noting that the cottage is in a wi-fi "not spot". This was great for us as we were having a phone and internet-free week but there is phone signal just a few metres walk up the path and wi-fi connection can be obtained from the owners' house, if you need it. We loved our stay and I'm sure we'll be returning next year.
                                                                                                      ... continue reading
                                                                                                      • Review Submitted: Jul 21, 2017
                                                                                                      • Date of Stay: Jul 2017