Holiday Blog

Our competition winners 3 day break at Ocean Wave, Weymouth

Towards the end of 2011 we launched a competition to win a 3 night break in Ocean Wave Apartment in Weymouth from February 3rd – 6th 2012. Details here: http://www.dream-cottages.co.uk/blog/2011/12/14/win-a-free-three-night-holiday-in-dorset-with-dream-cottages/. We were inundated with responses and, once again, we would like to thank you for all the entrants and for spreading the message on different forums.

Our winner Nicola Bostock, emailed us with some lovely photos and a message saying how much she enjoyed the stay in Dorset with her family. We’re glad you enjoyed it Nicola and thanks for the great pictures you sent through.

“Thank you to all at Dream Cottages for a lovely holiday. We loved the apartment, it was fantastic. Dorset is wonderful, so many things to see. We managed Chesil Beach, Portland, Lulworth Cove, Tolpuddle and last but by no means least The Cerne Abbas Giant (one of the few things that has ever caused my son to look up from his iPod!!). We will definitely be back.”

Weymouth sunset from Ocean Wave ApartmentDream Cottages competition winner February 2012 - Ocean Wave Apartment

 

Hidden gems of Purbeck – Moreton village

Moreton Tea RoomsIf you are looking for a romantic valentine break in Dorset with a difference then we would recommend a visit to the Purbeck region of Dorset. Purbeck has something to offer everyone whether you are looking for rural relaxation with walks along the South West Coast Path which spans the World Heritage site Jurassic Coastline or a break which takes in the many towns around the region, including Anglo Saxon Wareham, coastal Swanage and the quirky abandoned village of Tyneham.

Away from the traditional haunts of the region, however, there are some hidden gems that are not so obvious to the casual visitor, including the delightful village of Moreton in which you can visit T.E. Lawrence’s grave (He of Lawrence of Arabia fame) or visit the wonderful Moreton tea rooms which were recently voted one of the 30 best places for brunch in The Times guide. Below is what the Times say:

“Hearty brunch served until midday – beans on toast, scrambled egg and smoked salmon or a giant traditional breakfast for £7.95. An airy and cheerful conversion of the old schoolhouse.”

If you are looking for a cottage break in Purbeck then we can offer the following properties which would be suitable as a base for you to explore the region:

Brickyard Cottage, Moreton

Located in Moreton itself, near the railway station, Brickyard is a delightful traditional built cottage with a summer house in the garden and small furnished patio.
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Dairy House Cottage, East Knighton

Situated about 3 miles from Moreton in the small peaceful hamlet of East Knighton, Dairy House cottage is thatched and tastefully furnished with low ceilings and oak beams.
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The Coach House, Dewlish, Dorchester

Situated in the quiet village of Dewlish, in the heart of the Dorset Countryside, The Coach House is a recent conversion, with the original building dating back to the early 1900′s.
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Trinity Cottage

One Trinity Cottage is in an enviable position for exploring Dorset’s rolling hills. It is a semi-detached cottage nestled away up a gravel drive in the heart of Godmanstone only a short drive from the historic county town of Dorchester.
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Enjoy a romantic cottage break in Dorset this valentines day

If you are looking for a romantic cottage break in Dorset over valentines day or february half term then we have a number of properties available at 20% discount which are suitable for couples looking to escape the post christmas blues or those looking to book a half term holiday with their children. We have selected a few of them below:

Apple Barn Cottage, Burton Bradstock

http://www.dream-cottages.co.uk/cottage-details/APPTR

Apple Tree Cottage - external view

A charming traditional thatched cottage set in the village of Burton Bradstock – a picture postcard rural Dorset village which has a choice of two pubs and is in walking distance to Hive Beach. The property also welcomes up to three pets

Only £381 for 7 nights

Wheatsheaf Cottage, Askerswell

http://www.dream-cottages.co.uk/cottage-details/WHEAT

Wheatsheaf Cottage, Askerswell

Wheatsheaf cottage is a Grade II listed end terrace cottage situated in the village of Askerswell which is a short distance from the market town of Bridport. It is set in the Asker valley beneath the Iron Age hill fort of Eggardon hill. The cottage is a recent stone barn conversion which also boasts a pretty and enclosed garden offering a peaceful location in the shadow of the 15th Century St Michael’s Church Tower.

Only £322 for 7 nights

Dream View, Weymouth

http://www.dream-cottages.co.uk/cottage-details/DREAM

Dream View apartment, Weymouth

Enjoying amazing uninterrupted sea views from the beach to the horizon, Dream View is aptly named. It is a comfortable, light and airy second-floor apartment located on the esplanade in the sought-after Greenhill area of Weymouth with the benefit of a private off-road parking space. Greenhill Gardens with their pretty display of blooms in summer and nearby pastel coloured beach huts and palm trees give the area an upmarket seaside feel.

Only £362 for 7 nights

For a full range of all our properties available over february half term and valentines day, go to: http://www.dream-cottages.co.uk/special-offers/dosearch/10-02-2012/17-02-2012//2///2////////////////. If you are interested in a shorter break of less than 7 nights (our minimum stay is 3 nights) then please email us at: admin@dream-cottages.co.uk.

Or you can call us on: 01305 789000 and one of our friendly booking agents will be able to advise you on availability.

What makes a perfect cottage holiday in Dorset?

If you could imagine the perfect cottage holiday in Dorset, what would it consist of? We’ve put together some ideas in this blog post but these are just a few of the ingredients that we try and provide for our guests at Dream Cottages. We’ll be inviting you to submit your own holiday ideas, experiences, opinions via our Facebook page.

Comfort – This is a key ingredient of most holidays, not just cottage holidays and when it comes down to it, who doesn’t want comfort to be a key part of their holiday. We pride ourselves on carefully selecting all the properties in our portfolio and that includes advising owners on the importance of making sure guests are as comfortable as possible. This doesn’t just apply to the importance of comfortable, attractive decor and furnishings for their property but also providing the finer touches such as welcome packs for guests, which really make a good impression when you first arrive at a property.

Local Attractions – Holidaymakers have different expectations when it comes to planning their trip. For some it is important to be in close proximity to a wealth of family attractions so being in the centre of a town like Weymouth would be high up on their list of priorities. For others, it is more important to be away from the hubbub of noise and crowds so a peaceful rural location would fit the bill; somewhere where you can take in a country pub or enjoy walking in the local area. Whatever your requirements, we have properties to suit all tastes and interests.

Pet friendly properties – It seems every year we notice an increased interest in customers wanting to book a dog friendly cottage holiday. We have over 120 properties suitable for pets and they can all be viewed via our specialist website: www.doggycottages.co.uk.

Child Friendly properties – The vast majority of our properties are suitable for children and infants but please check before booking as some are more suitable than others. If you are in doubt, you can always email us or call us and we will be happy to clarify for you.

The weather – Ok, we admit we can’t do much about this! We do, however, encourage you to check forecasts, ask us what the weather has been like in Dorset or even look at the weather cams on this very page prior to booking if this is important to you.

What are the most important factors for you which would help to make the perfect cottage holiday? Please share your experiences with us on our Facebook or Twitter page.

Short cottage breaks for Christmas and New Year in Dorset

It’s not too late to enjoy a late availability cottage break in Dorset over christmas and new year. We are now offering short breaks on a large number of these special offer properties so you can enjoy up to 25% discount off of short breaks as well as week bookings over this period. This means you can enjoy a last minute cottage break for even less.

Whether you are looking for a fun family break or quiet romantic getaway, there is plenty happening in Dorset over the christmas and new year period. We have compiled a short list of upcoming events below:

Swanage Steam Railway – Santa specials

December 22nd – December 24th

Come and meet Santa on his special train. Wrapped present for every child from Santa himself as well as complimentary soft drink and biscuit. Check out the website below for running times for the train.

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/

Christmas Day Harbour swim – Weymouth

December 25th

Weymouth Harbour sponsored swimIf you’re feeling brave, fit and want to support a charitable cause then it’s not too late to get sponsored for the annual swim across Weymouth harbour. Weymouth and Portland Lions are organising the event and over 150 people took part last year. Even if you don’t want to join in, it promises to be an enjoyable spectacle.

http://www.weymouthlionsclub.co.uk/

New Year’s Eve Party – Kingston Country Courtyard, Corfe Castle

New Years Eve party - Corfe CastleNew Year’s Eve special disco and buffet with a glass of bubbly at midnight. “Why not make it an extra special night and book a room at our special New Years Eve rate. Enjoy fantastic accommodation and a special New Years Day Breakfast”

http://www.kingstoncountrycourtyard.com/

Win a free holiday in Dorset with Dream Cottages

It’s competition time! If you are looking to brighten up your new year and relieve the post christmas blues then we have the perfect opportunity. We are offering a free three night break in one of our properties from February 3rd – February 6th 2012. This prize is worth £300 and all you have to do to win it is either “Like” our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter between now and January 3rd 2012.

To “Like” our Facebook page go to: http://www.facebook.com/DreamCottagesDorset and click the “Like” button.

To follow us on Twitter, go to: http://www.twitter.com/DreamCottages and click “Follow”.

The winner will be drawn at random from a list of our Facebook fans and Twitter followers in January 2012 and announced on our website, Facebook page and Twitter stream. If you are already following us then you will automatically be entered into the draw as well.

This prize is worth over £300 and the lucky winner gets to stay in Ocean Wave apartment in Weymouth which has a prime seafront location with wonderful gardens overlooking the sea. This is a two bedroom apartment which sleeps up to four guests in total and the winner is entitled to bring them along for a free holiday as well.

Full competition terms and conditions will be published in due course.

Ocean Wave apartment in Weymouth, Dorset

Christmas and New Year Holidays in Dorset

Although Dorset is generally seen as a summer destination for travellers who want to soak up the sun on the magnificent coastlines, pretty rural villages and traditional seaside towns, it is also a great place to stay for christmas and new year breaks. A christmas cottage in dorset can be a chance for couple to spend a romantic break away or maybe gives the family a chance to unwind in a home from home setting. Whatever your plans or intentions we have a variety of properties suitable for spending christmas and new year in Dorset. You may be looking to spend a quiet xmas away but if not then there are a variety of festive events planned in the county. A few of them have been listed below:

2nd December – Beaminster Christmas Festival

Father Christmas will be leading the exciting Parade from Beaminster Fire Station at 5.45pm through the town to The Square. There will be carols around the Christmas Tree with the Phoenix Brass Band, and the town will celebrate the Lighting of the Tree at 7pm. Further attractions will be the Hog Roast, Father Christmas Grotto ( from 6.15pm) and lots and lots of stalls!

9th December – Christmas Market, Lyme Regis

Quality handmade gifts: wood pottery, glass, jewellery, paintings, photos, prints, metalwork. Friday 5pm – 9pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm

16th December – The Magic of Christmas Show, Bridport

Billed as an alternative to a traditional pantomime, The Magic of Christmas show promises great family entertainment. Guaranteed fun and laughter abound as international magician, Damian Jay, heads up a wonderful cast and creates the most fun you will ever have in a festive show.

22nd December – Winter Solstice at Studland

Experience the sunrise on the shortest day of the year at Old Harry Rocks. Finish with a cooked breakfast at Knoll Beach Cafe. Please bring torches. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Adults £10, children £6

We are offering discounts on selected holiday cottages booked for a week between 21st December 2011 and 4th January 2012. See below:

Christmas and new year holiday cottages in Dorset