Dorset | Family Holidays in UK - Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Lake District, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Our award winning Web site has a comprehensive search facility enabling you to find your dream holiday cottage for you, your family and even your pet. Search our wide range of family friendly cottages for properties with sea views, an enclosed garden or within walking distance from the beach for example then check availability and reserve on-line.

Alternatively, you can tap into our expertise and let us do the searching for you by contacting us on 01326 555 555.

We have hundreds of stylish country properties run by friendly families in superb rural settings. Choice of accommodation includes B&B and self-catering in cottages, converted farm buildings, log cabins or caravans as well as a selection of touring camp/caravanning sites. Whichever you choose, comfort is guaranteed, as is a warm, truly genuine welcome.

Every property has been inspected and quality assessed under National Tourist Boards’ grading schemes and /or those operated by the AA.

Visit the Farm Stay UK website to plan the perfect holiday or short break where your whole family can enjoy fresh air, fine views, real home cooking and that special sense of well-being that only a stay in the country can bring.

We are passionate owners who know your time off is precious. Our top priority is to do everything to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. And, with 1,000 houses around the UK in the collection - from small, romantic boltholes, to large luxurious houses; from picture-perfect cottages to cutting edge design - there should be one to suit you! Many have fantastic onsite facilities (swimming pools, spas, acres of freedom, even private beaches), and include child-friendly homes-from-home and pet-friendly cottages where your dog or even your horse are welcome!

With Premier Cottages, you book direct with each owner and so benefit from a whole reservoir of local knowledge. Most also offer extra touches that can change a holiday from good to great, from welcome hampers and home cooked meals, to spa treatments and on- and off-site activities.

Get inspired for your next holiday on:

You have no need to pile the car with all the extra essentials, as we cater for young children by providing facilities for toddlers including cots, stair gates and high chairs at many cottages. All linen is included (cot linen is sometimes the exception). When you arrive, we greet you with a specially selected complimentary hamper to provide for your immediate needs, a chilled bottle of wine for yourselves, juice and some light snack and breakfast provisions, so there is no need to dash out looking for a pint of milk as soon as you arrive!

But most importantly it is our enchanting locations which cater for your children the most, Children love water and many cottages have beaches within easy driving distance and over 20 properties have swimming pools. Being in rural locations, many have walks just outside the door (we have many dog-friendly properties) and are situated in areas which abound in wildlife. Activities suited to families with youngsters are well advertised in the welcome packs we supply at each cottage.

Furthermore children are not tied to the timetable of a hotel - you can stick pretty much to their normal routine in a Rural Retreats Cottage, our trademark being quality cottages supplying complete home from home comfort. For example, most of our properties are stocked with books, games, toys, dvds and videos and many have a children’s snug, den or a children’s tv room. Properties with safe, fully enclosed gardens are indicated in the property description. Bikes or cycle hire are often available and we can often provide other services to make your stay more liberating, such as babysitters or a dinner delivery service. Many properties have extra facilities such as a games room with table tennis, table football etc. Many have large grassed areas, for various fun activities such as ball sports or kite flying, and well equipped play areas with wendy houses, play areas and trampolines to keep your children safely amused around the cottage.

It is very important for us to find you a property that best meets your requirements so that you can enjoy a wonderful family holiday. Please contact us on 01386 701177 where a member of our experienced team will have first hand knowledge of our properties and will be happy to help with any information you need and can take your booking. Alternatively, please visit our website at www.ruralretreats.co.uk where you will be able to view details and availability of your chosen Rural Retreat. We hope you and your family find your ideal holiday retreat!

Family discounts available for members:

• Children under six years old camp for free all year round
• Six to 17 year olds camp for free in low season when accompanied by an adult
• Special family deals available for a family of two adults and up to four children under 18 in mid and high season from £10.85 to £33.50 per night

Many of our Club Sites feature excellent facilities for children of all ages, including play areas, recreation halls, large areas for ball games and parent and child washrooms. Plus several provide easy access to some of the countries most popular family tourist attractions.

Visit our website to join online or call our membership hotline on 0845 130 7632 to find out more.

• An unrivalled selection of over 250 hand-picked cottages, houses and apartments across Dorset many perfect for holidaying with children
• Great locations in sought after areas within Dorset, including Weymouth, Portland, Swanage, Lulworth, West Bay, Bridport and Corfe. Many properties within walking distance of a beach or situated in pretty Dorset villages.
• Properties suitable for groups from 2 to 12 people.
• Open all year and offering a selection of breaks to suit you, including off peak, late availability and Christmas / New Year breaks as well as standard peak season weekly bookings.
• Properties are independently VisitBritain inspected and rated.
• Log on to our website for 360º Virtual Tours of each property, online booking and availability.
  

Graston Copse Holiday Park is a short distance from the village and is set amongst mature trees adjacent to Graston Copse. It is surrounded by countryside with the local beach about 5 minutes away by car or a leisurely walk across the fields. Previously known as Coastal Holiday Park, Graston Copse Holiday Park has been popular for many years as a very quiet and peaceful environment with the village and coastal amenities a short distance away.

Both our Caravan Owners and visitors are always first to say what an exceptional park this is for wildlife and that countryside feeling. Graston Copse, named after the Copse that surrounds it, has its own wildlife walk along the river bank of the river Bride. Graston Copse Holiday Park has been awarded David Bellamy Gold Status for wildlife conservation since 2006.

Graston Copse Holiday Park is divided into 2 areas: Graston Copse which is home to privately owned Caravan Holiday Homes; and Riverside, which from its name is a meadow along the river Bride, for Touring and Camping holidays.

The park offers a range of holiday accommodation for families including luxury pine lodges, caravans, apartments and first floor ensuite rooms available by the night. Along with modern facilities for tents and tourers.

On-site facilities include experienced child carers that run daytime and evening clubs for children during the main summer school holidays. Newlands offer a verity of workshops including Pottery, Circus skill and new for 2012 Balloon modelling. There are indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, an onsite shop selling all the essentials, fun indoor & outdoor activity play areas and entertainment throughout the year. We serve bar food in the lounge at lunch time and during the evening which offers a family friendly varied and interesting menu using locally sourced produce.

We are open for hire accommodation and touring from February half term until 30th November. See our website for full details.

One of the features of the park is a duck pond near the entrance with a collection of various breeds of geese and ducks. The fenced pond is enjoyed by adults and children particularly when the eggs hatch and the young ducklings follow 'mum' around the island.

Sandyholme Holiday Park is well positioned for the coastline – Weymouth and Portland [home of the 2012 Olympics for Sailing]; Purbeck and Swanage; Poole and Bournemouth and the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline. Moving inland places to visit include the County Town of Dorchester, Prince Charles’ Poundbury Village and the surrounding Thomas Hardy Countryside. Sandyholme Holiday Park is surrounded by many of Dorset’s rural towns and villages where you can visit for the day and try some local produce. All of these towns are easily accessible either by car or train.

The Tourist Information on park will give you all the details you need about the area as well as the local events and attractions that are on the doorstep, Monkey World and the Tank Museum for instance.

Sandyholme Holiday Park is divided into 2 areas: Sandyholme which is home to privately owned Caravan Holiday Homes; and the Touring Park which is open for seasonal tourers and on the lower and upper meadows for Camping holidays.

The hotel has a quiet location, looking out over the trees and the slopes of Alum Chine to the bay. It has free Wi-Fi, free parking, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a spa bath and heated indoor and outdoor pools.

The Riviera Hotel & Holiday Apartments Alum Chine is a very short walk from the clean, sandy beach of Alum chine, Bournemouth pier is a mile (1.6 km) along the seafront

Find out how canals were built, where the amazing roses and castles painted boats and cans came from and just where that canal near you goes to. All this and lots more at Canal Junction.

Named after the famous Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast, Golden Cap Holiday Park is surrounded by over 2,000 acres of National Trust Golden Cap Estate. It is ideally situated for walking and rambling over the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline and a perfect base for exploring this unique and unspoiled West Dorset countryside.

To the West is the breathtaking climb to the peak of Golden Cap where you can take in the views of the Lyme Bay coastline or continue your walk to Charmouth or Lyme Regis. To the East a walk up past Thorncombe Beacon will drop you down into the picturesque seaside village of Eype and more importantly to the sister park to Golden Cap - Highlands End, where you are welcome to stop to use the facilities as a guest of West Dorset Leisure Holidays.

It has been a favourite holiday destination since the family opened the Holiday Park in 1971. Being just 500 metres from the lovely unspolied Eype Beach; Highlands End is at cliff top height with outstanding panoramic views over Lyme Bay - Portland Bill and Weymouth Harbour to the East and Lyme Regis, Beer and Torbay to the West. To the North, far reaching views of rural Dorset, with its picturesque villages, and home to the historic Thomas Hardy country.

Highlands End is a perfect setting for your family self-catering holiday whether you choose to take in the view while camping or touring in your own caravan or Motorhome or stay in one of our luxury Caravan Holiday Homes, Apartments or Bungalows. The Holiday Park is ideal for trips out for all the family, this includes dogs who are welcome at all West Dorset Leisure Holidays' parks.

With a full linen service, welcome packs on arrival and the attention to detail guaranteed by our comprehensive management service, Quay Holidays work harder to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Quay Holidays was set up in response to what we perceived to be a significant gap in the Poole and Dorset holiday lettings market, namely in the letting and management of top quality self-contained luxury holiday apartments. Whilst there are agents locally who offer a one-size-fits-all approach to letting traditional ‘bucket and spade’ holiday properties in Poole nobody, we felt, offered a comprehensive service geared to the expectations of more discerning clients seeking 4 and 5 * accommodation.

With a 10 year background in property management in London, we began managing our own self-catering holiday apartment in Dolphin Quays three years ago. Our success in attracting both new and repeat business came to the attention of other owners in the building, who asked whether we would be prepared to take over the running of their self catering holiday lettings as well!

We have a lettings team based at our shop premises in Poole Old Town, who ensure that prospective clients can speak to us at any time between 9.30am and 10.00pm, 7 days a week.

We very much hope you choose Poole as your next holiday destination, and we look forward to welcoming you into one of our properties. Please browse through our self catering properties and Dorset holiday lettings.

From beautiful cottages in quiet idyllic country settings to luxury beach side apartments with stunning views or Scandinavian log cabins to town houses. With a diverse range of holiday cottages and self catering accommodation, we are sure you’ll find the perfect place for a short break, family holiday, seasonal get away or even a business trip.

There is no commission fee charged and Independent Cottages can put you in contact with over 1000 independent holiday cottage owners. With a ‘Late Availability’ search facility; whether you are planning your summer holiday in advance or want to get away at short notice, Independent Cottages has something for everyone.

Visit our easy to use website today to search for self catering accommodation within the UK.

Choose from a huge range of lodges in different gorgeous settings such as idyllic rural locations or near beautiful beaches and water sports. Developments offer a wide range of facilities to suit your family’s needs.

So whether you are seeking a quiet, peaceful holiday away from it all, an active holiday with the children where there is lots to do, or perhaps a romantic weekend break cuddling up in front of a roaring fire, Just Lodges is the perfect place to find all the information you will need to help you make the best choices.

We offer a wide range of residential courses and day workshops and relaxing holidays that provide an inspiring escape for all ages. Family week holidays with themes like Bushcraft, Fossil-finding and Theatre offer a rare opportunity to play and learn together (while someone else does the cooking!).

We are set amid rolling hills and our location, within walking distance of the stunning Jurassic coast, makes us the perfect base for exploring the beautiful Dorset countryside and coast. Our main building is a charming Grade II listed rectory built in 1848. The house accommodates up to 35 visitors in two to six bedded rooms. Wood-burning stoves ensure warm and cosy surroundings at any time of the year. Facilities include a beautiful sitting room with grand piano, a healing room with massage table, and facilities for making music, pottery and other arts and crafts. We are surrounded by terraced lawns, a small wood, an orchard, fields leading down to a stream and an inspiring Victorian walled vegetable garden.

Visit our website or contact us for details of our forthcoming workshops and courses or to enquire about a short break or longer holiday.

Sykes Cottages is the UK's leading independent cottage rental agency and with over 25 years of experience you can rest assured that your Sykes holiday cottage will be of the highest standard. Sykes Cottages have holiday homes to suit every taste and budget, from coastal cottages in Cornwall, to rustic log cabins in Scotland, and everything in between. Farm holidays, pet friendly cottages, cottages with swimming pools, and beach cottages are just some of the great accommodation options you will find at Sykes Cottages.

The Sykes Cottages website has been designed with the user in mind and provides you with comprehensive property information and photographs to help you choose the best cottage for your needs. Call our friendly holiday advisors if you would like more information, or make your booking completely online, the choice is yours.

At Sykes Cottages we understand how special family holidays are and we make every effort to ensure that each and every one is memorable, for all the right reasons.

Call or visit our website today, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Visit our website to see lodges in beautifully rural locations close to stunning scenery and glorious beaches, perfect for relaxing and pursuing leisure activities including fishing, golfing, swimming and walking or for the more energetic we have a fantastic selection of family fun parks offering a host of facilities and entertainment for the whole family. We also offer winter sports lodges for your skiing holiday in the UK as well as a selection of pet friendly and pet free accommodation.

The choice is entirely yours to discover and enjoy! Happy holiday!

The zig-zag path leads down the cliff to the famous sandy beach and the cliff lift is a short walk along the cliff top.

For Children we supply travel cots and high chairs and have an extensive Children's menu or offer Child's portions of our Table D'Hote Dinner menu. We have large family rooms or inter-connecting rooms with bunk beds.

In the school holidays we have Children's entertainment two afternoons a week and a family disco three evenings a week, leisure facilities include indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, fitness room, squash courts, table tennis and snooker.

For family holidays in the South West, look no further than Toad Hall Cottages, specialists for good quality coastal, rural and waterside properties in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

Be it a house on the beach, a moorland hideaway, a 6-bedroom dream home with a swimming pool, croquet lawn and trampoline, a luxury apartment or a romantic cottage for a couple and a baby, where dogs are welcome too, Toad Hall Cottages have something for everyone.

Our user friendly website has honest and detailed property descriptions, wonderful photographs and also an excellent search filter enabling you find exactly what you’re looking for, along with up to date availability and online booking.

Every property is carefully selected, personally inspected and is of high quality, ensuring peace of mind for a wonderful holiday for all the family.

Why not call our friendly, helpful and efficient team for our highly acclaimed brochure:

Theme Parks: Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington WoA, LEGOLAND Windsor, Disneyland Resort Paris, Port Aventura, Disney World Resort, Florida, Orlando FlexTickets - and much more.
Heritage Sites: HM Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Warwick Castle, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, Warwick Castle, Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Visitor Attractions: London Eye, The Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, Original London Sightseeing Tour, The Big Bus Company, Jorvik Viking Centre, Ripley's Beleive it or Not!
Natural World: London Zoo, London Aquarium, 10 UK SEA LIFE Centres, Whipsnade Zoo
River Sightseeing: London Ducktours, City Cruises, Thames Clippers, Flying Fish Jet Boat Tours
Eating Out: Hard Rock Café VIP Meal, Medieval Banquet, Bateaux London

Plus much more!

The Sandbanks Hotel
15 Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset BH13 7PS

Tel: 01202 707377 (main hotel)
Tel: 0845 3371550 (Reservations)
Fax: 01202 708885
Email: enquiries@sandbankshotel.co.uk

The Sandbanks Hotel has 116 en-suite bedrooms, including a variety of family accommodation. Located right on the infamous blue flagged Sandbanks Beach, with its own Watersports Academy situated next door. There are both indoor and outdoor play areas. There is a choice of two restaurants, with children also having the option to dine in the Surf Shack children’s restaurant. Also available are relaxing lounges, bars, and the Oasis Spa and leisure club.

The Chine Hotel
Boscombe Spa Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH5 1AX

Tel: 01202 396234 (main hotel)
Tel: 0845 3371550 (Reservations)
Fax: 01202 391737
Email: enquiries@chinehotel.co.uk

The Chine Hotel comprises of 88 en-suite bedrooms, including different combinations of family accommodation. Set in three acres of matured gardens, with woodland path leading down to Boscombe promenade, pier and beach. There are both indoor and outdoor play areas, and pools with the indoor forming part of the Roman Spa Leisure Centre. There is a choice of two restaurants, bars and a relaxing lounge area overlooking the gardens.

Childcare
Our crèche (the Den) is open all year round and is free of charge to residents. This is not the only area where children can play - we also have an outdoor play area with a sandpit, climbing frame, slide and swings.High tea is served in the Children's Tea Room from 5.00 p.m. and is a two course buffet which changes on a daily basis. There are delicious healthy options always available.

Price
From £165 per night Inclusive of DBB for two adults. (10% reduction for single parents)

Accommodation
Most rooms are great for families – our Deluxe and Luxury doubles are fantastic spaces with the children in the same room, whilst we also have interconnecting rooms, large suites and huge Coach Houses for families who require a little more space.

Facilities
Indoor swimming pools, badminton, tennis, a Verandah building has a large indoor play area with giant board games and trampolines!

Location
Overlooks Chesil beach, the heart of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. 

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