Bell Cottage, Dorchester

Dorset. Sleeps up to 2

Nestled in a conservation area in a residential street close to the centre of the market town of Dorchester, sits this delightful, Grade II listed home from home, Bell Cottage. Within 200m you will find both a tranquil, leafy path alongside Dorset’s River Frome, and Dorchester’s bustling main shopping street, with a variety of pubs, restaurants and dog- friendly cafés nearby, making this ‘pets welcome’ cottage ideal for a couple and their canine companion. There is easy access on foot to miles of public footpaths and cycleways through the Dorset countryside, as well as the modern Brewery Square development with its popular restaurants, galleries and cinema. If you prefer to travel by car, there is a car park just 50 metres away. Whether your day has been spent rambling on the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast, exploring one of Dorchester’s eight museums, or visiting its wide range of galleries and shops - including a couple of excellent antiques and curiosities centres - you’ll be glad to step into the porch where you can kick off your shoes and hang up your jackets, ready for your next adventure. In no time you’ll be relaxing in front of an open fire after a long soak in a hot bath. You may choose to eat an intimate meal for two at the cosy dining table, cooked in the modern kitchen with everything you need for a self-catered stay, including an electric fan oven and gas hob, a dishwasher and a washer/dryer. Or you can order in from one of the many local takeaways, or eat at one of Dorchester’s more than two dozen restaurants, serving food from around the globe. If you’re ready for a quiet evening in, you’ll find this 220 year old cottage is right up to date with technology. You can use the Smart TV to catch up on your favourite shows or watch music videos. If you prefer, just ask the Smart speaker to dim the lamp and play some relaxing music, lean back in the comfortable armchair or rocker, and dip into one of the books on the shelf, including a selection by Dorchester’s own Thomas Hardy, who featured the town in his books under the name of Casterbridge. If you want a more sociable activity, choose one of a selection of traditional board games you’ll find in the cupboard. Next morning, refreshed from a night in the spacious double bedroom, with ample storage to keep your holiday clothes neat and tidy, enjoy a steaming cup of coffee brewed in either a cafetière, or a stove-top italian coffee maker. It’s your choice whether to have a quick bite at the breakfast bar, or a lingering brunch in the courtyard, where on fine days you can bask in the mid-morning sun. When it’s time to head back out you have a range of transport options. Dorchester has two railway stations, and also connects with the Jurassic Coaster bus service, ideal for people who want to walk a section of the South West Coast Path. Keen cyclists will find National Cycle Network Route 26 and the Frome Valley Cycle trail within half a mile of Bell Cottage, as well as many quiet country lanes. Bicycles can be kept in the back yard overnight. And if you want to travel further afield by car, Dorchester’s location on the junction of the A35 and A37 gives you quick access to the coast at Weymouth, West Bay and Lyme Regis, as well as the world famous Chesil Beach. The seaside town of Weymouth is worth a visit, home to a Blue Flag beach for a cooling dip, SEA LIFE to marvel at marine life and the exciting Escape Dungeons. If thrilling cliffs and stunning coves are more to your taste, the picture-postcard views of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are just 13 miles away, and you can even pick up a special doggie ice-cream in Lulworth, while you enjoy your own cone by the shore. For visitors with limited time, there’s lots to see without even leaving Dorchester. The Dinosaur Museum is just a few paces up the road, the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is around the corner and you can immerse yourself in the past at the Dorset Museum or explore the Roman Town House without walking more than a mile. No visit to Dorchester is complete without a visit to Max Gate, the home of Thomas Hardy - or just walk across the water meadows to Stinsford Churchyard where his heart is buried. For canine guests, the green space of Salisbury Fields is just two minutes walk away and a popular place for a game of ball. Duck watching on the River Frome is an enjoyable pastime, and Puddletown Forest and Maiden Castle - the largest Iron Age hill fort in Europe - both offer excellent dog-walking options. If your dog just can’t help getting muddy, no need to worry, all the visitors at Bell Cottage are provided for, and there is a hot and cold dog-shower and artificial turf patch in the courtyard. For all this and more, Bell Cottage is waiting to provide you with a warm welcome.

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