Known for rolling green hills and bucolic setting, Dorset is an attractive, rural county in southwest England. It is also famous for its Jurassic coast – a much-visited World Heritage Site with fossils and rocks dating back to the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.
Whether you’re looking to stay in a serviced apartment in Dorset near the coast or a pretty dog- friendly cottage in the countryside surrounded by green fields, we’re certain that you will love your self-catering accommodation in Dorset. All Situ’s short-stay accommodation in Dorset is of the highest standard and comes furnished with all modern conveniences. Whether a one-bedroom flat or a four-bedroom townhouse, all have wi-fi, a smart TV, a fully-functioning kitchen and plenty of living space. There is also easy on-site parking in most of our properties.
Of course, you can also select pet-friendly accommodation in Dorset and take advantage of all the beautiful countryside walks and dog-friendly beaches the area has to offer.
Bordered by Devon to the west and Hampshire to the east, Dorset nestles between Somerset and Wiltshire. It’s 120 miles and a drive of just under 2.5 miles from London via the M3. Southampton is 49 miles from Dorset and a journey time of just under an hour. The nearest city is Bournemouth, at 25 miles and a drive of 35 minutes.
Dorset is the country’s leading area for high-growth digital companies and the second fastest-growing area for start-ups. Big names in the area include BAE Systems, Siemens, Hitachi, JP Morgan, Lush, New Look, Sunseeker International, and Cobham Aviation Services. Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership secured sizeable investment in recent years. Research, medical innovation, and clinical practice in local NHS institutions will all benefit, as will the Port of Poole. The county’s comfortable standard of living attracts highly skilled workers, many of whom come from the area’s three universities – Bournemouth University, Arts University College Bournemouth, and AECC University College.
A county popular for its beautiful beaches and mild weather, there are plenty of places to explore in Dorset. The historic market town of Dorchester, sitting prettily on the banks of the river Frome, is the county seat.
Go for a wander amongst its eighteenth-century houses and take a ten-minute drive to Thomas Hardy’s cob and thatch cottage. It’s here that the author penned his classic Far from the Madding Crowd. Sherborne, in northwest Dorset, also boasts several historic gems. At Sherborne Castle and Gardens, you’ll find a variety of different decorative styles dating back more than 400 years.
Sturminster Newton, just twelve miles from Sherborne, is home to a six-arched fifteenth-century medieval bridge and a still-working wooden seventeenth-century water mill. Shaftesbury is home to Gold Hill – regarded as one of the most attractive streets in England. Walk along its quaint streets, admire its historic cottages and the stunning view of Blackmore Vale. Lyme Regis, Bridport, Swanage, and Poole are other popular coastal town destinations, offering white sandy beaches, historic fishing harbours, and an array of quirky independent shops, art galleries, cafés, and restaurants.
Luxury self-catering accommodation in Dorset is also an option, allowing you to live and work in a lovely home-from-home environment, choosing when to cook for yourself and when to try the region’s fine array of restaurants.
Finding a holiday home to rent in Dorset doesn’t mean you’re cut off from modern amenities – Ferndown and Verwood are two lesser-known towns that offer contemporary city comforts, such as shopping centres and leisure facilities. Bournemouth is a cultural hub, with an arts university and various literature, dance, and music venues. Wherever you are heading in the county, do browse Situ’s carefully selected range of serviced accommodation in Dorset. Contact one of our friendly team today to help you find your perfect stay.
At Bournemouth airport you’ll find plenty of international flights. Southampton airport also offers international flights and is around two hours by car from West Dorset. Bristol airport is accessible via the A37 or M5 and takes around two hours to reach by road from southwest Dorset.
London is nearly four hours away from northwest Dorset, while Gatwick and Luton are a three-and-a-half-hour drive away. Heathrow is reachable in just under three hours by car.
With twenty-three stations on the national network and five more on the Swanage Railway line, Dorset has a robust railway system facilitating travel within and out of the county.
Dorset is connected to northern England through two direct routes from London Waterloo and services to Bristol and Bath and is equally connected to the northwest with routes to Plymouth and Exeter.
As well as local inner-city routes, there are several lines which run cross-county. First Bus’s Route 6 runs from Yeovil (just north of the Dorset-Somerset boundary) down to Bridport (just 1.5 miles inland from the English Channel). Route 10 runs from Dorchester to Weymouth, and various further bus lines connect Poole to Southbourne, Wimborne, and Bournemouth.
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