Wake up by the Sea: Dorset’s Best Coastal Escapes
There is an undeniable magic to staying in a beachfront cottage on the Dorset coast. With its rare coastal beauty, the Dorset coastline has been uniquely shaped by time into perfect golden beaches and honey-coloured Jurassic cliffs. This coastal scenery is therapeutic, and its shores can provide a much-needed escape from busy routines.
The beauty of Dorset’s coastal towns only deepens that sense of escape. Swanage soothes with its graceful, curving bay and Victorian charm, while Sandbanks dazzles with exclusive waterfront living.
Lulworth enchants with its perfect semi-circular cove beneath the limestone cliffs, just moments from the iconic arch of Durdle Door, while Lyme Regis combines fossil-strewn beaches, old lanes and an arty vibe. Each seaside destination offers its own atmosphere, scenery and rhythm, but wherever you decide to stay, you’ll find that its striking natural beauty stays with you long after you leave.
Swanage Bay
Swanage is a classic Dorset seaside town with a gentle, safe curving sandy bay ideal for swimming, paddle-boarding and family days by the sea. The surrounding cliffs and coastal paths offer superb wildlife spotting, while the town has a relaxed, traditional feel, with an elegant Victorian promenade, heritage steam railway, independent shops, cafés, pubs and excellent fish and chips. See Swanage cottages by the sea >
Spacious Seaside Apartment Sleeps 8 – Bedrooms 4 – No Pets
Picture you and your loved ones waking up in this spacious beachfront penthouse overlooking the tranquil waters of Swanage Bay. Panoramic sea views, multiple terraces, lift access and parking just steps from shops and restaurants ensure a relaxed, carefree coastal lifestyle just metres from the sandy beach.
Sandbanks
Sandbanks does luxury coastal living the best, boasting one of the finest beaches in the UK with the most pristine golden sands and calm shallows. Water-sports, sailing and paddle-boarding are popular on the main beach whilst Poole Harbour, with its fine dining and clubs, combines nicely with nature reserves, harbour walks and Studland ferry adventures. See Sandbanks holiday rentals >
Sandbanks Beachfront Apartment Sleeps 6 – Bedrooms 3 – No pets
This luxury beachfront penthouse in Sandbanks offers direct beach access and is just steps away from Poole Harbour. Various terraces enjoy incredible panoramic sea and harbour views while local amenities, cafés and restaurants are a sandy stroll away, as are a multitude of watersport activities thanks to its proximity to both waterways.
Sandbanks 4 Bed Beachfront House Sleeps 8 – Bedrooms 4 – Pet friendly
This idyllic beachfront cottage sits amongst the dunes of Sandbanks beach, whilst being just metres from Poole Harbour. Inside it is beautifully styled offering uninterrupted sea views, direct beach access and a log burner for cooler evenings. This cottage is ideal for pet friendly holidays in Dorset with the local beach happy to accept dogs year round.
Lyme Regis
This historic town boasts fascinating natural beauty. Its beaches are famous for fossil hunting and offer some of the best Jurassic Coast scenery. Nearby Cobb harbour is a lovely social hub surrounded by galleries, shops and restaurants with a refined yet relaxed blend of seaside tradition and arty flair. See Lyme Regis cottages by the sea >
Lyme Regis Seafront Apartment Sleeps 7 – Bedrooms 3 – No Pets
Imagine your beach life routine at this seafront apartment in Lyme Regis, perfectly positioned just moments from the sand, the harbour, restaurants, cafés and pubs. Equipped with every possible home comfort for a chilled stay, while boasting stunning sea views and an incredible rooftop terrace with panoramic views across Lyme Bay and the Jurassic coastline.
Charmouth
Charmouth is Lyme Regis’ quiet neighbour beloved for its unspoiled beach and extraordinary geological significance as one of the UK’s hot spots for fossil hunting. Its coastal paths are a wildlife feast and the village has a friendly, low-key vibe, with a few cafés, pubs and local amenities. So, if you want peace, stunning seascapes and nature… Charmouth is the place! See Charmouth cottages by the sea >
Charmouth Beach Cottage Sleeps 6 – Bedrooms 3 – No pets
For a blissful seaside experience this elegant beach cottage blends effortless character with comfort, offering sea views, a wood burner and an enclosed garden. All this, just a stroll from Charmouth’s fossil beach and amenities with Lyme Regis just two miles along the South West Coast Path.
West Lulworth
West Lulworth sits beneath imposing limestone cliffs near Lulworth Cove and the iconic Durdle Door. These beaches promise crystalline waters and the scenic coastal walks to them are seriously breathtaking and uniquely Jurassic. The village is small but charming with enough cafés, pubs and small shops to keep visitors replenished. See West Lulworth cottages by the sea >
West Lulworth Coastal Cottage Sleeps 8 – Bedrooms 4 – No pets
This spacious cottage is as close as you can get to Dorset’s prettiest beach, Lulworth Cove. Perfect for a group of eight with light-filled living spaces, cosy bedrooms and a lovely garden. Enjoy swimming, rock pooling or diving in the sheltered cove, then explore breathtaking coastal walks along the cliffs to the famous Durdle Door. Local shops, pubs and restaurants are right on your doorstep.
West Bay
West Bay boasts towering golden cliffs, a sweeping family friendly beach and a working harbour. The beach is great for swimming and nearby coastal paths promise impressive seascapes and wildlife encounters. Fresh seafood is a must in the harbour-side eateries where you’ll enjoy a chilled coastal vibe. See West Bay cottages by the sea >
West Bay Quayside Apartment Sleeps 4 – Bedroom 2 – No Pets
Swoon from this stylish seaside apartment which sits in the quayside, next to the beach. From its balcony you can admire Dorset’s golden sands and impressive cliffs. This is the perfect spot to enjoy all the water-sports, boat trips and coastal walks to complement a relaxed coastal escape.
Weymouth
For those who enjoy a vibrant beach scene, Weymouth delivers with its Georgian promenade promising classic family seaside fun. Its sandy beach is perfect for swimming, and the harbour offers boat trips out to the sea beyond. Nearby Wyke Regis offers a smaller beach called Smallmouth Bay, which is super safe for littles ones to paddle and swim about. See Weymouth cottages by the sea >
Wyke Regis Seaside Cottage Sleeps 5 – Bedrooms 3 – No pets
This welcoming cottage on Smallmouth Bay offers a more intimate beachfront experience, just minutes from Weymouth’s fun and games. Located just steps from the beach, you can enjoy sea-view dining from the balcony or spend time chilling in the enclosed garden. This cottage makes an ideal base from which to explore Dorset’s bays and beaches, including Chesil Beach and Portland.
These destinations and properties highlight just some of Dorset’s most loved coastal landmarks, yet the Jurassic Coast stretches far beyond them, revealing countless other shores that are equally captivating.
From Burton Bradstock and Studland to Seaton and lesser-known, off-the-beaten-track coastal villages, there is a setting to suit every taste, budget and time of year, with options ranging from luxury sea view homes to more affordable seaside retreats.
Choosing a rental is far more than just a place to stay, it provides the perfect base for exploring one of the UK’s most beautiful and diverse shorelines. Whether you’re guided by budget, travel style or season, you’ll find your perfect retreat from the collection of Dorset coastal cottages listed with us, many that allow well behaved pets.