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West Cottage

Dorchester, Dorset
Self-catering
+44 (0)7802 804409

From
£160 - £200
per night

From
£950 - £1470
per week

Cosy cottage with a river running through wild gardens and a pool; walk to good pubs, drive to the Jurassic coast in half an hour

3 beds

2 bedrooms

Sleeps 4

Children welcome

Babies welcome

The Experience

This quirky cottage is in the heart of the village of Piddletrenthide but it’s set back from the lane and surrounded by three acres of deliciously wild gardens with hidden nooks and crannies, a paddock, and the River Piddle drifting through.

Lucy lives in the adjoining house but you’re nice and private, with an al fresco dining area and barbecue – you can use the outdoor swimming pool in summer too. Find fresh bread, good coffee, milk and flowers as a welcome, and a bundle of games, books, comfy sofas and a wood-burner to keep things cosy.

Bridleways can be joined directly from the house and it’s a pleasant walk or easy drive to Cerne Abbas. Visit Thomas Hardy’s home town of Dorchester – which inspired many of his books – in ten minutes, or to the coast in half an hour.

We think you'll love

The superb walking from the house
There’s a great choice of pubs nearby
It's a great place to stay in summer and winter

You should know

You'll share the pool with Lucy and her family. The pool is open in the summer only
The (shallow) River Piddle runs along the bottom of the garden
Babies are more than welcome but you should bring with you all the necessary kit!

Essentials

EV charger
Self check-in
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Oven
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Barbecue
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
Microwave oven
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Electricity included
Dishwasher
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Nightly price: from £160
Weekly price: from £950
Surcharges: Futon available.

1 Cottage for 4: From £1603 beds2 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in: Flexible
Check out: Flexible
Other details: Minimum stay: 4 nights. 6 nights in high season.
Closed: Occasionally.
No smoking: Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets: Animals living on the property

Reviews

We really enjoyed our stay in this well-equipped and characterful cottage. The children loved the tyre swing and visiting the resident chickens and we had everything we needed for the week. The woodburner was particularly welcome this windy February. The location was excellent - close to walks, pubs and the local shop for essentials, plus Dorchester just a short drive for supermarkets etc. It was an easy drive to Weymouth with its sandy beach and Lyme Regis and Charmouth for fossil-hunting. We found Lucy, the owner, very welcoming and we would stay again.

Mary, London Feb 2022

West Cottage at piddletrenthide owned by Lucy was the perfect location for our short stay. The cottage was very cosy and had everything we needed. Lucy could not have been more helpful and welcoming. The supplies on arrive were very welcome. Will be booking this one again! Thank you!

Andy, Dorchester Dec 2020

We had a wonderful stay at West Cottage. It is glorious place with lots of attention to detail and fantastic facilities. The pool was wonderful for our children and the grounds are beautiful. our host was friendly and informative and we felt very welcomed. We will definitely stay again.

Heather, London Jul 2020

Great times relaxing in this very quaint cottage. What a fantastic location? Amazing walks outside your door step or from some of the great local pubs in Plush and Cerne Abbas. Within 30 minutes you could be at the coast and exploring Lulworth Cove. From the coast you can do a wide range of walks along the coast and you can also go sea kayaking and explore the different caves and beaches. The owner Lucy is extremely hospitable and provided us with great advice on local walks and cycling routes. She has a wonderful property where you can even play tennis and go for a swim in her pool.

Nicole, Montreal Aug 2019

This is the most delicious cottage to snuggle down in - winter or summer. Recently renovated - a happy mix of contemporary and vintage pieces it oozes comfort. Young or old will adore it. Marvel at the great trees in Lucy's garden - the giant Beeches and even an ancient Elm tree. Play pooh sticks in the River Piddle! Perfect for a weekend break in the heart of the country with shop and pubs within walking distance.

Angie, Sawday's inspector Dec 2018

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Location

The neighbourhood

There is a shop and post office in Cerne Abbas, 2 of which serve good food, or you can walk to The Thimble in Piddlehinton in about an hour. Walks up to the nearby Wessex Ridgeway have magnificent valley views and woodlands full of bluebells in the spring. Bridport’s Saturday market and quirky and arty shops are a 25-minute drive and the coast is not far – local favourite Ringstead is about half an hour’s drive and West Bay is 45 minutes.

Local points of interest from Lucy Stoddart

West Cottage is set on the edge of a lovely village in the Piddle Valley. The garden is a work in progress with wild spots, the River Piddle, a hidden swimming pool, horse paddocks, tennis court and swings and play areas.
The setting is excellent for walking, with footpaths leading from the gate. You can walk for miles on the Wessex ridgeway, or along the valley route and further a field. Great for running, riding, and mountain biking too.
Walking distance from six pubs, two are less than 2 miles walk, two really excellent dining pubs are only a few miles away and a further two good dining pubs are a good walk or quick drive away. Further good dining is not far away in Dorchester.
Striking distance from the Jurassic Coast. Visit the Purbecks and Corfe Castle, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Abbotsbury, West Bay or Golden Cap or the ever popular beaches of Weymouth and Studland.
15 mins drive from the historic towns of Sherborne and Dorchester. 30mins from Bridport, Poole and Weymouth and 45mins to Lyme Regis, Glastonbury, Bruton and Bournmouth.
Wonderful houses and gardens and sites to visit such as Minterne, Athlehampton, The Cerne Abbas Giant, Hardy's Cottage, and all the museums of Dorchester and plenty of old Iron age forts.

Introducing

Lucy Stoddart

Lucy, extremely relaxed and informal, lives on the property with her daughter, horse, pony and a friendly cat by the name of Blossom. She used to run an events management business in London, then lived on a farm in a village nearby. She bought the cottage – which was three separate properties in the 18th century – when it was in an extremely unloved state and restored everything herself.

West Cottage

Children welcome

Babies welcome

Your dates are available!

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Lucy Stoddart

West Cottage

Children welcome

Babies welcome

Check availability

Your dates are available!

How to book

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Lucy Stoddart