Find a special place to stay in Dorset

Dorset is the kind of place that makes you want to pack up your city life, buy a dog, and develop a sudden interest in artisanal breadmaking. Here are six of the best towns and villages to visit in Dorset, plus our recommendations on places to stay for a perfect getaway.

Read more >

Hidden away in glorious countryside, or tucked in pretty villages and hamlets, we’ve picked a few of the cosiest places to spend a quiet and contemplative couple of days.

Read more >

We’ve rounded up five big, generous houses for groups who want to gather together for convivial meals or games, but also have the space to fan out for quiet reading and napping.

Read more >

Why should you book with Sawday’s? 

Dorset is full of unique stays that reflect its history and landscapes, and we’ve chosen the best of them. At Sawday’s, we seek special stays with genuine character, whether that’s a secluded coastal cottage with its own private beach, or friendly hosts who know the best hidden spots for a morning swim or an evening pint. Our collection guarantees authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences, giving you a true taste of Dorset’s warm hospitality. 

What is the most picturesque village in Dorset? 

Dorset is home to some of England’s most perfectly preserved villages. Corfe Castle is one of the most striking, its stone cottages clustered beneath the ruins of a Norman stronghold that was once besieged during the English Civil War. Milton Abbas has a single street of identical thatched cottages, built in the 18th century when the local lord moved an entire village to improve his view. For something by the coast, Abbotsbury is a beauty, with honey-coloured cottages and a medieval tithe barn. 

What is the best beach in Dorset? 

Dorset’s beaches range from craggy smugglers’ hideouts to expanses of golden sand. Studland Bay has some of the best, with shallow turquoise waters, dunes and heathland stretching behind. For sheer drama, Lulworth Cove is breathtaking. A perfect horseshoe of limestone, its waters turn deep emerald at high tide. If you’re up for a walk, the Golden Cap headland rises above Charmouth Beach, which is one of the best places in the country for fossil hunting.  

Which is nicer, Devon or Dorset? 

Both counties have their own distinct personality. Devon is defined by its rolling moors, thatched villages and wild, empty beaches, while Dorset is more rugged and historic, with its prehistoric coastline and stone-built villages. Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rock arches have stood for millions of years. Devon, in contrast, offers the vast beauty of Dartmoor and Exmoor, alongside picture-perfect coastal towns like Salcombe and Clovelly. Both offer spectacular landscapes and a character entirely its own.