Built around 1670, in warm, honey coloured local stone, the Cottage is idyllically situated on a quiet footpath leading down to the famous Swannery and Chesil Beach. It has magnificent views of St Catherine's Chapel, the Old Tithe Barn and pond, St Nicholas Church and a panorama of the village of Abbotsbury. The Barn has recently been converted into a "Smugglers Barn".

The village can be reached in a few minutes walk and has a post office, general stores, butcher, two public houses, tearooms, pottery, craft shops, glass engravers and woodworking shop. It is well known for the Sub Tropical Gardens. There are buses to Weymouth, Bridport and Dorchester (all within a 9 mile radius) but the service is infrequent and a car is advisable. Abbotsbury is a beautiful, unspoilt village, formally a Benedictine Monastery, dating back to the time of Edward the Confessor. It lies within the coastal hills of South Dorset and both the village and countryside around are rich in geological and historical interest. The coast line has earned World Heritage status.

Earthworks and tumuli abound. Maiden Castle, Eggardon Hill Fort and Maumbury Rings are just a short car journey away. A little further afield lie Glastonbury, Stonehenge, Avebury, and the famous Cerne Abbas Giant - a turf cut figure probably of Romano-British origin. The cliffs flanking West Bay are formed from oolite sands, and are exceptionally rich in fossils.

For those with literary interests one can visit the birth place of Thomas Hardy, the poet and novelist at Higher Bockhampton and "Clouds Hill" the home of T.E. Lawrence, better known as "Lawrence of Arabia". Architecturally, Athelhampton House represents one of the finest medieval houses in England. Salisbury Cathedral, Sherbourne Abbey and Winchester Cathedral are again, just a short car journey away. Weymouth, with its safe, sandy beaches is ideal for swimming, sailing and wind surfing and one can head in almost any direction for varied and beautiful walks. 

In short, the cottage is ideally suited for a wonderful holiday, whether you wish to rest and unwind or use it as a base to explore further afield. We look forward to meeting you and will be at hand to help in any way we can.

Val and Brian are very aware how precious free time is in this day and age. With that in mind, they aim to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Considerable thought and care has gone into making the cottage a relaxing place to be. In fact, many guests return again and again, saying it feels like a second home. Should you want to unwind further or have a specific need, Val offers Reiki treatments.