Topsail Cottage is over 150 years old and thought to have been built for smugglers in exchange for a few barrels of rum. Restored and well furnished it provides comfortable accommodation near to the SW Coastal Path, Priest’s Way, Durlston Country Park and steam railway station at Herston Halt. The Vista indoor swimming pool is around the corner as are fields where you can walk with your dog.

This cottage is suitable for a family of up to six + a baby, but note the bedrooms are quite small. Two bedrooms and the bathroom are on the first floor and the third is on the ground floor. There is unrestricted parking on the road at the front in Bell Street.

The cosy lounge/dining room featuring exposed beams and stone walls has a wood burning fire, two settees, arm chair, pine table that seats six, small hi-fi with CD player, colour television, VCR and DVD player. A selection of videos, games, books and toys are provided for your enjoyment.

The fitted kitchen has a fridge/freezer, electric oven/hob, microwave oven, washing machine, dishwasher, all the usual appliances and a radio/cassette player. The bedroom on the ground floor looks onto the garden and has a 4’ bed against the wall, a vanity unit and 14” TV. Enclosed stairs lead from the lounge to the landing off which there are two bedrooms, one with a 4’6” double bed + travel cot if required and the other with full size 3’ bunk beds. The adjacent bathroom has a shower over the bath. The stairs are protected by a safety gate at the top and a door below.

All beds have duvets, pillows and mattress covers. Bed linen and towels are provided for an easy holiday leaving you more space in the car. For families with a baby there is a cot, bath, potty and highchair stored away until needed. The woodburning fire, night storage heaters and thick stone walls make this cottage suitable for any time of the year. The rent includes electricity.

The enclosed southwest facing back garden is up a short flight of steep, uneven stone steps with a gate and fence at the top. There is a small patio with a BBQ , picnic table and chairs - the rest is lawn and shrubs. At the end of the garden is a playhouse with larger toys for young children.

A good general store, newsagent, two pubs, an Indian restaurant and Fish n’ Chip shop are nearby. You can walk in the fields at the top (and bottom) of Bell Street, on the Priest’s Way to Langton or Worth Matravers and along the SW Coastal Path. Being close to open country, buses and the Steam Railway this is an ideal base for exploring the Isle of Purbeck. The beach is 15 minutes walk away and a few minutes drive takes you to Studland with its long sandy beaches and dunes.