Cottage Orne

Cottage Orné is within the estate of Belmont House which is between the villages of Long Bredy and Little Bredy in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are plenty of good walks around the area – especially if you like the challenge of hills – including on the Macmillan Way which passes close by. Closer to the coast is the South Dorset Ridgeway and on the coastline is the South West Coast Path. The nearest beaches are about six miles away. A popular one to head for is Hive Beach, just off the village of Burton Bradstock (six miles) where sand is backed by cliffs and you can find fossils. A little further along the coast, with more facilities, is West Bay (10 miles). Charmouth and Lyme Regis are both within 20 miles. In the other direction, Weymouth, is only 12 miles away. For something other than a day on the beach, head for the Subtropical Gardens or the Swannery at Abbotsbury (seven miles), the market town of Bridport or the country town of Dorchester (both eight miles). Just beyond Dorchester, you can visit Thomas Hardy’s Cottage, thanks to the National Trust who maintain it as it was in the 1800s. Families with little kids might like to visit Vurlands Farm for more farm animals and indoor and outdoor play areas. It's five miles from site.

The closest place for a meal out whilst staying at Cottage Orné is The White Horse Inn in Litton Cheney (two miles away). And somewhere recommended by your host, Evie, is The Parlour, a lovely restaurant on Bredy Farm (five miles) which serves good Italian food, including pizzas, at lunchtimes and in the evenings. If you’re down at Burton Bradstock’s beach for the day, try The Hive Beach Cafe (six miles) for fish and seafood dishes. The village is also home to the closest shop for picking up supplies if you want to cook on site, as is Abbotsbury where there’s a farm shop with local produce. For more than that head to Bridport or Dorchester (both eight miles) which both have plenty of independent shops and larger grocery stores. Bridport has a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Dorchester had a market on Wednesdays.