Frankham Farm

Head to this gorgeous former barn, set in open countryside between the towns of Yeovil and Sherborne, to indulge in a splendid, rural Dorset stay. Sleeping four guests, the two-bedroom retreat captures magnificent views, right out towards the National Trust’s Golden Cap on a clear day. Strike out on scenic walks through the countryside then return to the single-storey property to bask on the sun deck and luxuriate in your own private hot tub. One of several similar retreats on this gated Dorset site, the barn has a spacious, open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner, with a vaulted ceiling, for you to enjoy. Here you can unpack the fresh produce you have bought in town and cook up tasty homecooked meals in the kitchen. Dine together inside or out then carry a cup of fresh coffee from the machine over to lounge area where you can settle down in front of the Smart TV or a DVD. There is also a handy utility room, with a washing machine, plus a family shower room for use before and after you hop into the hot tub. There are two super-king-size bedrooms, one of which has zip-and-link beds and can also be made up as a twin room if discussed in advance. Both bedrooms have Smart TVs and en-suite shower rooms. The generous sun terrace, where the hot tub is located, is ideal for enjoying breakfast, lunch and dinner out in the fresh air. The barn has parking for two cars. Explore both Dorset and Somerset from this sumptuous holiday home. Head into Sherborne, 3.5 miles away, to wander its charming streets, peruse its shops and visit its famous abbey. Plan a day trip down to Dorset’s Jurassic Coast: try West Bay, 21.5 miles away, where you can swim, picnic on the sand and go fossil hunting.

Situated in a beautiful countryside location, you and your property will be just a stone’s throw away from an array of historic houses, panoramic viewpoints and fascinating footpaths to explore. What’s more, with a touch of luxury and fantastic facilities indoors and out (including a hot tub), you can take time to relax with your loved one and soak in the serenity of the area. Experience the ‘wow’ factor on arrival, entering the open-plan living space with modern furnishings and bold, exposed beams across the ceiling. Sprawl out over the two comfortable sofas and watch a film on the large Smart TV or snuggle up together and witness the sun setting beyond the rolling countryside through the patio doors. The kitchen area is bright and spacious with plenty of space to cook up a romantic meal for two, which can be served on the elegant dining table. Off to one side, there is a handy utility area with a washer/dryer for any clothes that have been muddied during an adventure. At bedtime, retreat to the king-size bedroom and get comfortable in the robes and slippers provided while watching a program on the Smart TV before sinking into slumber on your choice of comfy pillows. This room also benefits from a contemporary en-suite shower room with a shower and there is access to an additional shower room from the open-plan living space for convenience. Leading out of a set of patio doors is a sunny terrace, complete with garden furniture and a private hot tub to make the most of those long summer evenings. Located just 3.5 miles from the town of Yeovil, the property enjoys a peaceful location with plenty to see and do just a short distance away. In the town, you’ll find an array of shops and restaurants for a light bite or to do a little shopping. Visit one of the National Trust gardens in the area for a great family day out exploring interesting grounds and eating tasty treats in the cafes, with a choice between Tintinhull Garden (8 miles) and Montacute House (7.5 miles). For a day trip to the coast, Chesil Beach (24 miles) which stretches for 18 miles, is covered with shingles and offers a majestic walk beside the sea all year round.

A traditional detached cottage nestled in tranquil farmland in the village of Hummer near Trent. Woodburning stove. Hot tub. Yeovil 4.1 miles; Shaftesbury 20.3 miles; West Bay 24.8 miles.

A superb four-bedroom barn conversion resting in Hummer, Somerset. Pet-friendly. Hot tub. Off-road parking. Woodburning stove. Sherborne 4.6 miles; Shaftesbury 20.3 miles; West Bay 23.9 miles.

Old Post Office is a contemporary, four-bedroom home resting rurally in Glanvilles Wootton near Sherborne, Dorset. Pet-friendly. Hot tub. Rural views. Buckland Newton 2.8 miles; Cerne Abbas 5.7 miles; Sherborne 7.1 miles; Dorcesher 12.2 miles.

Treat your family or friends to a taste of the high life when you stay at this splendid, detached house on the impressive Minterne Estate. Sleeping 16 guests and offering dog-friendly accommodation, the eight-bedroom abode boasts elegant accommodation. Outside, there is a private garden with a hot tub, as well as access to 27 acres of magnificent, shared grounds, plus a tennis court and outdoor pool during the warmer months. Enter via the impressive front door and head into the kitchen/diner to make a fresh cup of coffee and decide who is going to prepare today's feast. Serve up in the grand dining room with the open fire crackling, then gather in the magnificent lounge to light another open fire, play games or watch the Smart TV. A WC and a utility room with a shower are also downstairs. Stairs from the kitchen and a spiral staircase from the hall lead to the first floor. Here, there are two king-size bedrooms and a super-king-size, which adjoins a single bedroom and has an en-suite bathroom. The single can be accessed from the landing and there is an impressive family bathroom. Another super-king-size and a single are on the second floor, together with a family bathroom, a twin room and a family bedroom with four singles. This has a Smart TV, an en-suite shower room and two extra pull-out singles making it a great dormitory for children. There is some restricted head height due to the sloping ceilings. Spill out into the garden to dine in the sunshine or bubble in the hot tub. Explore the grounds and make the most of the shared facilities. Stroll 1.5 miles into Cerne Abbas, which is famous for its great chalk giant carved into the hill. Have a day out to historic Dorchester, 9 miles away, or Sherborne where you'll find two castles and a lovely abbey. Enjoy free daily access to Minterne Gardens between 10am and 6pm.

Visitors to the historic village of Minterne Magna will be enchanted by the beautiful Minterne Gardens. Nestled in a picturesque Himalayan valley and surrounded by the rolling Dorset countryside, these gardens boast a wide variety of flowering plants. The garden is renowned for its impressive collection of rhododendrons and is particularly stunning in the spring when daffodils, bluebells, primulas, and ornamental cherries bloom. Just 2 miles away in the nearby village of Cerne Abbas, you can visit the famous hillside giant and enjoy local amenities. The county town of Dorchester, located 10 miles away, offers a bustling high street, cinemas, and museums. Additionally, the charming town of Sherborne, also within 10 miles, features two castles and a striking abbey. This property is part of the Minterne Estate and is set within a tranquil walled garden. A private entrance door gives access into this characterful semi-detached property. Once inside, you’ll find a useful boot room, ideal for leaving your kit after a day spent exploring. Just next door is a spacious lounge complete with inviting sofa and a TV so you can enjoy your favourite shows. Also on this floor is a pretty twin bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Heading upstairs, you’ll find the remaining two bedrooms, both super king-size. One room has an en-suite bathroom and the other has a shower room just opposite. Completing the accommodation is a striking open plan lounge/kitchen/diner where high ceilings really add to the sense of space. Enjoy leisurely meals around the table or light the wood burner, sit back and relax. From the ground floor lounge, doors lead out to the walled garden. Here you can enjoy your private hot tub, or perhaps light up the BBQ and dine al fresco on the patio. A connecting door gives access to the shared swimming pool and tennis court, and next to the pool you will find a fabulous festival tent for shade. You will have a daily allocated two-hour slot for sole use of the pool and tennis court.

This beautiful former chapel has been imaginatively renovated and thoughtfully converted to provide welcoming and cosy holiday accommodation for four guests. Set in a picturesque village on the northern fringes of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this stunning property makes a fantastic base for families and couples seeking a tranquil rural getaway. Beautifully furnished and decorated in warm mellow tones, this lovely cottage features a soothing hot tub, warming wood burner and original stained-glass windows. Entering this historic building you will find the appealing and relaxing open-plan lounge/diner. The lounge is perfect for relaxing in with a good book or a favourite movie, and you can enjoy a family meal in the charming dining area nestled behind the character staircase. The stylish kitchen is a pleasure to cook in and leads into the airy and light-filled conservatory. The ground floor also features a shower room. Adorned with quirky features, the cottage offers three tastefully decorated bedrooms: two ground-floor single rooms (the second accessed via the first), and a super-king-size room on the first floor, with TV, en-suite bathroom and a day bed ideal for a child under 10 years old. There’s also a cosy den, reached via steep open-tread steps from the second single bedroom, which has a day bed and PlayStation 2. The pretty garden features a sheltered hot tub, patio and outdoor furniture, perfect for sitting back and taking in the beautiful rural views. The spellbinding Jurassic Coast is just a short drive away, and this gorgeous cottage also makes a superb base for idyllic rural walks in the glorious surrounding countryside. Close to the Cerne Abbas Giant (4.5 miles), the cottage is ideal for visiting the historic market town of Dorchester (12 miles), renowned for its links with Thomas Hardy.

With wonderful views over the West Dorset countryside, this spacious rural retreat is ideal for families of keen walkers or cyclists. Sleeping four, this period property is a home from home with its generous rooms, cosy soft furnishings, sunny conservatory and large family kitchen. Spend your days exploring the surrounding countryside, historic towns and villages or stunning Jurassic Coast before returning to this picturesque property for a BBQ in the enclosed garden or a relaxing soak in the Lay-Z-Spa hot tub. Attached to the owner’s property yet with its own private entrance, this is a homely and welcoming retreat. Cook and dine in the good-sized traditional kitchen, before retiring to the spacious lounge for the evening. With inviting sofas, tasteful artwork and a warming wood burner-effect electric fire, this is a pleasant space in which to relax and unwind after a busy day on foot. Meanwhile, a sunny conservatory is a wonderfully peaceful room for reading or enjoying a cup of coffee in the mornings. Upstairs, the two bedrooms have been tastefully finished in calming pastels with spectacular elevated rural views. Step outside from the conservatory into the lovely, enclosed garden with its patio area, garden furniture and hot tub. Sitting in the rural hamlet of West Compton, this property is surrounded by unspoilt countryside - perfect for walkers, cyclists and nature lovers alike. Visit the historic town of Dorchester to stock up on supplies or enjoy a delicious meal out, or pop into the county museum to gen up on local history. Meanwhile, the Jurassic Coast is just 6 miles away, with a 95-mile stretch of vast beaches, fascinating rock structures, fossil-rich bays and pretty towns and villages just waiting to be discovered.

This traditional stone cottage forms the perfect base for large families or groups of friends seeking to explore Dorset. Situated in the small village of Uploders, approximately 100 metres from a traditional country pub, the location of this property is idyllic for those looking for a quiet rural retreat. Sleeping eight guests across four bedrooms, the house boasts plenty of space for everyone to gather together as well as a garden with a private hot tub for indulgent evenings spent stargazing. Make yourself at home in this wonderful cosy cottage which boasts a homely atmosphere with soft, comfortable furniture and spacious rooms. The open-plan lounge/kitchen/dining area has plenty of space for the entire family and combines contemporary and traditional features, creating a relaxed and welcome feel. When the temperature drops you can fire up the wood burner and curl up on the sofa to watch a movie on the Smart TV. The lounge area is split into two, providing a separate space for family members to relax. The modest kitchen has everything you need to rustle up a special meal, with a large dining table and chairs providing space for everyone to dine together. The four bedrooms are spacious and have views across the garden or village. French doors from the lounge area lead out onto a patio and tiered garden. Open a bottle of bubbly and celebrate your time together in style in the private hot tub or dine alfresco at the top of the garden which features stunning views across the local countryside. Please note, the different levels of the garden are accessed by flights of steps which may not be suitable for young children.