Large Cottages in Dorset for Group Holidays

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Dr Holt - Verified booking

  Raleighs is a very comfortable and warm house with many interesting features, not least it's age and origin. The bed was very comfortable, the shower was good if a little tricky to use with my broken arm, the kitchen well stocked and the lovely welcome gifts very much appreciated. The secure back courtyard was great for peace of mind with the whippets but the weather took a turn for the colder so we didn't manage to sit out with a drink and food, which is a shame. Parking was easy on Long Street if you don't fancy backing into the narrow drive. The further we ended up was less than 20 seconds walk away when parking. Very hand. This was in September so not fully peak time but CA seems to be visited by a fairy constant but not overwhelming stream of interesting visitors for the local attractions. Cerne Abbass is an interesting village, for obvious reasons, and the shops and pubs were all very friendly, useful and accommodating. We found a good place to let the dogs off for a run at the back of the church cemetery with paths round to the Giant and also for a circuit around the giant Hill. Stunning countryside views all around make this a real pleasure. The story of the Well is interesting and worth looking around what's left of the Abbey if the owners have left the open sign up. The village store is a great place to shop with lots of lovely treats, practical provisions including the extremely local unhomogneised, free range whole milk from a mile or so down the road, delivered by a handy machine into your own bottle (or you can buy one with the Giant on which is an entertaining souvenir). Also the pasties were delicious and people there were friendly and helpful. The Giant seems to be the locals pub, and very friendly, so a good place to go for a beer or two. We didn't have food there but it looked good, tasty, and seemed to be well appreciated. The Royal Oak is a classic, old pub; pleasantly unspoilt, with lots of character but perhaps needing a good clean and more careful management of the pipes and the drinks that they are supplying, but that didn't stop us from eating a very hearty game pie and vegan shepherds pie (yes catering for all tastes), with good, non-fussy cooked vegetables. The New Inn was very comfortable both in the beer garden in the sun, when warm, and also in the evening inside when cooler. Very friendly staff and very popular for groups staying in CA. A bit more upmarket for food and surroundings but none the worse for it in terms of the welcome and atmosphere. Book ahead for food though; we didn't, and ended up missing out on a meal there. The Greyhound at Sydling was great for lunch on a gradually wording weather day, on the way back from a walk round the amazing Maiden Castle. Weighmouth was characterful and interesting and that includes the weather. Studland was gorgeous as ever, even on a colder day and the Bankes Arms fish and chips were welcome. Beaminster, the cafe at the fancy gift shop was lovely for sandwiches and coffee in the sunny back court yard. Also the The Greyhound food was homemade, hearty and filling on a wet day. ALL of the above mentioned, it goes without saying, we're very welcoming of our two whippets. All in all a great week in a lovely old house in and interesting village in Dorset with some interesting weather to contend with and our two whippets with us.

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• Clare - Verified booking

  We stayed as a family of 5 at the old stables for 7 nights.

  When we arrived, we were impressed with how clean the property was and the facilities. My children loved the games room and that was a real bonus on the rainy days we had. The property was well kitted out with all the equipment you could need. Plenty of crockery, glasses and cooking utensils. I was especially impressed there was hand wash in every bathroom and the kitchen. There was rinse aid, dishwasher tablets and washing powder and softener for the duration of our stay. It was a lovely touch to have some biscuits and milk left for us after a long journey. We also arrived to fully stocked teabags and sugar. The location of the old stables is perfect and close to all amenities. The crown pub down the road is excellent. If I would recommend anything is improved, I would say the mattresses. They are so hard and don’t offer much support to your back and hips and even my children thought they were hard. Whilst I recognise the importance of durability, I think this is the only minor negative of the accommodation. We will definitely be back and I wouldn’t let the hard mattress put me off.

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• Mr Bosbach - Verified booking

  Raleigh's is a charming 16th century half-timbered house with a very tasteful interior with lots of old furniture and decorative items. The kitchen and lounge are very spacious, as are the bedrooms. The kitchen is well equipped with lots of cooking utensils, crockery and glasses. There is a modern hob next to the Aga. The kitchen opens onto the small courtyard, which is beautifully planted and sheltered from view. You can feel that Raleigh's is also used by the owners themselves, many photographs show the family's life. The hot water supply works very well, although a hand shower would be desirable in one of the two bathrooms. Raleigh's is located in a picture-perfect village of Cerne Abbas with three pubs, a church and an excellent village shop, which is small but has pretty much everything, including many local products. We would highly recommend the house to all holidaymakers who appreciate a combination of old-fashioned charm and modern amenities.

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• Susan - Verified booking

  We had an absolutely wonderful stay for two nights at The Old Stables.

  The accommodation was just perfect for what we needed and it provided easy access to some great countryside sights and the coast. Everything we could have possibly needed was provided - I've never seen so many cups, glasses etc ... and loved the biscuits :) The only downside was when we first arrived, I walked along the corridor to the end bedroom and hadn't switched the light on. I didn't notice the step, went flying and hit the floor on my knees. I didn't notice anything about the step on the accommodation details (of course I may have missed it), so it would be worth making it a bit clearer if possible as if my elderly mother-in-law had walked down there first, the situation could have been a lot worse. It didn't spoil our break at all - just tender knees for a few days ;) - and we will definitely be coming back. Thank you very much and wishing you all a wonderful Christmas in the meantime. Sue

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• Mr Smith - Verified booking

  We enjoyed our stay at Raleighs very much. The village is very special with lots of history. The weather during our stay was mostly wet and cold. The very modern log fire was put to good use and enjoyed by us all. Raleighs is fully equipped and comfortable. The terrace garden is well equipped with furniture and lovely plants. We found that the shower didn’t soak away quickly but was easy to use. All equipment linen and towels was top quality. We enjoyed our stay at Raleighs very much. The village is very special with lots of history. The weather during our stay was mostly wet and cold. The very modern log fire was put to good use and enjoyed by us all. Raleighs is fully equipped and comfortable. The terrace garden is well equipped with furniture and lovely plants. We found that the shower didn’t soak away quickly but was easy to use. All equipment linen and towels was top quality.

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