This fantastic property is ideal for families looking to explore this wonderful part of Dorset with so much to do close by.
All on the Ground Floor:
Open plan living space.
Living area: Sky, Sky Movies, Sky Sports, Bluray Player, Ipod Dock, CD Player
Dining area: French Doors To Front Of Property
Kitchen area: Electric Oven, Induction Hob, Microwave, Fridge/Freezer, Dishwasher, Washer Dryer
Bedroom 1: Kingsize (5ft) Bed Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 2: Single (3ft) Bed, Electric Single (3ft) Bed Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 3: Kingsize (5ft) Bed
Bathroom: Bath With Shower Over, Toilet
Gas central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and Wi-Fi included. Cot and highchair available on request. Welcome pack. Sitting-out area with garden furniture and barbecue. Hot tub for 6 (private). Private parking for 3 cars. No smoking.
This coastal property is in a stunning location with plenty of exploring to be done and ideal for water based activities. Set in a stunning location with magnificent views over Portland Bill, the Bird Observatory and the famous lighthouse, this light and spacious properties is adjacent to the owners’ home, and offers a great holiday location. With historic links to World War II, semi-detached Lloyds Cottage was the old registration centre. Many of the rooms overlook the spectacular extensive view, especially the open plan living space. There is superb scenic coastal walking, birdwatching and of course water based activities to be found on Portland or in Weymouth harbour, be it wind surfing, yachting, boating, fishing, swimming or simply sunbathing on the beach. Explore Portland with its castle, museums and sailing academy, visit Chesil Beach and the World Heritage Coast down to Lyme Regis or up to Lulworth Cove, or visit Weymouth and Dorchester with their many family attractions. Beach 2 miles. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 200 yards.
With nearly 90 miles of stunning coastline, vast areas of open heathlands, ancient woodlands, and chalk and limestone grassland, Dorset’s diverse habitats support a rich variety of birds and wildlife.
A visit to the RSPB’s Arne nature reserve situated on the banks of Poole Harbour and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a must. Mainly lowland heath, it’s home to breeding Dartford warblers, while in winter, large flocks of wading birds come to the mudflats including avocets, black-tailed godwits, and spoonbills. There’s also a herd of sika deer and seals can often be spotted along the shoreline. At the visitor centre you can hire binoculars and find out more about the wildlife you might spot.
Nearby, the lesser-known and quieter RSPB Lytchett Fields has been transformed from arable land into a wetland haven where you can see green sandpipers, wigeons, and teal. Peregrine falcons, and marsh and hen harriers can also be spotted in the skies above as they hunt for prey. You might also be lucky enough to see an osprey which have recently been reintroduced to the area.
In the heart of Poole Harbour is Brownsea Island manged by the Dorset Wildlife Trust in partnership with The National Trust where bird hides give excellent views of the wildlife on the lagoon and surrounding reedbeds. Look out for common terns, sandwich terns, and water rails, and it’s one of the few places in England where you can see find red squirrels.
With country lanes, unspoilt meadows, and winding rivers, Kingcombe Nature Reserve hidden away in the Dorset countryside is the perfect place to escape into nature. Resident woodland birds include nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers, and chiffchaffs, while dippers and kingfishers can be spotted along the water’s edge. There are bird hides, an orchard, and wildlife-friendly gardens, all set on a working farm, as well as a café serving locally sourced food.
The open farmland and copses of Durlston Country Park near Swanage are important not only for breeding birds but also migrants passing through in spring and autumn. Breeding birds include yellowhammers, linnets, and skylarks, while the exposed sea cliffs provide nesting sites for shags, fulmars, and guillemots. The park also attracts some rarities blown off course during migration, and in autumn, huge flocks of swallows and sand martins fill the air.
Portland Bill is another great place for migrating birds including dunnocks, chaffinches, and thrushes, as well as a variety of seabirds including Manx shearwaters, Arctic skuas, and kittiwakes. It has an impressive rarity list and is one of the best places to spot hoopoes in early summer. The Bird Observatory is a good place to visit too, with bird feeders, and volunteers can sometimes be seen ringing birds.
Head to Christchurch Harbour where the muddy creeks, mudflats, and marshland are home to a huge range of birdlife including wheatears, little egrets, and gulls. It’s also a another good place to look out for rarities such as golden orioles, wrynecks, and tawny pipits.
For a truly unique experience take a trip to Abbotsbury Swannery located on the stunning Jurassic coast, and the only place in the world where you can get close to a colony of nesting mute swans. During breeding season, you can watch cygnets as they hatch and don’t miss the twice-daily feeds where you’ll have the chance to hand-feed over 600 swans.
