A sweet retreat in the pretty village of Buckland Newton near Sherborne that’s perfect for families or couples who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax in cosy surroundings.
Lilac Cottage is one of four cosy cottages set within mature and extensive grounds in the Dorset countryside. Enjoy spending quality time together in front of the wood-burning stove, dining alfresco in the garden and making the most of the estate’s facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool (open between May – September) and play area. Should you wish to venture out, you are perfectly placed to discover the historic streets of Dorchester, the market town of Sherborne, the spectacular Jurassic Coast and so much more.
The property begins with a warm and inviting living room, complete with an inviting two-seater sofa, an armchair and a four-seater dining table. Wherever you choose to perch, the toasty log-burning stove and Smart TV are perfectly positioned to provide a cosy place to unwind.
Meanwhile, the kitchen features everything you will need to prepare delicious meals. You will have access to an electric oven and hob, a dishwasher, washing machine, a fridge/freezer and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Venture upstairs to the second floor where you will find two individually designed bedrooms, one of which has a double bed and one with twin beds. On this floor you will also find the main bathroom with a large shower.
Outside, you will have access to a garden with a patio, garden furniture and a BBQ, perfect for dining alfresco or enjoying a morning coffee in the sunshine. This leads on to the large communal gardens to discover at your leisure.
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.
