Four Bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite with bath & shower over, wash basin and WC, 1 x king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, wash basin and WC, 1 x twin with en-suite shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x twin (access through other twin room). Cloakroom with basin and WC. Kitchen. Dining room with woodburning stove. Sitting room with open fire. Conservatory
Gould’s Farmhouse in Milborne St Andrew, Dorset consists of a kitchen with an Aga, electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, and dishwasher. There is a dining room with woodburning stove, a sitting room with open fire, a conservatory, and a ground-floor cloakroom with basin and WC. The bedrooms comprise two king-size rooms, each with en-suite facilities, one with a bath and shower and one with a walk-in shower, along with two twin bedrooms, one of which includes a cot and provides access to the second twin. There is also a separate shower room with walk-in shower, basin, and WC. Outside, there is a mature non-enclosed garden with lawn, picnic table, barbecue, and sun loungers, along with off-road parking. The property has central heating, WiFi, and a lift. Fuel and power are included in the rent, as well as bed linen and towels. Sorry, no smoking. Two well-behaved pets welcome. Gould’s Farmhouse in Milborne St Andrew is a characterful Dorset retreat offering space, accessibility, and a strong connection to its countryside surroundings. Good Housekeeping Bond 400 GBP. No stag and hen parties. Please note: This property only accepts 5 night minimum
Please Note: Good Housekeeping Bond 400 GBP
No stag and hen parties
Please note: This property only accepts 5 night minimum
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.
