Five bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x king-size, 1 x double, 1 x twin. Adjoining ground-floor suite with 1 x 3′ twin bedroom with zip/link beds (can be set up as super king on request) and en-suite walk-in shower, basin, and WC. Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, basin and WC. Kitchen/diner with woodburning stove. Sitting room with woodburning stove. Garden room. Utility room/boot room. Cloakroom . Separate kitchen with breakfast bar and sitting room
Harbins Farm offers an open‑plan kitchen and dining space with seating for large groups, woodburning stove, electric Rangemaster cooker, electric oven and hob, American‑style fridge/freezer, additional fridge with ice‑box, two dishwashers and a breakfast island. There is a separate sitting room with woodburning stove, along with a garden room with doors opening onto the gardens. Additional ground‑floor facilities include a utility/boot room with two washing machines and tumble dryer, and a cloakroom. Underfloor heating runs throughout.
The bedrooms consist of a first‑floor king‑size bedroom with en‑suite walk‑in shower, basin and WC, a further king‑size bedroom, a double bedroom and a twin bedroom, served by an elegant and spacious family bathroom with bath, walk‑in shower, basin and WC. There is also an adjoining ground‑floor suite comprising a twin bedroom with zip‑and‑link beds (can be configured as a king‑size on request) with en‑suite shower room, a separate sitting room, and a kitchenette with breakfast bar and doors opening onto the garden.
Outside, there are south‑facing mature gardens with lawns, planting, countryside views and a small brook running through the grounds, along with outdoor furniture and an external shower suitable for muddy boots and paws. Off‑road parking is available for up to five cars. Shop 3.2 miles, pub 2.5 miles.
WiFi, fuel, power, bed linen and towels are all included. Smart TV provided. Pet friendly – up to three well‑behaved dogs welcome; in line with the Countryside Code, dogs must be kept under close control on local footpaths and bridleways due to livestock. Sorry, no smoking. Stabling for horses available by prior arrangement before booking. Please note: There is a pretty stream in the garden, please ensure children are supervised. Please note: The ground floor twin can be made in to a super king on request, please advise at least 7 days in advance of your arrival. Please note: This property has a Good Housekeeping Bond of 550 GBP
Please note: There is a pretty stream in the garden, please ensure children are supervised
Please note: The ground floor twin can be made in to a super king on request, please advise at least 7 days in advance of your arrival
Please note: There is a Good Housekeeping Bond on this property of 550 GBP
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.
