A Guide to Buying a Holiday Home in Dorset

Durdle Door, image courtesy of Pajor Pawel/Shutterstock

Holiday homes

Often overlooked by people heading further south into Devon and Cornwall, Dorset has plenty to offer if you are thinking of buying a holiday home there.

For anyone with a Dorset holiday home there are a variety of stunning landscapes, from the sweeping beaches and rugged cliffs of the world-famous Jurassic Coast, to the rolling countryside and picturesque chocolate-box villages inland.

Claire Tupholme Content Editor: Travel/Campsites

As well as being the Content Editor for Travel and Campsites, Claire also looks after Premier Parks, which means she has seen her fair share of campsites and knows her way around Great Britain. Claire now loves to share her wealth of travel knowledge with other intrepid explorers.

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Why buy a holiday home in Dorset?

Some of Dorset’s many big draw destinations include coastal Weymouth with its Georgian townhouses, and nature-rich Brownsea Island which can only be reached by boat from Poole Harbour and is home to a red squirrel population. You can also marvel at the extravagant mansions in Poole's pricey Sandbanks area, and head into Swanage where you can experience pure nostalgia with a steam train railway and Victorian pier.

For walkers, and dog owners who need to stretch furry legs, there are over 300 miles of marked trails, including part of the South West Coast Path, with views that will take your breath away.

Ready to discover the benefits of owning a holiday home? Our Complete Guide to Buying a Holiday Home walks you through all the key information you need before you buy.

Photo courtesy of Trawsdir caravan park

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Chesil Beach, image courtesy of Sue Halewood/Shutterstock

What to do in Dorset

A beach-lovers dream, Dorset’s Jurassic coastline is iconic. Put Dorset into a search engine and invariably an image of Durdle Door will appear. This natural limestone arch jutting out into the sea is a world-famous feature of Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic coastline and well-photographed. Created when the sea pierced through the limestone around 10,000 years ago, Durdle Door forms part of a host of coastal attractions along this stretch of the South West Coast Path, which also includes the turquoise-watered bay of Lulworth Cove.

The Jurassic Coast actually begins in Devon and stretches for 95 miles towards Dorset’s Studland Bay, where you’ll find another iconic Dorset feature, the chalk-white cliffs of Old Harry Rocks. Another option for your coastal fix is to head to the Isle of Portland, where Portland Bill Lighthouse stands proud on the cliff edge, and then walk along the shingle barrier of Chesil Beach (which is 18 miles long) with the sea one side and the unique habitat of the Fleet Lagoon on the other.

There are of course plentiful more beaches along Dorset’s coastline. And it's not just about lazy days on the sand either, as there are a host of pebbled shorelines with fossils waiting to be found. Must-visit coastal locations include Lyme Regis, Charmouth, and Golden Cap - the highest point on the south coast of England).

Brownsea Island red squirrel, image courtesy of Sujith Tom/Shutterstock

Bournemouth, image courtesy of Go My Media/Shutterstock

Must-visit places in Dorset

It’s not just the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and the county’s inviting beaches that deserve to be explored. If you're buying a holiday home in Dorset these attractions are worthy of your time, too.

Wareham - with a history going back more than 2,000 years, this riverside market town is somewhere to relax, have something to eat, or take a trip along the river.
Dorchester is a typical market town that has five excellent museums and exhibitions. The Dinosaur, Tutankhamun and Teddy Bear museums and the Terracotta Warriors and Mummies exhibitions are all within walking distance of each other. In the summertime, for al fresco dining head to Brewery Square.
Famed for the commanding castle ruins that overlook the village, Corfe Castle is a picturesque place to take a stroll. Around the village square is a small collection of shops, tea rooms, pubs and a church. You can enjoy sitting outside one of the cafés, with views of the hilltop castle, or hop on board a steam train on the Swanage Railway, heading down to the Victorian seaside resort of Swanage.
Evacuated in 1943 during World War II, the village of Tyneham has been deserted ever since and, over the years, nature has begun to reclaim the empty homes. The fact that Tyneham is now owned by the Ministry of Defence, and is only accessible at certain times, all adds to the mystery of this very unique and unusual place.
Catch the cliff railway down to the beach at Bournemouth and make the most of the seven miles of sands. As well as the traditional seaside attractions, Bournemouth’s pier has a range of high-adrenalin activities on offer, including a highline obstacle course and a zip wire.
The New Forest National Park is not located in Dorset, but lies on the western edge of Hampshire which borders east Dorset. This means it is easily accessible is you have a holiday home in Dorset. Don your walking boots, or hop on two wheels, to discover the many trails, wild heathland, native ponies and wildlife. Alternatively stroll along the cobbled streets of the pretty towns and villages. For wet weather days head to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, housing over 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring through the ages.

Corfe Castle, image courtesy of DavidYoung/Shutterstock

Portland Bill lighthouse, image courtesy of Tom Meaker/Shutterstock

Tyneham abandoned village, image courtesy of AshtonEa/Shutterstock

FAQs

How to buy a holiday home in Dorset?

While buying a holiday home can feel like a big decision, it’s also a wonderful way to invest in memorable escapes and spontaneous getaways. Our Complete Guide to Buying a Holiday Home guides you through the entire process, from early planning and choosing the ideal park to understanding important costs and insurance.
Where is best to buy a holiday home in Dorset?

Coastal escape or rural hideaway? A vibrant park with plenty of facilities or a tranquil retreat? After deciding on the perfect spot in Dorset and the type of park that suits you, explore the parks featured here, all offering a variety of holiday homes for sale.
Where to stay in Dorset

There are a host of holiday home parks to choose from in Dorset, ranging from parks by the coast to those nestled in the Dorset countryside.
If you're still unsure where you might want to make your new holiday home location in Dorset take a look at our Campsite Finder - there are plenty of holiday parks in Dorset where you can hire a holiday home in order to find your ideal location to purchase a holiday home of your own.