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Surrounded by undulating countryside in the heart of rural West Dorset is the small town of Beaminster. A delightful location with some historic buildings and a generous collection of specialist shops, pubs and restaurants, Beaminster is a great place for a self-catering break. Just a short drive away from the Jurassic coast and Lyme Regis, Beaminister sits amidst scores of picturesque villages with lots of interesting attractions close by. Whether you opt for a cottage within Beaminster itself or a rural retreat nearby, there is some stunning countryside and fantastic attractions to discover in this part of the West Country.
What’s more, with a cottage holiday in Beaminster, you could be rubbing shoulders with the famous as you wander through its streets. The town is the adopted home of TV actor and presenter Martin Clunes and TV chef Mat Follas. Mat was the winner of Masterchef in 2009 and now runs a restaurant in the town called the Wild Garlic.
If you would like a taste of the high life you may also want to visit Mapperton House in Beaminster. This house was voted by ‘Country Life’ as the nation’s finest manor house, while in 2012 its gardens were placed second in the Most Beautiful Garden category of the BBC Countryfile magazine awards. This award winning house and gardens have been in the hands of just seven families since its mention in the Doomsday book. Since 1955, Mapperton has been in the ownership of the Montagu family. Their family history is recorded in some fine portraits and works of art that adorn the walls of the magnificent house. The beautiful gardens can be visited from March to October whereas the house is open for visits in the summer months.
With a self-catering stay in this part of Dorset not only are there some wonderful country landscapes to discover but also a wonderful coastline. A few miles south of Beaminster is the town of Bridport and the beaches of West Bay. West Bay was once Bridport Harbour and served the town in the days when it was a fishing port and rope making centre. A small harbour and a marina now remain along with a west beach and an east beach.
Further west is Seatown beach and the popular town and resort of Lyme Regis. Like West Bay and Seatown, Lyme Regis is a magnet for fossil hunters, the town holds an annual fossil festival during May. At the heart of the seaside there is a sandy beach and the historic Cobb. The Cobb has provided a haven for seafarers for centuries and buildings that were once thriving trading places in the 18th century nowadays have other uses such as housing an aquarium. You can also see an interesting history exhibition of the Cobb whilst on a self-catering break along with the international literature and films that helped to make it famous. It was here that Meryl Streep stood looking out to sea in that memorable scene from ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’.
If you’re looking to discover part of the West Country which offers unique attractions such as the Jurassic coastline as well as some inspirational countryside then a stay in this area of Dorset could be just right for you. Choose from log cabins, pet-friendly cottages, rural retreats and romantic retreats for a self-catering stay to remember.
About Beaminster for Cottage Holidays
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Beaminster, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in Dorset.
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