Sweet Pea Cottage

In Higher Bockhampton, opposite Thomas Hardy’s Cottage and surrounded by Thorncombe Woods, lies a private estate of holiday cottages with shared gardens and a wealth of family-friendly facilities. Among them, Sweet Pea Cottage is a 4-Star VisitEngland-rated cottage that sleeps four and welcomes dogs, making it a comfortable and practical choice for couples, families or friends looking to explore Dorset’s countryside and coast.

The ground floor has been designed with a contemporary style, with tiled floors, modern furniture and artwork creating a fresh and individual character. The kitchen is well equipped for self-catering, with a breakfast bar, large fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer, while the adjoining sitting room offers plenty of seating around the smart TV and a dining table for four. French doors lead directly outside, making the space bright and airy.

Upstairs, two bedrooms provide flexible accommodation. The double room includes a smart TV, while the second bedroom has zip-link beds that can be arranged as a superking or left as twins, with space for a cot if needed. The family bathroom, with shower over bath, completes the layout.

Sweet Pea Cottage has direct access to an enclosed outdoor area, and although the lawned gardens beyond are shared with non-pet properties, guests with dogs are welcome provided pets are kept on leads. The shared gardens also include terraced seating and two hot tubs, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

As a guest at Sweet Pea Cottage, you’ll have access to the full range of facilities across the estate. There are two tennis courts, a badminton and croquet lawn, and a boule pitch, while the games room provides entertainment indoors with pool, table tennis and table football. Younger children will find hours of fun in the wooden playhouse, willow den and the playroom filled with toys, while families can gather fresh vegetables from the kitchen garden or collect eggs from the hens in the morning. Dogs are well catered for, with a fully enclosed paddock on site and direct access to woodland trails, making it easy to stretch your legs before setting out further afield.

The estate sits in the quiet hamlet of Higher Bockhampton, a place deeply connected to Thomas Hardy’s life and writing. From the doorstep, footpaths lead into Thorncombe Woods and Puddletown Forest, where you can follow ancient tracks, wander Roman roads and cross open heathland alive with birds, deer and ponies. It’s a landscape that lends itself as much to short evening strolls as it does to full-day walks.

Just three miles away, Dorchester offers the convenience of a market town, with independent shops, weekly markets, cafés and a choice of museums. Further afield, the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast provides endless days out: Weymouth’s sandy beach is ideal for families, while the cliffs at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove make for dramatic coastal walks. Fossil hunters will enjoy Charmouth and Lyme Regis, and quieter moments can be found at Ringstead Bay or Chesil Beach. The surrounding villages also offer some excellent pubs, such as The Wise Man in West Stafford and The Blue Vinny in Puddletown, both known for their warm welcome and hearty menus.

With its modern style, flexible layout and direct access to the shared gardens and hot tubs, Sweet Pea Cottage offers a practical and comfortable base for families, friends and dogs to enjoy Dorset’s countryside and coast, while making the most of the estate’s welcoming facilities.