Bluebell Cottage

• Distance to Hardy's House Max Gate - 2.7 miles
• Distance to Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens - 1.8 miles
• Distance to Supermarket (Tesco) - 4 miles
• Distance to Pub (The Sun Inn) - 3.2 miles

Sitting quietly within the courtyard of a private estate in Higher Bockhampton, Bluebell Cottage is a 4-Star VisitEngland cottage that brings together the charm of a traditional country bolthole with the ease of modern living. This ground-floor retreat is particularly well suited to a smaller family or couple looking for a Dorset escape with everything close at hand - from well-kept gardens to shared leisure facilities, all just moments from the door.

Inside, the L-shaped living space immediately feels bright and inviting thanks to its large windows, which frame the pretty courtyard beyond. The open-plan design makes it easy to spend time together—whether preparing simple meals in the well-equipped kitchen, gathering at the dining table, or curling up in the lounge. Comfortable seating is arranged around the Smart TV and contemporary electric fire, giving this area a cosy, homely feel at any time of year.

The double bedroom looks onto the courtyard and includes its own TV for relaxed evenings, while the second bedroom provides a single bed - ideal for a child or for setting up a cot if needed. The family bathroom is tiled throughout and fitted with a shower over the bath, hand basin and WC. While Bluebell Cottage doesn’t have its own private garden, the landscaped grounds just outside your door are there to be enjoyed, with communal lawns and tucked-away spots to relax. Guests also have access to the estate’s bubbling communal hot tubs, the perfect way to round off a day of exploring Dorset.

Practical, compact, yet thoughtfully designed, Bluebell Cottage is a cottage where everything is on one level, making it a convenient choice for all ages. Its courtyard location gives you a real sense of being part of the estate community, with space for children to play, dogs to explore, and friends or family to spend quality time together.

Guests staying at Bluebell Cottage have full use of the estate’s wide range of facilities. For active days, there are tennis courts, a badminton lawn, croquet, and boules. Indoors, the games room offers table tennis, table football, and bar billiards, while younger children will be kept busy in the wooden playhouse or the dedicated playroom packed with toys and books. Families particularly enjoy the kitchen garden, where you can pick your own seasonal fruit and vegetables, and collecting fresh eggs from the resident hens is always a highlight with little ones.

Dogs are especially welcome here, with a fully enclosed paddock available for safe exercise and direct access to Thorncombe Woods, making it easy to step straight into beautiful walks each morning.

2 Bedrooms: One double (TV) and one single
Main Lounge, TV, WIFI.
Kitchen:
Bathrooms: Bath with shower over.
Use of communal garden and hot tub.
Cot available for the single room.
Linen and towels included in weekly and short break bookings.
One dog welcome
Shared laundry facilties
Games room, tennis courts

Set opposite Hardy’s Cottage and on the edge of the ancient Thorncombe Woods, the estate is a haven for walkers and nature-lovers. Trails through the woods connect to Puddletown Forest, where you’ll discover wild ponies, hidden ponds, and Roman roads steeped in history. For a gentle stroll, head out directly from your cottage; for a longer day out, Dorset’s rolling countryside and dramatic coastline are within easy reach.

Just three miles away, Dorchester offers a lively mix of culture and history, from its Roman remains to literary landmarks and bustling markets. A short drive further afield brings you to the world-renowned Jurassic Coast, where sandy beaches, fossil cliffs, and iconic landmarks such as Durdle Door and Chesil Beach await. Along the way, you’ll find traditional pubs, farm shops, and tearooms—perfect for sampling local Dorset flavours.

With its courtyard setting, light-filled interior, and access to so many on-site activities, Bluebell Cottage offers families and couples a memorable base from which to enjoy both the peaceful surroundings of Hardy’s Dorset and the excitement of the coast beyond.