 Askerswell/West Compton (cottages 215, 268, 322, 420 & 508): The former a village with a pub, the latter a rural hamlet. Both set in spectacular hilly countryside with wonderful views and good walking especially to Eggardon Hill-Fort and the lovely Bride Valley.
Beaminster (cottages 112, 244, 246, 250, 254, 278, 301, 344, 377, 389, 3401 & 3403): Larger than a village, yet not large enough to warrant a main road. The shops are an arresting mix of arts, crafts, antiques, old fashioned victuallers, deli, French patisserie, three pubs, restaurants and hotel. The winner of 2009 Masterchef has now opened his new restaurant in Beaminster Square called the Wild Garlic. http://www.thewildgarlic.co.uk
Broadwindsor (cottage 348): Set in the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this large village has a craft centre, shop, pub plus wonderful walking in a spectacular range of hills topped by Iron Age forts.
Burton Bradstock (cottage 242, 251,255, 256, 287, 336 & 378) A large but exceptionally pretty village on the river Bride where it cuts through Jurassic coastal cliffs to provide access to the sea. It has a shop, two pubs, a recreation ground and a cafe on the nearby beach.
Eype (cottage 253 & 288) : A beautiful village, set just inland from the World Heritage Jurassic Coast with a good pub, hotel, views of Golden Cap and beach access.
Litton Cheney (cottage 340 & 423): A long, winding village with a pub tucked under tumuli-strewn downs in the lovely Bride valley. A maze of paths connects the surrounding rural villages.
Loders/Uploders (cottages 226, 227, 281 & 323 ): Rural villages with good pubs, situated south of Eggardon Hill Fort. Superb walks along the River Asker.
Netherbury (cottages 234 & 271): One of Dorset’s prettiest villages with a fine church and elegant houses nestling in the tree-filled Brit valley.
Puncknowle (cottages 265 & 268): Pronounced Punnel is a village with a Pub tucked under tumuli-strewn downs in the picturesque Bride Valley. Surrounded by footpaths connecting with the surrounding villages and Coast Path.
Powerstock (cottage 113): Nestling at the foot of Eggardon Hill the village has a pub and an ancient church which sits high on a hill and dates from the Norman times.
Salwayash (cottages 109 & 248): A village with a pub on the Bridport/Broadwindsor Road, overlooking the Brit Valley with footpaths to Waytown (good pub) and Netherbury.
Shipton Gorge (cottages 237, 356, 365 & 367): Has a fine hilltop church, lovely cottages on narrow lanes, farm shops, a pub and beautiful countryside down to the sea.
Stoke Abbott (cottage 383): This pretty, rural village, set in hilly countryside, has a pub and church with traditional clock chimes and bells.
Swyre (cottage 396) A small village lying between Abbotsbury and Burton Bradstock with Church and Pub. A footpath down through fields leads to the wild Chesil Beach of West Bexington.
Toller Porcorum (cottage 382). Tucked away in a deep valley, this quiet, rural village has animpressive church. Toller was the name of the nearby river; Porcorum means “of the pigs”.
Walditch (cottages 243, 279, 291 & 345): Deep in hilly countryside yet only a mile from Bridport and West Bay. No pub but it has a Real Tenniscourt.
West Milton (cottage 366): A tranquil hamlet set below Eggardon Hill Fort with two village pubs nearby.
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Bridport is an attractive Georgian town famous for ropemaking, near the mouth of the River Brit. Though small it has all facilities including supermarkets and abundant pubs (Palmers Brewery run tours). There is a museum, restored art deco cinema with brasserie and bar plus a lively street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tourist Information Centre (01308 424901): 32 South Street. Beaminster, 6 miles inland, offers craft galleries, specialist food shops, restaurants and pubs in pretty Ham stone buildings. Cradled in a downland bowl; it is surrounded by wondrous high ground walking.
Dorset
Holiday Cottages Ltd.