Dog friendly cottage, sleeps 2 - Sturminster Newton, Dorset

A two-person, two-dog bolthole with its own enclosed garden, this winsome former coach house is the ideal retreat for romantic breaks and solo escapes. Situated within the town of Sturminster where celebrated author, Thomas Hardy, made himself at home, it boasts great access to all sorts of local amenities – including a pub just meters away. For scenic strolls throughout the day, you can also walk less than 0.5 miles to the banks of the River Stour and wander across the Colber Bridge to reach open meadows and fields beyond.

Filled with light and decorated with homely touches, this detached cottage makes for a delightful Dorset hideaway. Upon entering, make yourself comfortable in the airy open-plan lounge/diner. A lovely room for soaking up the garden views and curling up with a book, you will immediately feel relaxed in this private bubble.

If you feel like staying in, you will find a well-equipped kitchen just off the lounge/diner too. Here, an array of appliances and accoutrements make foodie preparation a breeze. Completing the picture on the ground floor is a bathroom, while upstairs you will find a bedroom nestled in the eaves.

Hugely characterful with sloping ceilings and two circular porthole windows, this space is lovely for long lie-ins and early nights. Outside, there is a patio with a table and chairs and a spacious lawn, proffering ample space for picnics and games with the pups. With so much to explore nearby, you can easily spend a short break discovering the locale, wandering Sturminster's attractive streets, historic buildings and river setting.

A particularly pretty spot is the Sturminster Mill (0.5 miles), one of a series of ancient flour mills built on the River Stour. Further afield, you can also visit Shaftesbury (8 miles), home of the Gold Hill of Hovis fame.