Holiday Homes on the Dorset Coast
As property finders we have seen a marked rise in interest in buying holiday homes on the Dorset coast and expect this trend to continue as Dorset sits in a sweet spot – close enough to London and the South East to make weekend trips viable, and yet, in many cases, more affordable than the traditional South West hotspots found on the Devon and Cornwall coasts.
UK holidaymakers are back in love with holidaying in the UK. The staycation is on-trend and demand for UK holiday homes is growing fast.
Where to buy a holiday home in Dorset?
The Dorset coastline is hugely varied and beautiful and has something for everyone. To the west, the coast is characterised by the towering cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, as seen on ITV crime drama Broadchurch, and a variety of pebbly and sandy beaches, scattered between quaint fishing villages.
The central Dorset coast, which runs from Weymouth to Swanage, has plenty of its own dramatic geological features such as Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Old Harry Rocks. It also has a number of quieter, sandy bays, the best of which are found around Studland and are perfect for families.
There are many different areas to consider when buying a holiday home in Dorset depending on your property preferences and what you expect from the surrounding area.
Towns on the Dorset Coast
On the western edge of Dorset are the towns of Lyme Regis and Bridport both have a vibrant, foodie, creative feel. Lyme Regis, known as ‘the Pearl of Dorset’, is a seaside town overlooking the beautiful Lyme Bay. The town is a jumble of hilly streets that spill down to the harbour, called the Cobb, and miles of beaches.
Lyme Regis is famous for its cliffs with ammonite fossils below, and fabulous coastal walks. There are great sea views from many roads in Lyme Regis, the best are to be found to the west of the town on Sidmouth Road and the roads leading off it.
Bridport is an attractive and lively market town set just a mile and a half inland. The predominant industry in the town from the 13th century onwards was rope-making. The ropes were made on the streets and are the reason that the main roads are so wide and impressive, they are perfect for the many food and art markets.
Bridport is a great hub to access the seaside villages and attractions such as West Bay, Golden Cap, Burton Bradstock and Charmouth. There is every period and type of house in Bridport and prices tend to be a little cheaper than in Lyme Regis and on the coast.
Coastal villages in Dorset
Along the coast of Dorset there are numerous pretty villages boasting period and newer homes, whilst finding properties with direct sea views can be challenging there are an array of beautiful villages within striking distance of the coast.
Burton Bradstock is a good-sized village set between Weymouth and Lyme Regis in the west of Dorset. It is an attractive village known for its position along the Jurassic Coast with its iconic sandstone cliffs marking the start of Chesil Beach. A real gem of this area is the ever-popular Hive Beach Café situated right on the beach and overlooking Lyme Bay. There are lovely cliff walks to West Bay and Seatown to the west and West Bexington to the east.
The stunning village of Corfe Castle with its eponymous fort standing over the village must be the most photographed village in Dorset. The village is picture perfect with traditional stone-built cottages framed by the surrounding Purbeck hills. There are good amenities in Corfe with 3 pubs, a very good village shop, a bakery and several craft shops.
Some of the best beaches in Dorset can be found just a short drive away at Studland. Corfe is a popular tourist attraction in the summer and can get busy, so if its real peace and quiet you are after the nearby Purbeck villages of Kimmeridge, Worth Matravers and Kingston are worth considering.
Poole property market
Hop over Poole Harbour and the coast and feel changes. Poole is cool, glamorous and fun. There is a plentiful supply of beaches, restaurants, cafes and things to do. Value can be found in Poole but knowing where is important. House prices vary widely from the dizzying values of homes in Sandbanks to the relatively modest sale prices in the northern suburbs.
Poole is a popular second home destination due to its many miles of golden sand beaches and the high quality of its housing stock. The most popular suburbs are Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs, and Branksome Park.
Holiday Homes on the Dorset Coast
Whether you are looking for a second home for investment purposes, your own use, or a mixture of both get in touch with Garrington for expert advice.
