Melbury Abbas - Dog friendly holiday cottage, sleeps 6

Situated in the heart of Dorset's beautiful landscape of rolling hills and open farmland is this charming barn conversion. Sleeping four, the accommodation is spacious, open plan and packed full of character through exposed beams, stone walls and wooden flooring. After a long day spent exploring the surrounding countryside or nearby coastline, return to this welcoming retreat for a cosy night beside the roaring wood burner or a relaxing soak in the private wood-fired hot tub.

Inside, this property offers a delightful blend of old and new. The country-style galley kitchen is equipped with modern appliances and opens onto the private terrace. Continuing through, a spacious lounge/diner with exposed beams, oak flooring and a wood burner is an inviting and homely room for dining and relaxing.

Upstairs, the two bedrooms boast exposed beams, stone walls, slanting ceilings, TVs and wonderful rural views. Outside, a private terrace is perfect for enjoying delicious summer BBQs and long soaks in the hot tub, while the shared games barn with table tennis and table football is ideal for competitive guests. A walker's paradise, this area is rich in natural beauty and offers a great network of footpaths that run through pretty villages and unspoilt countryside.

The quaint market town of Shaftesbury (3 miles) is home to Gold Hill, made famous by the 70s television adverts. Meanwhile, a little further afield the seaside resorts of Poole (23 miles), Bournemouth (32 miles) and Weymouth (34 miles) boast a wealth of eateries, watersports and amusement attractions. Other coastal highlights include Swanage (35 miles), Studland (34 miles) and Lulworth Cove (28 miles), while further inland Longleat House and Safari Park (21 miles) and Hayes Motor Museum (22 miles) are well worth a visit.