Family-friendly holiday rentals in North Dorset District

Oak Framed Home with Countryside Views

Get back in touch with nature at this luxury cabin nestled in a quiet hamlet. Find tranquility on the terrace surrounded by breathtaking views, or lounge amid thoughtful decor and chic modern finishes in the exposed oak beam interior. Blue Vale is brand new as of June 2018! We helped to design this green oak framed building and have been involved in the whole process of building it, doing much of it ourselves. For our colour scheme we have used different shades of blue throughout, playing on the name of Blue Vale. The furnishing and finishing touches are of a high standard to help promote a comfortable and luxurious finish. There is an eclectic style combining modern country with industrial finishes. Luxury, high thread cotton bedding and towels, large flat screen smart tv's and luxury Neals Yard toiletries help to give the top-end finishing touches we would appreciate if we stayed away from home. Blue Vale is completely self contained but sits in the grounds of our family home. The decked outdoor living space is screened by trellis on the garden side with fields on the other. You would be very welcome to walk around our garden. We can be as interactive as you wish. With living in the same grounds we are close at hand if needed. We will welcome you when you arrive but will be respectful of your privacy. The glorious Blackmore Vale landscape is a tapestry of farmed green fields with a sprinkling of English villages, of which Sandley is one. Walk out (or cycle, using our available bikes) onto country lanes and venture along a web of footpaths to discover this unspoilt part of Dorset. Visit Stourhead, stroll around the ancient towns of Sherborne or Shaftesbury or discover the beautiful Jurassic coast. Visit Longleat safari park, Haynes Motor Museum, Monkey world & Yeovilton Air Museum. Sandley is a quiet hamlet with the neighbouring village of Buckhorn Weston just a mile away. The Stapleton Arms pub can be found here. We are 10 minutes away from the towns of Gillingham and Wincanton where various supermarkets, shops and services are. There is a train station in Gillingham which has a direct route to London in less than 2 hours. The larger cities of Bath and Salisbury are less than an hours drive and it takes around an hour to drive to the beautiful Jurassic coastline. The historic towns of Shaftesbury and Sherborne are only 15 and 20 minutes away respectively. The quiet rural roads and bridleways of the Blackmore Vale are excellent for cycling and walking. Blue Vale is in the grounds of our family home. There is a one- bedroomed B&B facility on the ground floor of our home.

the pod@springwater

The Pod at Springwater is a unique, handcrafted property set up amongst the trees. It has two bedrooms: one double, with a large window and a view into the trees and the smaller, twin room, with offset bunk beds. The living room has a smart tv. There's also a well equipped bathroom with a great shower. Downstairs is accessed through a trapdoor in the floor to the kitchen or the fun way via the tube slide. Double doors open onto the backyard, which has an outdoor fireplace, pizza oven and bbq.

The Studio: Unique 2-Bedroom Home

The Studio at Framley Orchard is a charming 2-bedroom home with a cozy mezzanine floor. Peaceful but with plenty to do it’s perfect for couples and families of all ages, with a garden featuring swings and climbing trees. You’re in a great spot—our village has an excellent pub, a village shop, and we’re right next to an Organic Farm Shop & Café with incredible food (Wednesday-Saturday). Off-road footpaths lead to the foot of Hambledon Hill. Plus, you’re close to the trailway for cycling too.

Stylish Barn Conversion

The Barn is a converted property located at the head of the stunning Tarrant valley within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The main living area has dual aspect and bifold doors out onto an enclosed patio, garden and seating area. Two of the bedrooms have internal balconies into the main body of the barn and triple velux roof windows to enjoy the rural views. The third bedroom has bifold doors onto the patio and an en-suite with rainfall snail shower. TV/cinema room.

“Rex the Bus” Quirky and fun bus conversion.

"Rex the Bus" is unique, fun and just a little bit quirky. This double decker bus has been converted to the highest standard and connected to mains electricity, water and drainage. Enjoy panoramic views of the countryside from the windows, watch the sunrise from your double bed or cabin bunk bed. Heating and a wood-burner will keep you warm and snug, whilst the kitchen area provides plenty of space to cook up a delicious meal. There is a shower downstairs and a loo and basin upstairs.

Hanford Minima

Immaculate newly renovated three-bedroom cottage, (1 super king en suite, 1 king and 1 twin sharing a family bathroom) dating from the 1840s in typical Dorset brick and flint. Nestled at the foot of Hambledon Hill – between Shaftesbury and Blandford – it's only a mile to the excellent village shop and an easy walk over Hambledon hill to The Cricketer's pub for lunch or a pint. Drive to the Jurassic coast (40 mins) to explore Lulworth Cove or visit the gorgeous beach at Studland or Weymouth

Cosy & Spacious Shepherd's Hut with Stunning Views

Our shepherd's hut is thickly insulated to stay cool all summer, with a fridge to keep your beers cold. Outside, a generous deck and seating area is made for bright mornings and long evenings. Gather round the fire bowl as the sun goes down to watch the stars emerge over truly dark skies. Solar-powered lighting and mains sockets, double and single bed, a fully equipped kitchen, hot water washing up just outside the door — all a ten minute stroll away from The George, an award-winning pub.

The Barn - peaceful country setting.

A converted barn at Cann Common next to the main house with its own garden, patio and parking area. Located on a no-through road with only local residents traffic, giving a peaceful setting with views of the surrounding hills. Shaftesbury just over a mile with its historic Gold Hill and a good choice of shops and places to eat. It is a good base for exploring the area, offering historic houses, interesting gardens, walks, the Jurassic Coast, Stonehenge, Salisbury and Bath and much more.

Cosy Countryside 2-Bedroom Guest House

Escape to our cosy countryside annexe in Child Okeford within walking distance to historic Hambledon Hill. Set beside a peaceful stream with woodland views and birdsong, it’s perfect for a rural getaway. The self-contained space has 2 bedrooms (one with cot), a fully equipped kitchen for home cooking, and a shower room with washer and dryer. Enjoy the wood fire, private deck with grill, village shop and pubs. A peaceful home away from home to unwind and explore the charm of rural Dorset.

The Apex: a tiny house retreat in a wild meadow

A wonderful and unique tiny house on wheels, The Apex is nestled within a wildlife habitat surrounded by unspoilt views of the rolling Dorset countryside. Stay and experience the ideal retreat in which to relax and unwind, from where you can venture out on country walks in nature and to neighbouring rural villages and towns. Enjoy the loft-style bedroom and separate reading room floating above a fully equipped kitchen and living area, looking out to an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Modern & spacious house in the countryside.

The Pavilion is a modern, purpose built holiday house in the quiet Somerset village of Yarlington. It has all the conveniences: Wood burning stove, underfloor heating, Washer & tumble dryer, Iron & ironing board, fast fibre optic broadband and a charging station for an electric or plug in hybrid car, but sadly the mobile phone signal is very poor. The house is next to the pub and a stones throw from the church. The Newt and Hauser Wirth Gallery in Bruton are within a 15 minute drive.

Woodland Cabin with Brand New Sauna

In the heart of ancient Dorset woodland, the Cabin enjoys forest views from every room, a log burning stove, al fresco terrace dining, outdoor showering, sauna, hammock and private wildlife garden. 40 minutes away from the World Heritage Jurassic coast, a perfect destination for nature lovers, walkers and cyclists, this countryside hideaway is perfect for those in need of a digital detox. Unfortunately, it isn’t suitable for children under 5 or large/active dogs (see House Rules).