If you’ve ever dreamt of the English countryside – all golden fields, winding lanes, and honey-hued cottages – it’s time to discover the most personalized vacation in England. Nestled in the quiet folds of North Dorset, a storybook 18th-century thatched cottage is redefining what it means to “get away from it all.” This elegant retreat was born from the boldest of life pivots – when two luxury yacht professionals traded turquoise seas for hedgerows, harbour towns for hamlets, and the open ocean for the open fields of Dorset.
Welcome to English Cottage Vacation – an all-inclusive, fully custom-crafted holiday experience hosted by Laura and Nathan Kurton, a couple whose careers once revolved around providing five-star service to discerning guests aboard private super yachts. Now, their land-based venture brings that same level of luxury, personalization, and heart – only with English roses instead of salty spray.
From High Seas to Country Lanes: A Career Re-imagined
Laura and Nathan during their decade-long luxury yacht careers
For more than a decade, Laura and Nathan lived at sea. As captain and chef on high-end charter yachts in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, they delivered elite holiday experiences to travellers accustomed to the very best – from multi-course meals beneath the stars to meticulously curated daily itineraries. “It was a dream job,” says Laura. “But after a while, we wanted to come home – and build something of our own.”
Their wish to plant roots became reality when they purchased Well Cottage, a charming 18th-century thatched home in the North Dorset countryside. Located in the tiny hamlet of Bedchester, the cottage lies at the edge of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a protected landscape of rolling hills, ancient woodland, and wildlife-rich farmland.
The Kurtons lovingly restored the cottage to honour its history while introducing modern comforts and luxuries that reflect their yachting pedigree. Today, Well Cottage is the heart of English Cottage Vacation – a one-of-a-kind holiday offering that blends the intimacy of a homestay with the polish of a five-star resort.
What Makes It the Most Personalized Vacation in England?
In short: Laura and Nathan.
Guests of English Cottage Vacation can choose between two types of Exclusive Whole Cottage stays – the fully customizable Flagship Package or the thoughtfully curated 7-Night Set Itinerary. Alternatively, for solo travellers or couples who enjoy connecting with like-minded guests, the Shared Cottage Experience offers the same all-inclusive luxury in a relaxed, small-group setting.
When booked exclusively, the entire 18th-century cottage becomes your private countryside haven, with space for up to six guests. But for solo travellers or couples who love the idea of meeting like-minded Anglophiles, the Shared Cottage Experience offers a convivial alternative without compromising on comfort or attention to detail.
Whichever option you choose, one thing remains constant: everything is tailored to you.
Before arrival, Laura and Nathan personally connect with each guest to plan a completely customized itinerary. This might include historic day trips to Stonehenge and ancient castles, outings on the Jurassic Coast, or a restorative day of massages and meandering through honey-stone villages. Nothing is standard. Everything is personalized – from the morning’s breakfast to the evening’s wine pairing.
Nathan handles all transport in a luxury Mercedes people carrier, transforming every outing into a chauffeured excursion. Laura, meanwhile, creates stunning seasonal menus using produce from the surrounding Dorset countryside and Well Cottage’s own gardens.
Evenings are marked by cocktails and canapés, followed by four-course gourmet dinners that celebrate the best of modern British cuisine. And yes – if you’re craving breakfast in bed, it can be yours.
“We didn’t want this to feel like a hotel with a thatched roof,” says Laura. “It’s our home, and when people come here, we treat them like old friends.”
Living Where They Work – and Why It Works
One of the defining aspects of English Cottage Vacation is that Laura and Nathan live on-site. It’s a rare model – and one they honed over years in the yachting world, where service is ever-present but never intrusive. Their ability to strike this balance is a key reason guests describe the experience as simultaneously luxurious and relaxed.
Their roles are instinctive and complementary. Laura is hands-on with guests in the kitchen, yet quietly attentive behind the scenes when guests want privacy. Nathan coordinates excursions, mixes pre-dinner drinks, and ensures everything runs seamlessly. They credit their success to communication, trust, and an unwavering belief in the power of positive thinking.
“We always try to have each other’s back through everything,” Laura explains. “There’s no silent treatment. If we have a disagreement, we talk about it, and move on.”
It’s a dynamic that gives the entire guest experience an effortless quality – even though the work behind it is anything but.
A Business Born in Uncertainty – and Thriving in Intimacy
Remarkably, English Cottage Vacation launched in 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. With international travel in chaos, it may have seemed like the worst possible time to start a luxury hospitality venture. But for Laura and Nathan, it was the perfect window.
“We’d been talking about it for years – even back in 2006 when we were still on yachts,” Laura recalls. The enforced pause brought by the pandemic gave them the time and focus to finally make it happen.
Their gamble paid off. What started as a quiet debut during lockdown restrictions has grown into an internationally celebrated experience. Today, most of their guests come from the US and Canada, drawn by the promise of an authentic English escape that eliminates all stress. It’s easy to see the appeal: there’s no need to rent a car, book activities, research restaurants, or navigate unfamiliar towns. Every detail is handled with care – right down to the perfectly folded napkin at dinner.
This commitment to detail has not gone unnoticed. In just a few short years, English Cottage Vacation has earned Gold at the Dorset Tourism Awards and Bronze at the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards – accolades that speak volumes for an experience this intimate and hands-on.
Slow Travel, Thoughtful Living – And What Comes Next
English Cottage Vacation isn’t looking to expand rapidly or franchise its model. For now, the focus is on keeping the experience personal, exclusive, and utterly unique. The Kurtons offer only a limited number of stays each year to ensure every guest receives their full attention. There are whispers of a second property elsewhere in the UK, but that remains a longer-term vision.
For now, Well Cottage remains their base, their business, and their home. And for the guests lucky enough to stay there, it’s something even more rare: a luxury holiday that feels like being truly cared for.
Final Thoughts: The Most Personalized Vacation in England
English Cottage Vacation isn’t about flashy amenities or lavish extras (though it certainly has those). It’s about how it makes you feel – calm, grounded, appreciated. It’s about two professionals who traded ocean waves for rolling fields, and in doing so, created something timeless.
Whether you’re marking a milestone, reconnecting with loved ones, or simply craving peace and good food in a beautiful place, English Cottage Vacation is the sort of experience that lingers long after you’ve left. Because when luxury is rooted in sincerity, every detail becomes unforgettable.
Reach out for more information or to book your dream vacation – click here.
