Welcome to our June 2025 Newsletter – Week 3! This week we’re whisking you from a high-speed spectacle on the waves to the quiet beauty of a coastal webcam. Plus there’s a show-stopping summer salad and a festive invitation just too good to resist! And of course, we share some glowing words from our recent guests – and some top tips on tipping.
Let’s dive in!
Unwrap a magical pre-Christmas
escape – now 25% off!
Thinking about what to do this Christmas? We have 2 weeks with availability – currently at 25% off!!
- December 1-8: Bedrooms 1 and 2 available for a Shared Cottage Experience
- December 10-18: Whole Cottage Experience with family or friends
Book now for the ultimate pre-Christmas vacation and get into the festive spirit wrapped in luxury in an enchanting English winter wonderland!
Featured recipe: Laura’s scrumptious
seared tuna nicoise salad
Serves: 10 | Meal type: Lunch | Prep Time: 30 Mins | Cooking Time: 20 Mins
This week, we’re spotlighting a vibrant, flavour-packed dish from Laura’s own table that’s simply perfect for sharing in the sunshine. Whether served alfresco in our blooming garden or at your own sunny kitchen table, this dish is an absolute showstopper. It’s ideal for a garden party or al fresco lunch for ten – and if you’re cooking for a smaller gathering, just halve the ingredients!
Ingredients
Marinade for tuna:
- Juice of 1 large lemon or 2 limes
- 2 ½ tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 tbsp (60ml) olive oil
- Lots of black pepper
- Salt, to taste
For the salad:
- 8 fresh tuna steaks
- 1 ½ lbs baby potatoes (or regular potatoes, cut into chunks)
- 2 medium lettuces, chopped
- 4 medium tomatoes, cut into chunks
- 1 can black olives, pitted and drained
- 300g (2 cups) green beans, stringed, cooked, and left whole or halved
For the dressing:
- ¾ cup (190ml) olive oil
- ½ cup (125ml) white wine vinegar
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian spices
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
To marinate the tuna:
- Place the tuna steaks in a Tupperware or shallow dish.
- Squeeze over the lemon or lime juice, sprinkle with parsley, drizzle olive oil, and generously season with black pepper and a pinch of salt.
- Ensure both sides of the steaks are evenly coated.
- Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Prepare the salad:
- Boil the baby potatoes until just cooked through, then drain.
- Allow to cool in their own heat.
- Cut into quarters when cool and coat with a little dressing.
- Blanch the green beans in boiling water until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and retain their vibrant colour.
Cook the tuna:
- Preheat a BBQ or grill pan over high heat.
- Cook the tuna steaks for 1–2 minutes on each side, ensuring the middle remains slightly pink.
- Remove and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into chunks.
Make the dressing:
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian spices, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Assemble the salad:
- On two large serving platters, arrange the chopped lettuce as the base.
- Top with quartered potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, and black olives.
- Arrange the sliced tuna chunks on top and drizzle with the prepared dressing.
Serving suggestion:
- Serve with fresh crusty bread and butter for a hearty meal.
Additions:
- For extra variety, include boiled eggs, toasted sesame seeds, garlic sautéed shiitake mushrooms, or giant croutons.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and drizzle with balsamic glaze for added flair.
Tips:
- For a vegan option, replace tuna with firm tofu marinated in the same way.
- For a fish-free variation, beef can also work as a substitute.
This is just one of more than 80 delicious recipes featured in Laura’s online recipe book – now available to download instantly for just £30!
The week in Dorset: Power, speed &
seaside thrills at the Poole Bay 100
Last weekend, Dorset’s coastline was alive with the roar of high-performance engines as the Poole Bay 100 Offshore Powerboat Race tore through the waves off Bournemouth’s coast. Part of the 2025 UKOPRA Offshore Championships, the event drew up to 25 elite teams from across the UK and Europe, competing in a spectacle of speed, skill, and serious horsepower – ranging from 200 to a thunderous 2200!
Starting near Bournemouth Pier, the racers charged towards Boscombe Pier in multi-lap circuits covering up to 95 miles, treating spectators to multiple adrenaline-pumping passes. Prime viewing spots like Southbourne, Hengistbury Head, and Poole Quay Marina were packed with fans, culminating in a lively podium celebration back at the marina.
At English Cottage Vacation, we love to celebrate everything that makes Dorset so special – and that includes its spectacular calendar of events. Whether you’re into coastal culture, local festivals, or high-octane excitement like this, Nathan and Laura will always ensure you’re in the right place at the right time, with custom-curated outings to suit your personal interests.
Catch the highlights in the video below and see what makes Dorset’s events unforgettable!
Featured video: Lyme Regis
Harbour live webcam
Take a virtual stroll along the Cobb and watch the magic of a working Dorset harbour in real time!
Ever wondered what life looks like along the Jurassic Coast – right now? Thanks to the Lyme Regis Harbour live webcam, you can enjoy real-time views of this enchanting seaside town, streaming directly from the historic Cobb.
This live feed, hosted by Dorset Council UK, captures the gentle rhythm and daily bustle of harbour life – from hardworking fishermen and bobbing boats to panoramic bay views. Whether you’re dreaming of your next coastal escape or simply craving a few serene moments, this webcam brings the spirit of the sea straight to you.
And the best bit? Lyme Regis is one of many tailor-made excursions available during your stay at Well Cottage! Let Nathan chauffeur you there in comfort, where you can stroll the Cobb in person, explore fossil shops, enjoy fresh seafood, or simply bask in the beauty of the Jurassic Coast.
Home to 246 private moorings and 34 commercial ones, the harbour is alive with charm and character
Try your hand at deep-sea fishing in the summer or watch boats glide in and out of this historic port
Explore the town’s rich fossil heritage, dine in award-winning restaurants, or browse local art galleries
Lyme Regis is a favourite amongst guests seeking that perfect blend of coastal charm, natural beauty, and English seaside tradition – and just one of the many unforgettable day trips curated with your tastes in mind.
Pay a virtual visit to Lyme Regis harbour right now to whet your appetite!
“A trip that will be hard to beat…”
(and more kind words from our recent guests)
We always say it’s the little touches that make a stay at Well Cottage feel like home – and hearing that from our guests never stops being special. Here’s what the lovely Donna D had to say about her recent visit:
“Laura and Nathan are warm and talented hosts!
Laura and Nathan are perfect hosts, making their darling cottage feel like home. Every need is anticipated perfectly. Your dining experience will be delightful and Nathan’s skills as a guide are very good. I’d been to two of the towns before and learned so much more than my first trip. It was a trip that will be hard to beat!” – Donna D, TripAdvisor, May 2025
Have you been a guest of ours? We’d be so grateful if you can share your experiences on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews too! Also be sure to check out the testimonials featured on our website!
Be in to win a luxury picnic
basket – just stay subscribed
Next month, another lucky reader will win a beautifully crafted picnic hamper – made from steamed willow with leather straps and filled with countryside essentials: fine china plates, wine glasses, a tartan blanket, and more.
This is very much like the hamper that our guests get to take with them on countryside excursions with Nathan at the wheel. Of course, theirs is brimming with Laura’s gorgeous gourmet goodies!
To be in with a chance to get this fantastic gift, simply stay subscribed to our weekly newsletter! And share our sign-up link with family and friends so they can be entered in the draw too – click here!
Essential information: Making
your dream stay effortless
Planning your perfect English Cottage Vacation is as seamless as the experience itself. From booking and payment to designing your tailor-made itinerary, here are some key links to show you just how effortless our process is:
Your Tailor-Made Itinerary, Discovery Process
Join our Facebook community!
Come and join our growing community on Facebook, where we share updates from the cottage, seasonal snapshots, and a behind-the-scenes look at life in Dorset.
A note on tipping – from Nathan & Laura
We’re often asked by our lovely guests how much they should tip service providers during their stay—massage therapists, private guides, drivers, and so on.
The honest answer? Here in England, tipping outside of the restaurant industry is not expected and isn’t part of the culture in the same way it is elsewhere. Most professionals don’t anticipate it, though of course, it’s always appreciated if offered.
The same goes for us at English Cottage Vacation. We do not include gratuities in our pricing, and we absolutely never work for a tip. The level of care and attention we give is simply the standard we hold ourselves to—every guest, every time.
That said, if you feel moved to leave a token of appreciation for the service you’ve received, it would be accepted with heartfelt gratitude.
Warmly,
Nathan & Laura
