Welcome to our August 2025 newsletter – Week 1!
What a glorious summer it’s been here in Dorset so far – with more sunshine to come! Long, golden days have made the countryside shimmer, and our guests have been soaking up every moment of it, whether out on the coast, exploring hidden corners of the county, or simply relaxing in the peaceful gardens of Well Cottage. There’s a special energy this time of year, with the fields and hedgerows in full bloom and a real sense of holiday joy in the air.
This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes with Laura and Nathan as they go about their day, creating the effortless experiences and warm hospitality that make an English Cottage Vacation feel so special. From early morning gourmet creations in the kitchen, to scenic country drives, to evenings of fine dining and quiet luxury, it’s a rhythm they love – and one guests never forget.
We’re also sharing wonderful news from Dorset’s beautiful underwater world: sightings of seahorses are at their highest in decades! Plus the last seafaring steamship in the world is set to revisit our shores. And don’t miss this week’s video – a quick summer stroll through the gorgeous Well Cottage gardens, with a surprise ending you’ll want to raise a glass to 😉
Buckle up!
A day in the life of Laura & Nathan
Ever wondered what it takes to deliver an all‑inclusive, tailor‑made English countryside escape? Step into a typical day with your resident hosts, Laura and Nathan.
Their morning starts quietly, long before guests stir. Laura is often in the kitchen at this early hour, whisking, baking, or preparing the day’s gourmet delights. And because the kitchen is well away from the three guest bedrooms upstairs, no one is ever disturbed by this busy activity.
Breakfast here isn’t just a meal, it’s very much a part of the experience: warm pastries, freshly brewed coffee, sizzling bacon, sausages, eggs and all the other trimmings of a “Full English” – the comforting aromas of a country home waking up for the day. It might be Laura’s Berry Stuffed English Pancakes, Eggs Florentine, Scrambled Eggs Royale with Smoked Trout, or even Dorset Lobster Benedict. Every meal is personalised to guest preferences and needs.
Nathan, meanwhile, is outside ensuring the luxury Mercedes people‑carrier gleams and is ready for whatever the day’s personalised itinerary calls for. It’s stocked with chilled drinks, snacks, and a few thoughtful extras guests often don’t expect. If a picnic is on the agenda, Laura packs the hamper with her famous gourmet treats – dishes that turn an English countryside lunch into something unforgettable.
After breakfast, Nathan chauffeurs guests along scenic country lanes, sharing local history and pointing out hidden gems along the way. While guests are exploring, Laura ensures the guest rooms and bathrooms are pristine – fresh towels neatly hung, beds perfectly made – before perhaps picking veggies and herbs for dinner from the organic garden, or heading to the village for other fresh ingredients.
For guests enjoying a more relaxed day at Well Cottage, Laura might run a laid‑back cookery demonstration or prepare a light lunch (think Savoury Quiche, Coronation Chicken Salad, Thai Fish Cakes, Prawn Tempura Tacos and so much more); while Nathan perhaps sets up lawn games like croquet or badminton and keeps the drinks flowing. Spa treatments with expert therapists can be arranged on request, turning the day into one of pure indulgence.
If it’s been a big day out, when guests return from their day’s adventures – often with rosy cheeks from a coastal walk or a stately home tour – Laura and Nathan’s easy hospitality comes into its own. Whether it’s a restorative cup of tea or something a little stronger chilled and served al fresco in the gorgeous gardens, they create a space for guests to unwind before the evening meal.
As dinnertime arrives, Laura puts the finishing touches to her multi-course gourmet menu – a fragrant starter like Pine Nut and Basil Bruschetta, Steamed Mussels in Wine with Garlic, Lobster Parcels with Limoncello Sauce… for mains, perhaps a slow‑cooked Pistachio Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Orange & Ginger Sauce, or Pan Fried Duck Breast with Plum Port Sauce, or Lemon Pepper Sea Bass… and for dessert maybe her signature Red Wine and Grenadine Poached Pears Stuffed with Mascarpone Cheese, Eton Mess, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Rhubarb & Blackberry Crumble… the list goes on.
Throughout the evening, Laura and Nathan strike a delicate balance: ensuring guests have everything they want and need without ever being obtrusive, allowing for privacy yet always being within easy reach.
After a day of unforgettable experiences and wonderful food, guests can settle into the cosy snug or step outside to marvel at the clear Dorset night sky, a canopy of stars above and the tranquil hush of the countryside all around.
It’s a rhythm Laura and Nathan love, one built entirely around creating moments that stay with guests long after they’ve returned home – moments of quiet luxury, warm hospitality, and the timeless beauty of Dorset.
EXPERIENCE THIS 24/7 VIP SERVICE – REACH OUT!
The week in Dorset:
Seahorses sparkle in Studland Bay!
This summer has brought a delightful surprise beneath the waves of Studland Bay: A surge in seahorse sightings! Thanks to years of careful conservation and the installation of eco-friendly moorings that protect vital seagrass beds, volunteer divers have recorded an impressive increase, spotting seven spiny seahorses in a single dive and 33 so far this season.
The bay is now flourishing as a safe haven for two protected UK species – the spiny seahorse and the short-snouted seahorse – making it one of Britain’s most exciting underwater conservation success stories.
Love nature and wildlife? Ask us about including stunning Studland Bay in your itinerary. It’s yet another unforgettable Dorset experience!
EXPLORE OUR EXCURSIONS – CLICK HERE!
Featured video: Summer in bloom…
and the perfect spot to lean on
This week’s video is a delightful short that takes you on a super quick stroll through the gorgeous Well Cottage gardens, basking in all their summer glory. You’ll catch glimpses of the verdant fields that surround the cottage and even enjoy a few quick peeks inside, offering a taste of the charm that awaits you.
Spoiler alert: watch to the end – let’s just say you may fancy a toast when you see the surprise waiting there..!
A Legend of the Seas Returns
This autumn, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, the Waverley, will return to Dorset’s shores for a very special visit. Celebrating 50 years of preservation and nearly eight decades of service, this National Historic Fleet vessel is more than just a boat – she’s a floating piece of history. From 1st to 23rd September, she’ll be sailing from Weymouth, Poole and Swanage, offering an unforgettable day out on the water and a rare chance to experience travel from another era.
The Waverley was built in 1946 to replace an earlier paddle steamer of the same name that was sunk during the heroic evacuation of Dunkirk in World War II. Named after Sir Walter Scott’s famous novel, she was designed as a Clyde pleasure steamer, carrying day‑trippers along Scotland’s waterways. Her distinctive red, white and black funnels and elegant profile soon became a familiar sight, and she operated for decades before finally being retired from commercial service.
Rather than face the scrapyard, the Waverley was purchased in 1975 for the symbolic price of £1 and lovingly restored by enthusiasts, launching a new life as a heritage excursion ship. Since then, she’s carried more than six million passengers and become a “national treasure”, visiting the Dorset coast every year as part of her celebrated coastal tours. Today she remains a unique living link to a golden age of travel – a piece of moving history still proudly powered by her original steam engines.
Cook the Well Cottage Way:
80+ Recipes from Laura’s Kitchen
Discover the heart of English Cottage Vacation from your own home with Laura’s instantly downloadable recipe book, filled with over 80 cherished recipes inspired by life at Well Cottage.
From beautifully baked treats and seasonal lunches to comforting mains and traditional puddings, each recipe is easy to follow and full of Dorset flavour. These are the dishes that define the rhythm of cottage life – simple, elegant, and cooked with care.
Whether you’re planning your visit or simply craving a taste of the English countryside, this thoughtfully curated collection is yours to enjoy for just £30.
Bring the beauty of cottage living to your kitchen – or gift it to someone who appreciates food that feels like a warm welcome.
DOWNLOAD LAURA’S RECIPE BOOK – CLICK HERE!
“Nathan and Laura went above and beyond
to make sure everything was perfect…”
(and more kind words from our recent guests)
We love hearing from guests who have experienced the magic of Well Cottage for themselves. Every review means the world to us, and we’re so grateful when guests take the time to share their memories – like this wonderful 5‑star review:
“Perfect English Vacation
Our stay at Well Cottage was absolutely wonderful! Nathan and Laura went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. Definitely a trip of a lifetime. And the food was amazing! The gardens are beautiful and the cottage is a perfect country get-a-way. Highly recommend.” – Paradise61289, TripAdvisor, July 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!
Your chance to win a luxury picnic
hamper… Simply stay subscribed!
Each month, we select one lucky subscriber to receive our signature countryside picnic hamper – a beautifully crafted basket made from steamed willow, fitted with leather straps, and filled with timeless essentials.
Inside, you’ll find fine china, real glassware, a tartan blanket, and everything you need for a perfectly elegant day outdoors. Ideal for scenic rambles, quiet gardens, or lunches beneath the trees.
If you’re subscribed, you’re already in the draw!
Know someone who would love this too? Share our newsletter with them using this link and they’ll be entered as well – CLICK HERE!
* Disclaimer: The basket we deliver is subject to availability but we will always strive to ensure comparable quality!
Essential info: Everything you
need to know, all in one place
Emmett’s Hill, Jurassic Coast
From your first enquiry to your farewell at Heathrow, we’ve designed every step of your English Cottage Vacation to be smooth, simple and beautifully stress-free.
Whether you’re curious about availability, wondering how payments work, or ready to shape your tailor-made itinerary, the links below will guide you through it all – clearly, quickly, and with complete confidence.
Your Tailor-Made Itinerary, Discovery Process
Step inside the cottage community!
Join our Facebook group for a peek behind the scenes, seasonal updates from Well Cottage, and a friendly space to connect with fellow Anglophiles. We’d love to welcome you in!
