Welcome to our August 2025 newsletter – week 3!
We’re at the height of August now – long sunny days, golden fields, and that unmistakable sense of summer in full swing. But here at Well Cottage, we’re also quietly looking ahead… because autumn in Dorset is also something truly special.
In this week’s newsletter, we’re sharing a rare subscriber-only offer for one of the most enchanting weeks of the year – an exclusive 30% off a fully hosted, all-inclusive October escape. Plus, you’ll find Laura’s luscious Key Lime Pie recipe (a seasonal showstopper); an eye-opening glimpse into Dorset’s Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre (recently named one of the UK’s best days out); and a nostalgic feature on how Dorset’s coast and countryside shaped Enid Blyton’s Famous Five adventures.
Whether you’re plotting your next escape or simply savouring summer from afar, there’s plenty here to stir the imagination.
Let’s begin…
Subscriber exclusive: 30% off your perfect autumn escape
October 27 – November 3, 2025: 7 blissful nights!
As one of our valued newsletter subscribers, you’ll always get first option on the best deals and here’s a real doozy! For one week only this autumn, enjoy an exclusive 30% discount on a fully hosted, all-inclusive, luxurious English Cottage Vacation. Your own private 18th-century thatched cottage, the entire experience tailored around you and up to five more guests!
Autumn in Dorset is pure magic. The countryside glows with golden light, ancient woodlands turn every walk into a painter’s dream, and the cosy comforts of Well Cottage feel all the more inviting. Think fireside drinks, rich seasonal menus, and peaceful days exploring without the summer crowds.
Choose your experience:
- Flagship Tailor-Made Getaway – from $4,620 USD / $6,650 CAD per person
- 7-Night Curated Itineraries – from $3,812 USD / $5,477 CAD per person
- Walking & Hiking Adventure – from $2,940 USD / $4,325 CAD per person
All options include:
- 5-star, 24/7 VIP hosted service
- Personal resident chef & chauffeur
- All meals, drinks, activities & transfers included
- No planning required – we handle every detail
Treat yourself to something unforgettable this autumn – whether you’re craving adventure, rest, or a little of both, it’s all waiting here for you!
Featured recipe: Laura’s Luscious UK Lime Pie
Serves: 6 – 8 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cooking time: 25 mins | Pre-Heat Oven 175°C / 347°F
This month’s featured recipe is one of Laura’s signature summer showstoppers. Light yet indulgent, her UK Lime Pie is a Well Cottage favourite – whether served as a sweet afternoon treat in the garden or as a refreshing dessert after a long, leisurely lunch or dinner. With its buttery biscuit base, smooth citrus filling, and a hint of English charm in the wild berry coulis, it’s a dish that disappears fast… so you might want to make a couple!
Ingredients
For the pie filling:
- 4 egg yolks
- 400ml condensed milk
- 6 tbsp fresh lime juice (approximately 5 limes)
- For the crust:
- 12 digestive biscuits
- 45g caster sugar
- 135g melted unsalted butter
For serving (optional):
- 200ml double cream, whipped, or ice cream
- Lime zest
- Wild berry coulis
- Fresh berries
Directions
Prepare the crust:
- Lightly grease a 22cm pie dish or springform tin with a little melted butter.
- In a food processor, blend the digestive biscuits, caster sugar, and remaining melted butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish, using the back of a spoon to firmly compress it.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Make the filling:
- Whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk in the condensed milk until fully combined.
- Stir in the fresh lime juice, mixing until the filling thickens slightly.
- Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust, smoothing the surface with the back of a spoon.
Bake the pie:
- Return the pie to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the filling is just set.
- Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight for the best results.
Serving suggestion
- Whip the double cream until it holds stiff peaks or serve the pie with a scoop of ice cream.
- Top the pie with dollops of whipped cream, grated lime zest, or fresh berries.
- For an extra flourish, drizzle tart wild berry coulis over the top or around the plate.
Tips
Pairing this pie with a wild berry coulis adds a quintessentially English flavour that contrasts beautifully with the tangy lime. Experiment with plating and have fun – it’s a versatile dessert with endless possibilities!
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!
DOWNLOAD LAURA’S RECIPE BOOK – CLICK HERE!
The week in Dorset: Monkey World swings into the spotlight
A favourite Dorset attraction has just been named one of the UK’s top days out, and it’s easy to see why. Tucked away near the village of Wool, Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre is no ordinary wildlife park. This internationally renowned rescue and rehabilitation centre is home to over 250 primates, offering visitors a moving, eye-opening experience quite unlike any other.
Founded in 1987 by the late Jim Cronin, Monkey World was initially established to rescue abused chimpanzees used as photographer’s props on Spanish beaches. That mission soon expanded into a global effort to combat the illegal primate trade. Today, the 65-acre sanctuary works with governments around the world to rescue apes and monkeys from captivity, smuggling rings, laboratories, and exotic pet ownership. The centre now cares for more than 20 species, including the largest group of chimpanzees outside Africa, and their stories are as extraordinary as they are heartbreaking.
What makes Monkey World so special is not just its scale, but its soul. From the peaceful, leafy enclosures designed to mimic natural habitats, to the specialist veterinary care and the daily enrichment activities, every detail is tailored to help these intelligent beings recover and thrive. During the summer holidays, families can enjoy themed trails, hands-on crafts, and daily keeper talks, all while supporting a deeply important cause.
It’s no wonder Monkey World just earned a coveted spot on The Telegraph’s list of best summer days out. Whether you’re passionate about wildlife, curious about conservation, or simply want a fun and meaningful family outing, this sanctuary is one of Dorset’s most unforgettable experiences. Don’t forget, booking our Flagship Tailor-made Whole Cottage Experience means you can add your choice of outings to your personalised itinerary!
Featured video: Gourmet indulgence, cottage style
What does it really mean to have your very own personal gourmet chef on holiday? In this week’s featured video, Laura lifts the lid on the culinary side of your all-inclusive English Cottage Vacation – from indulgent breakfasts to elegant dinners, and everything in between. You’ll see some of her scrumptious creations in all their glory, hear how each menu is tailored to you, and get a taste of what it’s like to have every mealtime effortlessly taken care of.
Watch below – and don’t forget to like and share!
Following in the Famous Five’s footsteps:
Enid Blyton’s Dorset
Corfe Castle Railway Station on the Swanage Railway steam train route in Dorset
For over two decades, Enid Blyton holidayed in Dorset, particularly around Swanage and Studland, and it’s no exaggeration to say that the landscape left an indelible mark on her imagination. The craggy cliffs, hidden coves, island castles, and steam trains of Purbeck inspired many of the most memorable scenes in her Famous Five stories – and readers continue to recognise glimpses of real Dorset in her fictional world.
Kirrin Island, the mysterious island that features throughout the Famous Five books, is widely believed to be inspired by Brownsea Island, nestled in Poole Harbour. With its secluded woodlands, shoreline paths, and a hint of wild adventure, it’s easy to see why Blyton was captivated. Though Brownsea is owned by the National Trust today, it retains the same sense of off-grid magic that made it the perfect model for an island packed with secrets and discovery.
Equally iconic is Kirrin Castle, perched on the fictional island. Its real-life counterpart is almost certainly Corfe Castle in Purbeck (pictured below) – a dramatic hilltop ruin with a long and storied past. Enid Blyton visited the castle many times, and its commanding views, weathered stone towers, and romantic silhouette were ideal inspiration for her tales of hidden passages, daring escapades, and ancient secrets.
Much of the Famous Five’s coastline adventures – with their descriptions of wild sea spray, rugged cliffs, and smuggler’s caves – were drawn from Blyton’s experiences along the Jurassic Coast, especially around Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. These natural wonders are as spellbinding today as they were in Blyton’s time. With their unique rock formations and crystal waters, they offered the perfect backdrop for stories brimming with intrigue and youthful adventure.
Steam trains are another key feature in Blyton’s stories, evoking a slower, more romantic age of travel. The Purbeck and Swanage Railway, which still runs heritage steam services today, echoes the quaint rural branch lines often described in her books. Readers will recognise the sleepy stations, chuffing engines, and countryside views that became synonymous with journeys to thrilling holiday destinations.
Enid Blyton’s love for Dorset shines through in her work. Her regular stays in the area weren’t just holidays – they were annual returns to a place that sparked her creativity. Today, Dorset continues to enchant visitors with the same blend of charm, freedom, and timeless beauty that she wove into the pages of her most beloved stories.
If you’re keen to experience the magic of Blyton’s Dorset for yourself, we’ll take care of every detail. Whether it’s exploring the island that inspired Kirrin, wandering the evocative ruins of Corfe Castle, or taking in the sea air along the Jurassic Coast, we’ll whisk you there in chauffeured comfort – with a gourmet picnic and plenty of Famous Five nostalgia along the way!
Lulworth Cove on the Jurassic Coast
EXPLORE OUR EXCURSIONS – CLICK HERE!
“One of the best weeks of my life…”
(and more kind words from our recent guests)
It’s hard to put into words just how much guest feedback means to us – but every now and then, someone does it for us. Katrina’s heartfelt review captures exactly what we strive for: not just a holiday, but an experience that lingers long after the suitcase is unpacked. From spontaneous countryside walks to deeply personalised care, it’s always our goal to make each stay feel extraordinary.
Here’s what Katrina had to say after her time with us (thank you, Katrina!):
“Unbelievably wonderful!
One of the best weeks of my life. All my expectations were exceeded. The service, knowledge, care, and personal touches are something I have never experienced. Nathan and Laura know how to read guests needs and desires and by the end of your stay you feel like you are friends. Nathan and Laura know how to create a balance of vacation and experiencing local life. You have the opportunity to experience as much as you are willing to or have the energy to participate in. For example, walking with Nathan to a local farm to get eggs or taking a different hiking path if you can’t handle the incline of another route. Staying at Well Cottage was one of the best weeks of my life. Unbelievable experience. I can’t believe I actually got to do it!”
– Katrina H, TripAdvisor, April 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
At the end of the month, one lucky reader will receive 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.
Perfect for lazy afternoons, romantic rambles and scenic lunches under the trees.
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!
* Disclaimer: The basket we deliver is subject to availability but we will always strive to ensure comparable quality!
Essential information:
Making your dream stay effortless
Sunset at Chapman’s Pool, a secluded horseshoe-shaped cove on the Jurassic Coast
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
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