Welcome to our fabulous July 2025 Newsletter – Week 2!
This week, we’re celebrating the unique moments that make every stay at Well Cottage so personal and so memorable. From spontaneous laughter to quiet countryside joy, no two visits are ever the same!
You’ll also find our latest special offers, with up to 25% off select escapes in 2025 – and a new exciting opportunity for 2026.
We’re spotlighting one of Dorset’s most romantic hidden gems; a historic showdown between Arthur and the Saxons (possibly!); and two stunning local beaches just named among Britain’s best.
Read on to discover all the wonder awaiting you on your next English Cottage Vacation!
Cottage connections captured
Whether it’s shared laughter, quiet moments, or the joy of discovering somewhere new, no two stays are ever quite the same – and that’s exactly what makes them so special. Here are just a few snapshots capturing some unforgettable memories made with us here at English Cottage Vacation.
THIS COULD BE YOU – CLICK HERE TO REACH OUT NOW!
Explore all of our current offers
and vacation opportunities!
Whether you’re dreaming of a festive countryside retreat or you’re ready for something new next year, these exclusive offers are ready to book!
Short Stay Tailor-made Itinerary – 25% off
4 nights | August 28 – Sept 1 2025 | Whole Cottage
Perhaps you’re already booked to visit England and just want something additional to compliment your already exciting vacation. Why not make it extra memorable with a 4 night stay at Well Cottage for 2-6 people, a completely customised itinerary and make the most of your visit to South England. CLICK HERE to see what’s in store for you with our flagship, tailor-made experience!
Tailor-made or Set Itinerary – 25% off
7 nights | October 27 – November 3, 2025 | Whole Cottage | Up to 6 guests OFF
Choose a tailor-made itinerary or one of our seven amazing 7 night set itineraries and bring your family and friends for a truly unforgettable and personalised English vacation experience. Explore more about our flagship package – CLICK HERE!
Shared Cottage – Festive Winter Itinerary – 25% off
7 nights | 1- 8 December, 2025 | Bedrooms 1 & 2 | All-inclusive Shared Cottage Experience
A magical pre-Christmas Shared Cottage winter wonderland escape filled with seasonal sparkle, comfort, and charm. To explore our Festive Winter itinerary, CLICK HERE!
Tailor-made Christmas at Well Cottage – 25% off
7 nights | 10-17 December, 2025 | Whole Cottage | Up to 6 guests
Our flagship festive experience – entirely personalised, deeply relaxing, and utterly unforgettable!
Shared Cottage – All-new 7 night sightseeing itinerary!
7 nights| 19-26 August, 2026 | Rooms 1 & 2 available
Already visited? This is your chance to return for a whole new week of freshly curated Dorset adventures! Check out our Shared Cottage experiences by CLICKING HERE and our all new 7-night sightseeing itinerary HERE!
VISIT OUR CURRENT OFFERS PAGE FOR DETAILS – CLICK HERE!
The week in Dorset: Two county favourites
named among UK’s top 50 beaches for 2025
Dorset’s shoreline is in the national spotlight once again, and for good reason. The Times and Sunday Times have just published their eagerly awaited 2025 Best Beaches Guide, and out of 756 beaches personally visited by Chief Travel Writer Chris Haslam, only 50 made the final cut. Among this elite list? Two beloved Dorset gems: Hive Beach (above) at Burton Bradstock and Southbourne Beach (below), or “SoBo” as it’s affectionately known by locals.
This is the 17th year Haslam has embarked on his epic coastal tour, clocking up nearly 5,000 miles in a Volkswagen campervan as he circled the British and Northern Irish coastlines. His mission? To find the most beautiful, welcoming and unforgettable stretches of sand – and both of Dorset’s entries were highlighted for very different reasons.
Hive Beach, nestled beneath the honey-hued cliffs of Burton Bradstock, was described as “one of the most soporific beaches in the country”. Haslam paints a picture of total relaxation: lying back on a blanket, eyes closed, listening to “the sigh and hiss of waves breaking on millions of tiny stones” until you drift off. It’s a place to do absolutely nothing, and love every minute of it.
Meanwhile, over in Bournemouth’s quieter eastern stretch, Southbourne Beach continues its upward trajectory after being first featured in the 2024 list. Haslam describes it as “a slice of California in Dorset”, praising its broad sandy expanse, sea views, and wellness-focused beach culture. The beach’s popularity is growing, but it still retains its local charm and sense of discovery.
We can take you to both of these breathtaking beaches – and so many more hidden treasures – on our daily chauffeured excursions. Whether you’d like to dine at one of the region’s top restaurants or opt for one of Laura’s signature gourmet picnics, Nathan will set it all up with elegance and charm, complete with table and chairs, in some of the loveliest spots Dorset has to offer!
CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE ALL OF OUR EXCURSIONS!
Featured excursion: Mapperton House & Gardens
Join us for romance, history and horticultural wonder in the heart of Dorset!
Tucked into a hidden valley in West Dorset, Mapperton House is one of those rare places that feels untouched by time. Home to the Earl and Countess of Sandwich, this magnificent Jacobean manor and its surrounding gardens offer a captivating blend of history, architecture and extraordinary natural beauty.
Mapperton’s story stretches back nearly 1,000 years (it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086). But it’s the harmony between the house and its celebrated gardens that truly steals the show. The manor, voted the Nation’s Finest Manor House by Country Life and famously featured in the film Far from the Madding Crowd, stands proudly above an extraordinary Italianate garden that seems to spill down the slope in graceful tiers.
Expect topiary and tranquil fountains, mossy statues tucked amongst herbaceous borders, and a dramatic Orangery overlooking the valley. Beyond lie the informal lower gardens with their rare trees, spring blooms and woodland charm. In 2020, Mapperton was crowned ‘Garden of the Year’ by Historic Houses – and it takes just one visit to see why.
Guests of English Cottage Vacation not only enjoy a personalised visit here, but a touch of luxury to go with it. Picture yourself wandering through rose-scented pathways before sitting down to a beautifully laid-out gourmet picnic prepared by Laura and elegantly set up by Nathan, complete with table, chairs and every thoughtful touch.
Mapperton is a highlight of our Gardens of England Week and is just one of many unforgettable garden destinations we explore during this carefully curated journey. From Capability Brown landscapes to secret cottage gardens and sweeping arboretums, it’s an itinerary made for those who love beauty, heritage, and the calming rhythm of nature.
VIEW OUR GARDENS OF ENGLAND ITINERARY – CLICK HERE!
Local area focus: Thatched beauty all around
Step outside Well Cottage and you’ll find yourself in a postcard-perfect corner of Dorset, where chocolate-box cottages, rosy gardens, and golden thatched roofs are part of the everyday view.
This week, we’re shining a light on some of the loveliest thatched homes and buildings in the immediate area – each one a masterpiece of traditional English craftsmanship.
Discover the timeless beauty that makes this part of Dorset so utterly enchanting, then book your stay with us and see it all in person!
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR COTTAGE JOURNEY!
Did you know: King Arthur’s greatest battle may
have been fought just 10 miles from Well Cottage?
Just ten miles from Well Cottage lies Badbury Rings, a spectacular Iron Age hill fort rising above the Dorset countryside. Peaceful and windswept today, it’s hard to imagine this ancient earthwork once echoed with the clash of swords and the cries of battle – but legend tells a very different story.
Many believe this was the site of the Battle of Badon, one of the most pivotal and mysterious conflicts in early British history. According to some accounts, this was where King Arthur himself struck down 160 Saxon warriors in a single day, turning the tide of war and securing his claim to the crown.
Though historians continue to debate its exact location, Badbury Rings has long been considered a likely contender. And with its strategic vantage point, ancient ramparts and rich archaeological finds, it’s not hard to see why.
Whether you’re a romantic at heart or a student of history, walking the ridges of Badbury Rings is to step into a place where myth and history blur, and the story of Britain’s legendary king may just lie beneath your feet.
Let us take you there on one of our tailored excursions – and walk in the footsteps of kings and warriors!
Laura’s letting you in on
her cottage kitchen secrets!
From leisurely breakfasts to celebratory feasts, Laura’s most-loved dishes have long been the heart of every stay. Now, her complete recipe collection is available to download and enjoy in your own home!
With over 80 beautifully curated recipes – each one steeped in Dorset charm – this delightful cookbook invites you to recreate the flavours, warmth, and stories of English Cottage Vacation wherever you are.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a weekend dabbler, you’ll find simple pleasures, showstopping favourites, and lashings of delicious surprises tucked inside.
Just £30 – and perfect as a gift or treat for yourself!
P.S. Keep an eye out for next week’s newsletter… Laura will be sharing a scrumptious recipe that’s one of her personal favourites!
DOWNLOAD LAURA’S RECIPE BOOK NOW!
Simply stay subscribed and you could
be our next picnic basket winner!
This month, yet another newsletter subscriber will be treated to a classic English picnic basket! This gorgeous prize is handwoven from steamed willow, trimmed with leather, and thoughtfully stocked with all the essentials – from fine china and wine glasses to a cosy tartan blanket.
It’s everything you need for a romantic ramble or a sun-dappled lunch beneath the trees.
Want to spread the joy? Share this free sign-up link with friends and family – anyone who subscribes will be entered too. CLICK HERE!
Essential information:
Where peace of mind begins
Aerial photo of Corfe Castle in Dorset
Planning your stay with English Cottage Vacation is never something you have to figure out on your own. We’re here to make every step feel as effortless as your time at Well Cottage.
The quick links below offer instant answers to common questions – but remember, we’re always just a message or call away if you’d prefer to talk things through:
Your Tailor-Made Itinerary, Discovery Process
