Welcome to our June 2025 newsletter – week 4!
One lucky subscriber is about to receive a beautifully handcrafted picnic basket – scroll down to see if it’s you!
That’s not all we’ve got in store. We’re also unveiling a brand new way to travel beyond Dorset with tailor-made overnight escapes. Think Devon’s coastlines or Cotswold villages, all planned the English Cottage Vacation way!
Elsewhere in this edition, join us on a visit to the honey-hued cottages of Milton Abbas, meet a woman who changed palaeontology forever, and take a peek at the nettles-and-cider madness that could only happen in Dorset!
And just minutes from Well Cottage? Discover the quiet legacy of Fontmell Magna’s historic mills – and the breathtaking Dorset landmark that National Geographic recently named as one of the world’s 14 best beaches.
Here goes!
Beyond Dorset: All-inclusive,
tailor-made nights away
Craving a little more adventure? For those who’d love to explore further afield, we offer a fully done-for-you add-on package that lets you enjoy a night or two away from Well Cottage – without sacrificing comfort, style or our signature all-inclusive service.
For $500 USD per person, per night, you can extend your English Cottage Vacation to include an overnight stay somewhere truly special. Think a jaunt deeper into the Cotswolds, a getaway to Devon’s dramatic coastline, or a night in one of England’s postcard-perfect villages that’s just a little too far for a day trip.
We’ll take care of everything – from boutique accommodation and private transport to tailored excursions and delicious dining. All you have to do is decide where the road should lead next!
Just let us know your wish list – and we’ll turn it into a seamless, all-inclusive experience you’ll never forget.
Scenes from a storybook stay
Here’s to the quiet moments, joyful gatherings, and memories made in the heart of Dorset! Every stay at Well Cottage is completely unique – and we’re so grateful to those who have shared a little glimpse into their time with us.
This could be you – reach out now!
Dorset’s hidden treasures:
Discover Milton Abbas
If you’ve ever pictured the perfect English village, chances are it looked a lot like Milton Abbas. With its rows of whitewashed thatched cottages, rose-clad gardens, quiet lanes and picture-perfect tea rooms, this Dorset gem feels more like a film set than a real place – and yet it’s as authentic as they come.
Located in a wooded valley between Blandford Forum and Dorchester, Milton Abbas is no ordinary village. It was purpose-built in the 18th century, designed by the famed landscape gardener Capability Brown and architect Sir William Chambers. Their vision? A harmonious, almost theatrical arrangement of cottages and sweeping views. All of this was created at the behest of the 1st Earl of Dorchester, who found the old medieval village a little too noisy for his tastes.
Today, strolling along “The Street” feels like stepping back in time. The neat row of 36 identical cottages – originally built to house two families each – still carries the names of former residents: the baker, the blacksmith, the cobbler. It’s a slow, scenic wander, perfect for photographers and history lovers alike.
And of course, this wouldn’t be an English Cottage Vacation excursion without all the special touches. Nathan will chauffeur you in executive comfort through the Dorset countryside, sharing the stories and scenery along the way. If you fancy, he’ll even set up one of Laura’s gourmet picnic baskets, complete with beautifully dressed table and chairs, in one of the prettiest spots in the valley – a truly elegant way to lunch among the trees and thatch.
There’s also the chance to stretch your legs with a gentle countryside walk – or simply sit down with a cup of tea and soak up the view. However you choose to enjoy it, Milton Abbas offers a day of peace, beauty, and quiet discovery.
Explore all of our extraordinary excursions
NatGeo names Durdle Door
one of the world’s best beaches
The world is finally catching on to what we and our guests have known for years!
Durdle Door, the iconic limestone arch on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, was recently named by National Geographic as one of the 14 Best Beaches in the World.
The global list includes some of the planet’s most extraordinary shorelines, from the Seychelles to the Great Barrier Reef.
Formed over millions of years by the relentless work of wind and sea, the arch and its golden shingle beach are not just beautiful. They are a geological treasure of international significance.
The name Durdle comes from the Old English word thirl, which means to pierce. A quiet tribute to the sea’s patient craftsmanship.
This stretch of the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast features regularly in our guest itineraries and remains a highlight for those who enjoy pairing stunning views with ancient stories. Often with one of Laura’s famous gourmet picnics laid out by Nathan in elegant style with table and chairs!
Standing at the cliff top and looking down the 140 steps to the shore below is an unforgettable experience. It’s no wonder that it has been named one of the world’s beaches to see in your lifetime. It has long been one of ours!
Local area focus: The mills
of Fontmell Magna
Just a two-minute drive or a one mile stroll from Well Cottage lies the village of Fontmell Magna – a place of deep charm and even deeper history. While today it’s known for its thatched cottages, ancient church and peaceful brook, Fontmell was once a bustling hub of rural industry, thanks to its network of water-powered mills.
The Fontmell Brook, which winds through the village, powered at least three mills as early as 1086, recorded in the Domesday Book. Over the centuries, this number rose to four, with millers playing a vital role in sustaining the local economy and population.
One of the best-preserved is Piper’s Mill, a handsome two-storey corn mill built in the late 18th century. Though its water wheel has long vanished, much of the internal machinery remains intact. With its ashlar stone walls and elegant tiled roof, Piper’s Mill stands as a quiet testament to centuries of agricultural life.
Further out, Woodbridge Mill, dating to the early 19th century, is in the countryside to the northwest. It holds listed status with Historic England and features in the Mills Archive for its architectural and historical significance.
Perhaps the most versatile of them all is Springhead Mill. Originally a working corn mill, it has since evolved into a centre for creativity and sustainability. Today it is run by the Springhead Trust, whose beautifully restored house and gardens support arts events, nature-based education, and organic growing.
For those with an interest in heritage and hidden histories, Fontmell Magna offers a window into the rhythms of rural life as it once was, and into the quiet legacy of the mills that helped shape it.
The week in Dorset: Nettle-nibbling and
no regrets (until the next day, perhaps!)
Only in Dorset could a quaint country pub, a bushel of stinging nettles, and a generous splash of cider come together to create one of the quirkiest contests in the English calendar.
Last weekend, the Stinging Nettle Eating World Championship made its long-awaited return to the Bottle Inn in Marshwood, following a six-year pause. First held in 1986, the event nearly faded into folklore when the pub closed in 2019, but was temporarily kept alive by Dorset Nectar Cider Farm. Thanks to the dedicated new owners of the Bottle Inn, this wonderfully weird tradition is now back where it belongs.
The rules are simple (if slightly unhinged): competitors are handed 2ft-long stalks of fresh nettles, which they must strip leaf by stinging leaf over the course of an hour. This year’s champions managed to eat over 70 feet of nettles – a feat of endurance, if not gastronomy.
The leafy showdown drew hundreds of spectators, with Morris dancers jingling cheerfully in the background as the brave contestants munched their way to victory – washing it all down with cider, naturally.
It’s bizarre. It’s brilliant. It’s Dorset.
Watch the highlights from this year’s stinging spectacle below:
Did You Know? The fossil hunter
who inspired a rhyme (maybe)
Long before the Jurassic Coast became a fossil-hunter’s dream, one remarkable woman was already unearthing its secrets – Mary Anning, born in Lyme Regis in 1799.
As a child, she and her father would collect curiosities along the cliffs. But after his death, Mary turned what had been a hobby into her livelihood – selling fossils to Victorian tourists to support her family. Despite limited formal education, she became one of the most important palaeontologists of her time, discovering the first correctly identified ichthyosaur and several other prehistoric creatures.
She worked in obscurity for much of her life, often denied credit in scientific circles because she was a woman. Yet her keen observations and fossil finds quietly reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life – and eventually earned her a posthumous seat among the greats.
Many believe she even inspired the classic tongue-twister “She sells seashells by the seashore” – though that claim, like many good seaside stories, has never been definitively proven. Still, if you find yourself strolling the beach in Lyme Regis, it’s hard not to imagine her there – eyes scanning the rocks, forever part of the coastline she helped to make famous.
* Curious about the Jurassic Coast? We visit regularly on tailored excursions!
Fancy fossils and fresh sea air? Reach out now!
From Laura’s cottage kitchen to yours
Discover the charm of English Cottage Vacation from your own home with Laura’s instantly downloadable recipe book. It features over 80 of her most popular and well-loved dishes!
From elegant lunches and hearty dinners to traditional bakes and indulgent puddings, each recipe is simple to follow and full of Dorset flavour.
Whether you’ve stayed with us before or are still dreaming of your visit, this beautifully curated collection brings a little slice of Well Cottage into your kitchen – all for just £30.
Perfect for anyone who enjoys thoughtful, home-style cooking with a refined touch!
Celebrating our luxury picnic basket winner!
It’s that time again! We’re thrilled to announce this month’s luxury countryside picnic basket! A beautifully handcrafted willow hamper filled with all the essentials for a dreamy alfresco outing is on its way to one lucky subscriber…
JENNIFER ASHEG
Congratulations – your prize is packed and ready to bring a little English countryside charm to your next outdoor adventure!
Your basket includes:
- Fine china plates and real glassware
- Stainless steel cutlery and linen napkins
- A tartan picnic blanket
Didn’t win this time? No worries – we’re giving away another one next month! Simply stay subscribed to our weekly newsletter and you’re automatically in the draw.
And if you know someone who would love a touch of English charm in their inbox, feel free to forward this email or share the sign-up link – click here! They could also be in to win!
* 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
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
