524 Pamphill Green Cottage

Wimborne, Dorset

Walkers and outdoor enthusiasts will love this rustic little retreat, perched in open countryside in rural Dorset. Sitting prettily on the Kingston Lacy estate there’s the whole estate to wander as well as glorious walks from the door, so it’s a great spot if you can’t wait to get your walking boots on.

Cosy is the key word for this little cottage, and so once you’ve finished admiring the thatched roof and stepped inside, you’ll feel the charming interiors start to work their magic too. Downstairs, there’s the snug wooden beamed living room, with squishy sofa and a woodburner to warm up cold toes after a day outdoors. The wooden kitchen has a character-packed Victorian quarry tiled floor with wonderful countryside views, and there’s also a separate dining room. Upstairs, the charm continues with gently sloping ceilings, exposed beams and wooden floors. The two bedrooms and bathroom all have a wonderful sense of history and warmth. Outside, you’ll find a lawn at the front of the cottage and an informal garden at the back, complete with table and chairs for alfresco country lunches.

If you can bear to leave your bolthole, you’ll find the whole of the Kingston Lacy estate on your doorstep. There’s plenty to see indoors and out. The family home, re-imagined as a Venetian palace, holds a treasure trove of art and exotic items and the largest private collection of Egyptian artefacts in the UK. And the gardens are also pretty special, so don’t miss the Japanese Garden or a wander through the Kitchen Garden (Queen Victoria once sent her gardeners for inspiration). The wonderful independent Pamphill Dairy is also worth a stop for a fabulous cream tea or picking up some local meat.

Less than 5 miles from the cottage, you can explore Badbury Rings Iron Age hill fort, Holt Heath National Nature Reserve with its wonderful reptiles and butterflies, and Abbott Street Copse with its spectacular bluebell displays. Or head along the River Stour for pretty walks right from the cottage door. For those wanting a refreshing drink, you’ll find the Vine Inn just down the road, or pop into the historic town of Wimborne, where you’ll find independent shops, cafes and restaurants. The bright lights and seasides of both Poole and Bournemouth are also less than 13 miles away if you fancy a trip to the coast.