Cerne Abbey Cottage

Cerne Abbas sits in the Dorset hills between Dorchester and the coast, known for the chalk giant carved into the slope above the village. Cerne Abbey Cottage occupies one of the abbey's own buildings—a Benedictine foundation from 987 AD—giving the place an unusual historical weight. The grounds are substantial and partly shared; you get a private enclosed garden with seating and a barbecue, and can wander the wider abbey grounds at leisure.

The cottage is compact: a ground-floor open-plan living space with wood-burning stove, dining area and kitchen, plus a first-floor bedroom with a double bed and a bathroom with corner bath and shower. The kitchen has an electric oven and hob, microwave and freezer, so you can cook properly. Wi-Fi, bed linen, electricity and heating come as standard. One car parks on site. The village shop and three pubs are a hundred yards away.

Walking dominates the appeal. The Piddle Valley and villages like Tolpuddle and Puddletown are within reach, and further south lie Dorset's beaches and the Jurassic Coast. One dog travels free; children are not suitable for this property. No smoking indoors.