Portland

This timber lodge stands among tall trees on a secluded plot, offering seclusion without feeling remote. The ground-floor layout suits families or groups who want to move easily between spaces: an open-plan living and dining area with a woodburner, a kitchen equipped for proper cooking, and three bedrooms split between a king with ensuite and two twins. Two full bathrooms mean nobody queues in the morning. Essentials like heating, electricity, bed linen and wifi are covered, and the furnished decking outside looks into the woodland canopy.

Portland itself is built for walking, with coastal paths threading between the cliffs and Channel views. The lodge sits within Sandford Holiday Park, which has an indoor heated swimming pool (13m by 6m, open during daylight hours) shared among guests on-site, plus a jacuzzi section and changing facilities. You get parking for two cars and a private garden to retreat to. One well-behaved dog can come along. The island's pubs and cafes are within easy reach, but the trees around the lodge make it easy to spend a quiet afternoon doing nothing much at all. Check-in is after 4pm, checkout before 10am.