A Cosy & Stylish Thatched Dorset Retreat for Two

A really special retreat for two in the Dorset countryside. Part of our historic thatched home, Jasmine Cottage has been thoughtfully updated with a bright, contemporary country feel — fresh, spacious and very comfortable, with thoughtful touches to make your stay feel special. Enjoy beautiful walks (or bike rides) from the door, explore nearby Shaftesbury and the Cranborne Chase countryside, or head further afield to Dorset’s villages and coast. A special home from home for you The space Jasmine Cottage is a cosy , self-contained apartment tucked away in one end of our long thatched home, one of the oldest in the village. It sits entirely on the ground floor with its own entrance porch, and courtyard garden offering a private space to reset as the Dorset countryside wakes up for spring. The Living Space The sitting room is designed for slow afternoons, featuring a Laura Ashley sofa, a comfortable armchair, and a window seat for watching the village go by. Please note that as this is a heritage property, the living area has characteristically low ceilings—if you are over 6ft, you may need to mind your head! The kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom are all standard height. For quieter moments, there is a Smart TV tucked away, and a double-sided log burner that opens into both the lounge and the kitchen (in use from October to mid May)—there’s something quite special about cooking in front of the fire on a crisp spring evening. Kitchen & Dining The kitchen is bright and fully equipped with a hob, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and coffee machine. We’ve stocked it with good quality crockery and utensils so you can feel at home immediately. You’ll find a circular dining table tucked under the window with views over the garden. On the wall, we have placed a large Ordnance Survey map centered on the cottage. We’ve marked out our favorite cycling and walking routes that start right from the front door, along with a guide to the best local trips. The Bedroom & En-Suite Opening from the kitchen is the cozy bedroom, featuring a 5ft bed with a fabric headboard and fresh linens. The en-suite is a practical wet room with an open corner shower. You’ll also find space above the airing cupboard to store suitcases and keep your clothes warm. Outside & Extra Touches Guests have exclusive use of a private courtyard garden—a secluded spot with a table, chairs, and two recliners for relaxing after a day of exploring. Optional Extras: The Fire Pit: Located at the far end of our garden, the fire pit can be reserved for a small extra cost. We will set it up with cushions, rugs, and logs so you can enjoy a cozy evening under the stars, subject to the owners being on site - so please do check in very good time. Sandbanks Beach Hut: We also have a family beach hut on the famous Sandbanks beach available to rent by the day—just ask us for details. Guest access Parking is directly outside our house - and the entrance is through our central front gate. Bring your bikes and cycle, walk to neighbouring villages or jump in the car to go a little further afield. The village has really great shop - all the basics, plus local meat, cheese, bread, great wine & even a couple of freezers of 'Cook' meals, so if you fancy a night off from cooking - do! Another night off option is the local pub 'The Talbot' Very much a locals pub with traditional well cooked pub food - we had the burger last week and it was declared 'the best ever'! Other things to note Jasmine Cottage is on the ground floor of our house. It is completely separate and you have your own entrance as well as a private courtyard garden. However, there are rooms above so not totally without awareness of other people being around. It should also be noted that the ceilings in the living room and kitchen are low - it being an old cottage... the bedroom and bathroom have normal height ceilings. We have a double sided log burner for cosy evenings during the cooler months. Please do note that from mid May to mid September it is not in use. We are on the junction of the lower Blandford to Shaftesbury Road. This is the less used road and traffic can only drive slowly through the village because of traffic calming. Our house is on Higher Street so away from the road, however, we do notice the sound of traffic intermittently.