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Marren

Holworth, Dorset
Bed & Breakfast
+44 (0)1305 851503
Visit owner's website

Per night
£100 - £135

2 rooms

Rooms sleep 2

Weymouth Bay and Portland views, the sound of breaking waves… this wild remote place will blow your cobwebs away and restore your psyche

Per night
£100 - £135

Visit the owner's site and book direct with them. No fees or fuss from us.

Use our quick form to drop the owner a line asking anything you need to know.

Ask a question

The Experience

The house is set in four acres of terraced gardens with Italianate overtones, designed by Wendy and featured in Gardeners World. Find strong structured evergreen ‘cloud’ pruned and clipped shrubs, exotic plants, swaying grasses, huge terracotta pots bursting with colour… a complete wildlife sanctuary. Bedrooms always have flowers too; one has a door onto the garden, while from the other you can watch the sun setting over the sea.
A Full English with homemade bread, marmalade and jams and seasonal fruit salad is served in the dining room but if you’re staying in the suite you can have a continental breakfast delivered to your door.

Above the house is an area of woodland awash with wild flowers in spring and summer. There’s a Wendy house here too and it’s a grand spot for an evening drink and to watch the sunset. Join the Coast Path nearby, or a ten-minute walk downhill will take you to a secluded beach for picnics and swimming.

We think you'll love

Wandering around the beautiful garden and finding a quiet spot to sit, perhaps with a book or just to listen to the birds
The outstanding views from just about everywhere
Being able to join the Coast Path, or walk down to the beach for a swim

You should know

The last half mile to the house is a very potholed and bumpy track - not for low slung cars
Dogs are accepted but not allowed in the bedrooms. They must sleep in the boot room
The garden has many different levels and steps

Essentials

EV charger
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Oven
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Spa
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Bar
Barbecue
Licensed premises
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
Microwave oven
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Dishwasher
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price: from £100

2 Doubles: From £100

Information

Booking information

Check in: Flexible
Check out: By 10.45am
Other details: Minimum stay: 2 nights at weekends.
Closed: Rarely.
Meals: Pub 1 mile.

Reviews

Sitting with Wendy and Peter, enjoying their beautiful Italianate gardens and the superb sea views, it felt more South of France than Dorset! This is an isolated spot, but one so worth a visit. Walkers will be in their element as the south coast path so near. The house oozes comfort and informality and Peter cooks a delicious breakfast.

Angie Sawday's Inspector

Michael and Pauline, Lancashire Sep 2023

We enjoyed a very relaxing four days at Marren. Wendy and Peter are perfect hosts, welcoming, friendly and gave us us lots of information on the locality. Delicious breakfast set us up for the day of walks on the coastal path and visits to the nearby beach. The house and garden are both amazing and in a wonderful position overlooking the sea. The approach road is rather bumpy but our Golf managed it without problem. Looking forward to another visit. .

catherine, Corbridge Sep 2019

Marren is a wonderful home, in an amazing setting.. Not only is the garden a delight, but we never tired of looking out at the sea, from our bedroom window. A thoroughly lovely place to stay.

David, Woodbridge, Suffolk May 2019

Our second visit in successive years. Wonderful setting, fabulous gardens and distant views towards Portland. Delightful short walk via a meandering path down to Ringstead Bay, usually quite deserted at the eastern end. The house is elegant , the furnishings comforting, the leisurely breakfasts start the day superbly and Wendy and Peter are welcoming and friendly hosts who readily provide advice about walks in the neighbourhood and places to eat in the evenings (we recommend the Wise Man and the Sailors Return) A lovely peaceful place where we always sleep soundly and wake refreshed.

Claire, London May 2019

Marren is like a secret slice of heaven. Wendy really looked after me, was helpful with maps and restaurant advice but never intrusive. I had the lovely large garden room and it was a joy to wander around the never ending garden. It feels remote in the best possible way, but only a short drive to all the things to see in the area and places to eat. I walked to Lulworth and back, incredible, bracing and well worth the slog! It's perfect.

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Location

The neighbourhood

You're surrounded by National Trust land and 5 minutes from the Coast Path. Lulworth Cove is two hours walk by way of Bat's Head and Durdle Door and there are two good pubs for stops. The only sound is of the waves breaking, the occasional buzzard calling and the wind in the trees. It's within easy driving distance of the Jurassic Coast for beaches with fossils, formal gardens and country houses.

Local points of interest from Peter Cartwright

On the Dorset Coast Path overlooking Portland and Weymouth Bay.
2 hours walk from Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
7 minutes walk from a safe and secluded beach.
Close to a range of excellent restaurants in Weymouth and Dorchester.

Introducing

Peter Cartwright

Wendy is a garden designer and a passionate gardener. Peter is retired and his hobby is print making and painting. They're busy with family and grandchildren and they like to share Marren's unique views and ambience with like-minded people, who are looking for peace and quiet and a touch of wildness.