Drive through swaying pampas grass and umbrella pines to this newly-restored Purbeck stone and pink rendered cottage: the deep blue sea shimmers in the distance and a solemn terracotta warrior stands guard. Sheep graze the surrounding National Trust farmland and you’ve only an unspoilt meadow between you and Chesil Beach. Charming owners Andrew and Julie, live in the 18th-century house next door and stock up with wine and local Dorset delights from the farm shop. Find a large, sociable, open plan kitchen dining and sitting room with high ceilings, bright kilims, oak floors and purple doors. Julie’s bold canvasses hang on the walls, there’s plenty of comfortable furniture, piles of books and DVDs, even an excellent Bose sound system. Two double bedrooms have finely dressed beds in feather and down, glorious watery views and smart bathrooms with roll tops and travertine stone walls. Both bedrooms open onto a west-facing terrace overlooking the garden and ocean. You can play tennis, hop on a horse from the riding stables, visit Abbotsbury Gardens or ancient Swannery by foot, or tackle wonderful coastal walks from the door.
Even coasting down the drive to Short House is a treat: striking umbrella pines on either side with pampas grass in between that brush the car with a soothing whisper as you pass... A lovely house to escape to with only the sound of the waves to lull you to sleep. Great open-plan living space, a suntrap terrace and bedrooms with stunning sea views. Only a few hundred yards down the field to dramatic Chesil Beach - perfect for your dog to come along too. Andrew was friendly and has lots of tips about the area - crunch along the shingle for an outstanding fish lunch at The Club House restaurant.