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Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside

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Snail's Place
the cosy living room
the inglenook fireplace
the dining area
double bedded room (1)

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Garden
  • Internet
  • Living area

Explore the area

View in a map
Winfrith Newburgh, ENG
  • Place, Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lulworth Cove
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Durdle Door
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside

Nestling in the rolling South Dorset Downs and within the natural beauty of Hardy country, Winfrith Newburgh is a quiet conservation village complete with medieval church and manor house, and is only 3 miles from the 'Jurassic Coast' - designated as England's first natural World Heritage Site - with its spectacular scenic wonders of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. They are a short five minute drive away, or even within walking distance for the more adventurous. To the North lie the famous cottage and birthplace of novelist Thomas Hardy at Higher Bockhampton, 18th century Milton Abbey, and Milton Abbas. Other places of interest include Abbotsbury Swannery, the magnificent Maiden Castle just outside Dorchester, one of the largest collections of army fighting vehicles in the world at Bovington Tank Museum, Monkey World, Corfe Castle, and the natural wonder of the Blue Pool near Wareham.
Small well behaved pets allowed, charges apply.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

Dorchester

Located in Dorchester, this cottage is in a rural area and near the beach. Corfe Castle is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Monkey World Ape Rescue Center and Fantasy Island Fun Park are also worth visiting.
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Map
Winfrith Newburgh, ENG

What's nearby

  • Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Lulworth Cove - 8 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Durdle Door - 15 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Poole Harbour - 47 min drive - 37.9 km
  • Bournemouth Beach - 61 min drive - 44.9 km

Getting around

  • Wool Station - 6 min drive
  • Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hurricane Terrace & Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪treetops cafe - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Black Dog - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Castle Inn - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Smugglers Inn - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside?

As of 9 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside on 8 May 2026 start from £137, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cosy thatched cottage minutes from the sea, nestled in gentle rural countryside located?

Situated near the beach, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Durdle Door Beach, Durdle Door and Man Of War. Dorset and East Devon Coast and Weymouth Bay are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jasmin A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage was in great condition, beautifully kept, and had everything we needed for our stay. We enjoyed sitting by the fire in the evenings, and the whole place was warm and cosy. The check-in process was very simple and parking was easy. Superb location too.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
As described on the website: clean, comfortable, well-located for our needs.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Debbie B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely little cottage for a weekend stay

Great weekend in this little cottage. Perfect location for visiting the local area
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kim J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely cottage in fantastic location. Loved everything about it except that only 2 people can really sit/chill comfortably in the living room. Bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen - superb. We had a fab time.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ginger F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dorset trip

Our place was quaint and adorable. We had the true England cottage experience! It was small but we had everything we needed and we enjoyed seeing this part of England. Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door areas were breathtaking.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Chris N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location

Fell in love with Winfrith and the cottage had such charm. Managed to bump my head a few times on the low ceiling and my handicapped son struggled a bit with the stairs but, overall, a gorgeous place to stay
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Glynis C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightful Snails Place Cottage

Tiny cottage. Don't bring large luggage. Managed to park outside the door each time we left. Handy village shop a short walk away. Coast bus route goes by the door. A lovely location.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Liz W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Getaway

Comfortable, well appointed cottage in close proximity to Lulworth and Durdle Door. Re contents, the knives really need sharpening, and one spare loo roll would have been very welcome. Otherwise everything was lovely.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jan L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Snail’s Place

Just used as a base whilst visiting family nearby. Pretty property in rural village with stunning scenery on the doorstep. Only one tiny negative - the bathroom sink was blocked with hair. Easily fixed and didn’t take away from the overall stay. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Nicola W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clear instructions from the house keeper as to where to find and access the key. The Keysafe was a struggle, but we managed eventually. Good WiFi, which is needed as there’s no phone signal. Everything you need in the kitchen for a comfortable stay. Only 1 toilet roll was left though so had to buy more from the village shop! It’s an old, traditional cottage, which is lovely. In character of the time period, the ceilings are low (under 6ft) and the stairs are steep. The house has that older smell to it, which reminded me of my younger days visiting my grandparents.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Elaine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Birthday Break

The cottage was smaller than it looked on listing! Lovely area, I would have liked up to date information/leaflets on local attractions and village walks. Paying for a weekend away, I do not expect to put out the rubbish and strip bed linen etc. first time ever!! But we enjoyed our short break, celebrating my birthday.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jun 2022
Dear Elaine, we hope you enjoyed your stay at Snail's Place despite the issues you raised. My wife and I usually pop down to Dorset before the start of the season, and one of the jobs we usually do is the go through all the information sheets and clear out anything which is out of date or no longer relevant. Unfortunately we couldn't make it this year as we have been busy in Italy upgrading our rental property here in Le Marche, Italy - which is also listed on VRBO -property number 8145872 (if you can find it!). We are sorry you took issue with dealing with the rubbish and with stripping the bed linen, but I am afraid we are simply following Covid protocol, and will continue to do so until the Government advise differently. We hope these chores did not spoil your stay too much, and that you might visit Snail's Place again some time in the future. Tim and De Simmons.
Verified

8/10 Good

Hank Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Snails place

A wonderful property that has a convenient bus stop right next door. We stayed here and had no issues getting place to place (in the summer when there are more busses) using public transportation. The downstairs of the home for those of you over 6' tall will feel like Gandalf in Bilbo Baggin's home as the ceilings are only about 6'1" in height. Also if you are physically challenged the stairway to the upstairs can be a bit challenging to navigate. Overall we completely enjoyed the stay and would recommend with the limitations previously called out. Also don't plan on using your cell phone here (No bars with t.mobile) nor high speed internet.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melody L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute cottage, clean, quiet location close to the coast

We had a lovely stay here. Very cute and cosy cottage. The place is kept very clean, not a sign of dust anywhere! I have dust allergies so I was very pleased. Clear instructions for check in and in the cottage. Ground floor does have very low ceiling, not an issue, just mind your heads. Perfect for a quiet place but close to the Jurassic coast.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Brandon F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Cottage

Lovely cottage. Quiet village. Only issue was that someone parked directly in front of the front door, so we couldn’t park there and had difficulty squeezing through to the front door. I suggest putting up a sign asking others not to park there.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Fanny A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very cute

A lot of thoughts has gone into the details to make the property very welcoming: mirrors in the bedrooms, tea towels as well as towels, soaps and washing up liquid provided, wooden logs for the fire, little notice boards to explain everything. The seating downstairs is very confi and the kitchen is very well equipped. The only thing I would say could be improved is the mattresses on the single beds, they are not 100% confi for adults; but it didn't spoil our stay. Thank you for having us.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emily K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect mini break from London

We spent a perfect weekend away from London with our 2 daughters (2 & 4) in this sweet cottage in the most idyllic village. Very comfy and perfect location to explore the beautiful Dorset coast including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Kelly couldn't have been more accommodating and helpful at the last minute! Many thanks and we can't wait to visit next time :)
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend break

This quaint cottage was perfect for our weekend, the purpose of which was a friends wedding nearby. It was well equipped and although we did not have time to explore the local area it is well situated.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hazel O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for a weekend getaway

Had everything we needed and good location
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

andrew c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

very nice cottage

just as described
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mathew B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely location

Perfect launch pad for Dorset coast. The cottage is very cosy, the master bedroom particularly spacious. Some really good pubs within walking distance. Very quiet. Watch out downstairs if you’re tall. Would definitely return though.
Verified

8/10 Good

Sue S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Snails Cottage, Winfrith Newburgh

A really quaint cosy cottage, not for anyone over 5'8" as you will have to contend with beams and doorways. Excellent location for walks to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Excellent bus service to Corfe Castle and Steam Train, then Swannage. Property very clean, has everything you need for your stay. Recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sarah O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

June half term

Beautiful cottage. Central to many places I Dorset! Weymouth lulworth cove
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A lovely cottage in a beautiful part of the country and close to some stunning scenery.

Lovely cottage overall. A few points: Upstairs storage heater did not work no matter what we tried. Single beds are really too small for adults (2'6"). Given external temperature (2-3C at night), you can only reach a decent internal temp (say 20C) with extra heaters.
Response from VrboOwner on 5 May 2021
We’re sorry to hear that David felt let down by the heating at Snail’s Place during his recent visit. We do our best to keep our guests cosy during the winter months. The cottage has two storage heaters installed, which are powered by an off-peak electricity supply, which comes on around midnight and goes off about 08.00. The heaters then discharge a gentle background heat during the day. In addition, there are convector heaters in both bedrooms, and a wall mounted radiant heater in the bathroom. Fan heaters are available for use in the living room, not to mention the supply of logs for an open fire in the inglenook. Much as we would wish to have standard 3ft beds and mattresses in the small twin-bedded room, there simply isn’t enough space, so we had to compromise with slightly less wide 2ft 6in beds and mattresses. Tim and Delia Simmons (owners)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage and open fire

Great stay and two great walks on SW Cpastal Path
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Winfrith Break

The cottage was very cosy but plenty of room. It was well equipped and we did not want for anything. A nice village served by a very good village store. Shame that the weather was not so kind.

About the host

Hosted by Kelly Rose

Host profile image
We first discovered Snail's Place in 1977 when it was a derelict ruin, as you can see from the picture in the front porch. By 1979, this picturesque 17th century thatched cottage (a Grade II listed building) had been completely restored by an Old Buildings Preservation and Restoration Trust, sympathetically blending exposed beams, traditional fixtures and fittings together with modern household facilities. The cottage was our base for many family summer holidays during the early years with our two young daughters. Now they are grown up, we spend more time travelling, often enjoying the delights of Italy, and especially our grand-daughter who lives there, and our restored 200 year old Italian farmhouse Villa Gelsi in Le Marche, which is also available for rental – see www.villagelsi.com.

Why they chose this property

After cancelling a much needed holiday in Corfu with our daughters in 1977 because of illness, we eventually found an alternative escape in Dorset. Staying in a local pub at Lulworth, we fell in love with the area. Returning the following year, we discovered the ruin we had seen the previous year was being lovingly brought back to life. We started chatting to the architect who showed us some of the intricate details of the restoration being undertaken. We became so absorbed in the project that we determined that our wishful thinking had to be transformed into reality. So for us, Snail's Place became a dream come true, a quintessential Grade ll thatched cottage with a rose climbing round the front door. Magic!

What makes this property unique

Snail's Place is an ideal location for those who enjoy the pleasures of walking, with glorious rolling countryside within easy reach. There are a multitude of beaches along the coastline, all ideal for families - from the broad sands at Weymouth to the west to the four-mile stretch of golden, sandy unspoilt beach at Studland to the east. There is no shortage of places to eat - from a host of local, and more distant pubs serving good wholesome food, to smart restaurants for that special night out. You can spend your time immersed in the numerous attractions that are on offer in the area, or enjoy a peaceful picnic in the surrounding countryside. There is so much to see and do, both for the young, and the not so young. And all within easy reach of Snail's Place.

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