Tudor Rose Cottage

Tudor Rose Cottage is as pretty as it sounds. Tucked down a lane in the north Dorset village of Stourpaine, it’s a neat 17th-century cottage with a thatched roof and roses climbing up its whitewashed walls. Head outside and it’s a short stroll to a traditional country pub. In another direction, you soon find yourself by the meandering River Stour or atop the National Trust’s Hod Hill, with its far-reaching views of the Dorset countryside. For a couple who like walking, this is an ideal place to stay – and yes, your dog is welcome too.

He or she can curl up by the fireplace while you get to know your home from home. Everything feels in keeping with the cottage but that’s an illusion achieved through an eclectic mix of old and new. Original features and antique pieces sit alongside the rustic, the sumptuous and the modern. What looks like a log-burning stove in the living room is actually electric. The kitchen may have a pleasingly rustic butler sink and scaffold-board shelves but it’s also incredibly well equipped with good appliances, including a Nespresso machine. The overall result is that you can appreciate the age of the place while sitting on deeply cushioned sofas, sinking into a roll-top bath or while drifting off to sleep in a comfortable king-size bed.

These may all sound like grown-up pleasures and that’s because they are. The cottage is designed with couples in mind – though, for them, it’s generously roomy. Downstairs there are separate living and dining spaces as well as a kitchen, bathroom and a south-facing courtyard garden. Upstairs, the comfortable master bedroom is complemented by a single one with a bed and desk next door which can be used as a day room and remote working space – or for a partner who snores!

It’s worth mentioning that with those bedrooms up a steep original staircase and a bathroom on the ground floor, Tudor Rose Cottage is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. It’s the kind of place that will suit active couples who want somewhere to cosy up after long walks or days out exploring Dorset.

Stourpaine sits 10 miles south of Shaftesbury and less than four from Blandford Forum. Slap bang in the heart of Blackmoor Vale, it’s sandwiched between the stunning Dorset AONB and Cranborne Chase. Directly from the cottage door, the tranquil lane leads straight to the North Dorset Trailway, a 14-mile path made up of sections of the old Dorset and Somerset railway line. It’s mostly flat and easily accessed by walkers, cyclists, runners, riders and even those on mobility scooters. Enjoy lovely views of the meandering River Stour soundtracked by the abundant wildlife, before stopping for a coffee and a cake at the old railway station at Shillingstone or a pint at The Fiddleford Inn. The Jurassic Coast is a 40-minute drive south, with Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Poole and Sandbanks all worthy destinations.