Short House Chesil Beach

Far from the Madding Crowd; Short House is a delightful seaside cottage on Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

Short House, Chesil Beach is a Purbeck stone and pink rendered cottage, part of the Long House small private country estate, with a 200 metre frontage on to Chesil Beach, in the centre of Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Surrounded by National Trust farmland Short House is a haven of tranquility, with spectacular ocean views and a large open plan living/dining/kitchen space with a high ceiling, two double bedrooms, two stone bathrooms, a lovely garden and private access on to Chesil Beach (just 400 metres across the field in front of the house).

Formerly a barn, Short House has recently been completely restored and re-fitted and is now filled with light and colour, both bedrooms with sea views, and two ensuite limestone tiled bathrooms with roll top baths, one with a drench shower, the other with a view of the sea from the bath. Central heating and double glazing keep the house cosy during winter months. The alfresco dining terrace and garden are the places to be in summer, with loungers and barbecue with those terrific sea views.

Following the extensive re-fit, it has an impressive range of facilities: a new fully-equipped kitchen with double sink, hob, oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and a washer/dryer, oak floors, dimmable LED lighting, large TV, DVD player (and an eclectic selection of DVDs), Bose Sound Dock and very comfortable furniture (the sofa with proper squashy cushions), nice cotton linen, feather & down pillows and duvets, making this the perfect place for an English seaside holiday or a weekend getaway in one of the most beautiful parts of England.

Guests have direct private access across the front field leading 400m down to Chesil Beach (beach towels provided) and miles of beautiful coast and country walks.  The private tennis court is freely available to guests, (rackets and balls provided) and, if you want to bring your horse(s) on holiday and enjoy fantastic riding along the coast, stables and grazing are also available. Dogs are also welcome; they love it here, as do people!

Short House is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 3/4 of a mile east of the village of West Bexington.  The peace and solitude of such a stunning location and the sound of the waves on Chesil Beach make it a very special place and, being an area of very low ambient light, on clear nights it is a great location for stargazing. There are spectacular views over Lyme Bay, the Dorset and Devon coastline.

Exploring the area that surrounds the house, there are lovely walks in both directions both along the beach and inland.  The beach itself is famous for fishing and birdwatching. Wear's Hill was voted as having the best natural view in England by Country Life Magazine; a 45 minute walk from the house.  Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is a leisurely 30 minute beach walk, where you'll find a colonial-style cafe.  Abbotsbury Swannery, a further 20 minutes' walk, is the only place in the world where you can walk through a colony of nesting Mute Swans. 

Just a 5 minute drive away in Burton Bradstock, Hive Beach has a great cafe and good swimming off a sandy beach. Bridport is a charming market town with a great selection of restaurants, bars, pubs, independent shops and supermarkets. The Saturday street market is very good; lots of local produce and traders.  Catch a performance at Bridport Arts Centre. West Bay Harbour (as featured on TV's 'Broadchurch') is just 15 minutes' drive, with boats to hire, fishing trips and the best fish restaurant in the area - The Riverside. The county town of Dorchester has an Arts Centre and a new Odeon cinema.  There is also a good range of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops around the multi jet fountain in Brewery Square. Weymouth is the home of the Olympic Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.  The water here is unusually calm, making it perfect for water sports. Several golf courses are also within easy reach. 

Short House is in a serene location yet London is just a 3 hour drive away. Exeter International Airport is an hour's drive away.

Things to note

Cots, highchairs and extra bed can be provided, minimum booking is 3 nights except July, August, Christmas, New Year and Easter Week (either Good Friday week or Easter Monday week), house-trained pets are welcome upon prior arrangement.