Woodlands Cottage

we loved the piece and quiet and woodland walk will book again soon.

We had a lovely week staying at Woodlands.

The property was well equipped had everything we needed. The owners have put in a new oven so no issues with temperatures. The property was very close to the coastal path and we enjoyed long walks with our Border Collie. We are all missing the quietness and lovely scenery. We were lucky to see three deer on one day. Would highly recommend.

A lovely comfortable bungalow in an ideal position for dog walking with a perfectly safe garden.

Will hope to return.

A lovely comfortable and clean cottage.

Very spacious inside with a large and nicely maintained enclosed garden. Woodlands Cottage, Ringstead is in a beautiful off the beaten track location. This is the second time we have visited and would highly recommend.

This was a return visit as we loved the tranquilty of the spot, however this year there was a camping site set up passed the property, and traffic was continuous from 7am until midnight over the weekend we stayed.

There were also people walking passed all day,which was disruptive to the break we badly needed. This calmed down slightly from the Tuesday but still spoilt the relaxation we were looking for.

the cottage is situated in a great place and the grandchildren loved it.

However ,the kitchen was a let down. i noted that previous holidaymakers had mentioned that the oven dials had faded away, leaving a guessing game on how to set the oven, grill etc. also the cleanliness of the internal oven and trays meant that we ate out more than we anticipated. it would have been nice to have a guest comment book, we have always found that recommendations for days out and eateries from past guests useful . It could be a fantastic place with a few extra homely touches.

The cottage is in a fabulous setting - close to the sea and next to a wood with birdsong and other wildlife.

It is well-appointed for holiday-makers with attractive furnishings and modern appliances. The owner was responsive to a minor concern about a key and keen to hear that we were enjoying our stay.

In comparison to other sites seems dated.

Hearth was dirty/dusty, doors were dusty on mouldings, inside of windows were dirty. Having said that it’s in a great location, peaceful and private. Lovely walks with easy access to the cafe and beach and surrounding sites. Garden is a great space for pets and children. Shower was very small so anyone of B-road shoulders may struggle.

We had a great time last week at the woodlands cottage Ringstead Dorset the property was very clean and well equipped with a marvellous south faceing rear garden ideal for eating outside at the table and the dogs to run around freely.

I would recommend the cottage as a great place for a family break its a super location only a short walk to the beach and the Reef Cafe and easy to drive to the many local places of interest. For the waste disposal method I would recomend the cottage has a bit of paper on hand to start the foodwaste tub for new arrivals.

A great location to explore the Dorset coast.

The bungalow is quite basic, but it has an enclosed, well-maintained garden that was ideal for my lively cocker spaniel to explore. The beach is only a pleasant 10-minute walk from the property and is worth visiting, and there is a lovely cafe near by. We had a relaxing week and would recommend this holiday property.

Had a very enjoyable stay at woodlands,fantastic scenery and garden was amazing ,our 4 legged friend lived his best life.

bungalow was very spacious with all mod cons ,bathrooms were new and rest of house very roomy and clean.had everything you needed for a large family stay.

Lovely clean, comfortable cottage in a good location.

Nice walks down to the coast through the woods.

This is a great house, in a lovely location.

Was clean and cosy on arrival. Good quality bedding and towels. N.B. duvet and pillows in double room were down rather than hollow fibre. Which was fine for us, but maybe if you are vegan bring your own. A lot of consideration appears to have been given to providing maximum "choices" to different parties of guests. Examples of this include: A choice of bathroom and shower room. Assorted seating in the lounge (My husband and I never find the same seats comfortable, but each found one we liked there as did our other guest). A tensor barrier to section off the kitchen dining area from the lounge area, if required, for pets or young children. A whole empty cupboard and drawer in the kitchen for your groceries. Plenty of storage room for clothes and luggage in the bedrooms. The adjacent wooded area has been carefully thinned out, so as to allow dappled and full shade in different areas of the garden. (The patio was sunny most of the day). Full sized fridge freezer for whatever you might want to cook. Information left on how to adjust/override the heating/hot water and have the water softener on or off etc Washing line, or tumble drier. There was even a choice of 2 different vacuum cleaners. Only tiny inconvenience we had was that print had been cleaned off of the oven knobs, so we had to consult the manual. (I copied it out a bit bigger and left in the drawer for the next guests). The garden was enclosed with fencing all around. Mostly about a metre high with wire mesh that had about 15cm gaps in it. Our elderly, medium sized, dog didn't manage to escape all week. (But little dogs might wiggle through the gaps and bigger/fitter ones might jump over). Being all on the ground floor means it is good for anyone who finds stairs difficult, or for those with young children. But I wouldn't say it was fully accessible, due to the steps up into the house and the size of the bathrooms. Also none of the bedrooms had much space around the beds for a travel cot, although there would be enough room for one in the inner hallway. Although the roads are single track, they are not too narrow and have plenty of passing spaces. There were more cars than I would have expected going up and down the road that goes to the bay, and a few walkers going along the track past the house most days. (I was pleasantly surprised by this as I don't like to feel "cut-off", but if you are wanting to be totally secluded then you might not like it so much). The sky at night was lovely and dark for stargazing. The short walk to the beach is lovely. Or you can pick up the coastal path and go much further. The cafe at the beach was really nice too. There is no mobile signal within the property, but it comes back if you walk about 50m down the lane. However the WiFi was excellent all week and so we were able to keep in touch with family via WhatsApp. Is rare that we both agree that we would like to return to a holiday cottage but we did on this one. I hope it is still available next time we visit the area.

Just had a week at Woodlands.

Stayed here several times now, lovely peaceful location, comfortable bungalow. The bathrooms have recently been refurbished, very nice. The Lounge area now requires refurbishment, new carpet and furniture as these are now quite worn and the sofa is uncomfortable. The oven and hob need replacing, cannot read the temp setting of the oven and the hob rings are a hit and miss. Will be back again next year.

We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday at Woodlands.

There were a couple of problems, ie water leaking through the bathroom ceiling, and central heating failure. However these were quickly dealt with by the owner. As there was no mobile signal in the area, we were very concerned when we realised the landline for emergency use only was not working. We consider this to be a health and safety issue. However, it was a lovely property and we would very much like to return.

The cottage was quite comfortable and in a beautiful setting, very good for walks and sightseeing.

Fully Equipt for your needs. I myself have mobility issues and although the cottage was very good for me being all one level, It could be made easier with a hand rail Outside and Inside on the Front and Back Doors as the steps are quite steep for my problem, so maybe for others aswell, also one in the shower would be a great help.

Lovely bungalow with cool shady garden for the dogs and nice walks all around.

We enjoyed our holiday and would go again thank you

Fantastic location.

Property tired in various areas, beds and lounge furniture. Carpets very stained and frayed around doorways. Fridge has rust showing on the door. If the property was given a good upgrade it would be a fantastic holiday home.

Nice quiet location.

Comfortable beds & clean linen. Furniture in lounge shabby & needs changing. Sofa uncomfortable. Accommodation states good for the elderly but there is a big step up to the back door which would benefit from some grab handles . All in all quite a pleasant stay Washing line would be handy

We have stayed here a few times and have always had a lovely stay.

It is in a beautiful location with complete peace and quiet. Not sure how this will be affected once the development of the bunker is complete and let out, having the potential for 6 guests. Privacy has been maintained.

We have been coming to Woodlands for a few years now, but were very disappointed to see how much garden we have lost due to the renovation of the former WW2 bunker in the garden.

The current listing still shows the large garden as it was previously. The washing line had also gone which left the tumble dryer as the only source of drying clothes. A pleasant stay otherwise, but not sure what impact the bunker will have on the current quiet surroundings once it's let out.

Very comfortable, excellent standard of furniture, and a great situation.

The garden area and potential privacy is much reduced by the new building development, however. We could find no kitchen knives, and were unable to open most of the windows (they have been recently painted in place!). The dials on the oven controls are no longer legible, so cooking involved some guesswork... But these are all relatively minor points.

The bathrooms have been beautifully redone, but now there is no mirror in the shower room which is inconvenient.

The hooks on one of the twin bedrooms door are broken so you can't hang anything on them. The rotary drier in the garden seems to be broken as is very low, you couldn't hang long garments on it. Overall though, it's an idyllic place to stay, very quiet but not far from town, and a great space for our two energetic labradors.

We have stayed at Woodlands Cottage for many years.

The location of Woodlands is perfect. You simple step out the gate and can walk to your hearts desire. Over the past year the owner has upgraded the Bathroom and Shower Room which now look sleek and modern. The garden has loads of room and plenty to explore for the ever curious dogs, this stay at Woodlands has proven very special with lots of memories made. Sadly two weeks after returning home our beautiful boy, Benji Boo made his final trip over the Rainbow Bridge. We will be forever grateful that we could spend such precious time within this magical setting with Benji. (Cocker Spaniel). Benji Boo 2008 - 2023. Until we meet again.

The new bathroom and shower are fantastic.

Just the shower knob that you had to lift in the bathroom was very stiff. The markings around the knobs on the oven were almost invisible and this made us burn our food. The heating was very good. The gate was much easier to open than last year. Not all the instructions for the appliances were there. In the black ring binder it is not clear who to contact with any issues. When the cafetiere cracked I tried to contact the caretaker from the cottage but could not get through then I texted but did not get a reply. Then I looked further into the ring binder and saw that it said if there were any issues to contact dream cottages. From the landline phone is it possible to not only call 999 but to contact Dream cottages as there is no mobile signal from the cottage.

We just arrived home from a lovely time at Woodlands, idyllic surroundings.

Our little dog loved the walks through the woods down to the little beach several times a day. We even spotted deer on two occasions. We would certainly like to return next year. Can highly recommend Thankyou to the owners its wonderful.

Once again we have had a lovely break at Woodland Cottage.

The upgrade of the bathroom and shower room are excellent. Going forward we are aware that Mr Russell has permission for converting the wartime bunker into a holiday let. This will affect the privacy and quiet of Woodland Cottage. What I feel is that any potential future holiday tenants of Woodland Cottage need to know what exactly will happen,how it will affect Woodland Cottage and the garden and what is the time scale. Let me stress that what ever Mr Russell wishes to do is fine , but future visitors to Woodland Cottage should be made aware of the facts.This does include us looking for a break next Spring and maybe later this year other thing permitting. Kind regards, JIm Penfold

Just love this cottage and the location, so perfect for us and our two dogs .

Our second visit to Woodlands, we love it’s peace, the beautiful views from the cottage, the wildlife and the walks . It has a large garden for the dogs and freedom to walk off lead from the cottage for miles. The cottage itself is comfortable , I think it would benefit from wooden / laminate flooring instead of cream carpets for dog owners , but we blocked off the kitchen to living room area with our dog crates and only let the dogs in the living room once clean . Many deer about , some in large herds , lots of pheasants and birds of prey . Cottage is right on the coastal path which isn’t busy in March when we visit. Lots of lovely seaside towns to visit and local attractions such as Monkey World . The owner is so friendly and helpful and we enjoyed a few lovely chats with him . Logs are provided for the open fire and the central heating is on a timer which you can boost if you are in for the day or the temperature drops. There is quite a large draft from under the sink area which would be worth a look at and probably at some point it would benefit from double glazing to contain the heat, but that is just a very small negative . Since our first visit a year ago both the bathrooms have been updated , one with a super shower

Woodland cottage is a beautiful holiday base set in Ringstead Bay.

It has wonderful views and access to the beach, we were surprised to see Roe deer and Buzzard so close to the cottage. The accommodation was comfortable and surprisingly spacious. Plenty of kitchen equipment was supplied and a bonus having a washing machine and dryer. But what let it down was directions and cleanliness. Perhaps what 3 words or telling people to turn down beach and cafe road would help. The cottage in general was clean but top quilrs on beds were very dirty! The carpet was OK but not the right colour for people walking in and out on. The toilet in the shower room didn't flush well and when we used the hoovers they both smelt awful, probably why we found dog biscuits in room as the smell put you off of using them. Certain rooms seem to have unstable floor boards. Lastly the rubbish, perhaps a photo to show where the collection area is as instructions slightly unclear as to where hurdles were. We did have a lovely time in this cottage and would recommend to others . We would return again.

Mr Russell is a very helpful owner.

He came out to us on our arrival as we did not have enough towels. He supplied extra towels and sorted out the TV for us. The weather during our stay was perfect especially for October so we were able to enjoy the garden etc.

It was great that the taps and the windows had been fixed and the cottage was very clean.

But the boiler didn't work so we had to use the immersion heater and the table and chairs on the patio were very wobbly. But apart from that we had a lovely time.

Woodlands Cottage is in an idyllic setting in the hamlet of Ringstead, set in a large secure garden, perfect for dogs.

There is also access to the large field next door if the cattle are not in residence, where you can also hop over the fence to get down to the beach (there is also a footpath from behind the cottage that leads down to the beach too). When we stayed in early July, the beach was very quiet. Pebbly but perfect for swimming, just remember to pack your beach shoes. The bungalow is mostly comfortable and reasonably well equipped. We did have some cleanliness issues and some things are looking a little tired. The bedrooms are all a reasonable size and having 2 bathrooms is great for 3 couples. The living room furniture differs to that which is shown on Sykes website which caused us an issue. The photos have still not been updated, so if evening comfort is important to you, request to see photos of the latest seating arrangements. Presently, Woodlands is extremely private and peaceful which is why we chose it as our holiday location. There are only two neighbouring properties, well set away from Woodlands on either side, both of which are shielded by the trees. However, note that there is a planning application submitted to convert the old Radar bunker *right* next to the cottage back door and patio into another holiday home. This will inevitably change the privacy, peace and outlook of the cottage having neighbours so close and them overlooking the bungalow and garden. For that reason, if planning is granted, we are sadly unlikely to return to Woodlands.

We have stayed at Woodlands for a number of years now and absolutely love Ringstead.

The situation of the bungalow is perfect for anyone wanting to get away from everything. The bungalow itself is practical and basic but still a lovely place to relax. The walks are straight from the bungalows gate into a forest or down to the sea path. The dogs love the garden and adventure on the doorstep, don’t worry if you need shopping as Tesco, Sainsburys etc deliver to the door.

Grounds are lovely.

Plenty of space. It has brilliant views of the landscape and the cows. Very peaceful. The garden was fairly secure for our large dog although I think if he was desperate to escape he could have managed as the fence is wire and bushes, we were generally with him outside. Could probably do with some sun loungers for the garden. The house was fine for a few days or a week but a cream carpet in the lounge was on the stressful side when you have a dog. The area is very hilly. You can access the beach via a gate at the back of the garden through forest paths but you have to be able-bodied and not mind some steep bits. You can also walk via the roads-The beach is pebble and on a slope. Would recommend arriving in daylight as it was difficult to find in the dark- recommend owners use 'what3words' to help locate.

Carpets were badly stained.

Lack of crockery and cooking equipment Sad to see a planning application to convert WWII bunker to 3 bed hol8day right within grounds of property. This will greatly impede the isolation and solitude of the proprty this being the main reason for choosing Woodlands. We have been coming there since 2014 but sadly will not return if building goes ahead

We and the dogs had an amazing, relaxing time.

The setting was so beautiful and the bungalow was warm and clean. As mentioned by a previous guest the cream carpet probably isn't the best colour for dog friendly accommodation especially in such a rural setting. The only other mention which is not a complaint would be a clothes airer as it's not always possible to line dry, although there is a tumble dryer it's not something I would choose to use regularly. We are hoping to come again soon.

Really can’t fault this place.

Perfect for walkers and dog owners, close to coastal path and on a footpath. The garden is huge and overlooks the bay . Once you find it , you are 10 minutes from the beach via the woods and probably 20 minutes if you use the beach road . We visited in March and were very lucky with the weather . Lots of wildlife on your doorstep . The cottage isn’t huge but warm and well furnished and a great base . I personally didn’t find the sofas comfortable but I do have problems with my back , the sofas are new and I’m sure will suit many others . Our bed was so comfortable and quality bedding too. We found the cottage very clean , 2 emergency meals left in the freezer and biscuits , milk , coffee and teabags there for our arrival which were much appreciated . It was great for our dogs , they just loved the garden and the lead free walks from the cottage to the beach / coastal path / Osmington and Upton and also the permitted use of fields which weren’t being grazed by livestock. We took our dogs crates and the set up of the lounge and kitchen meant the dogs only had access to the kitchen at all times but could see us in the lounge. WiFi connection is very fast . The water very hot for a bath and decent shower and we used the logs provided for the open fire every night which made for cosy nights in . The security of the garden was compromised by fallen trees onto the fence , following recent storms , it didn’t cause a problem with our dogs and I’m sure the fence will be repaired soon . Just loved the place , it’s location , it’s wildlife and it peace. We hope to return for 2 weeks next year . Thank you

The bungelow is in a great situation and as a dog owner it couldnt have been better.

It had a large secure garden and woodland walks from the door. Its a short 10 minuet walk through the woods to the pebble beach and 5 more to a beach hut selling hot food and beach equipment. The bungelow was a bit shabby in the front room. 2 chair covers are ripped on the arms and there was no support in the chairs or sofa, and the carpet was dirty, it doesnt help that its an offwhite carpet and therefor will show every mark. I would advise to change with a darker colour or lino/laminate especially allowing dogs. In the winter when its wet i would imagine this to be a bigger issue. We had to fix the hoover while we were there as it was blocked and we also could have done with some extra blankets. I know with covid that could be akward at the moment. The beds were very comfortable. Also the logs were abit large for the fireplace and could do with being cut shorter. Having said all that if i was going away with the dogs again i would go back we had a good holiday and the dogs a had a large secure place to run around, an added bonus was the use of the field below the garden!

Woodlands Cottage is in the perfect location for a holiday with children and/or dogs.

The nearest beach at the bottom of the property is rocky but the walk through the woods and across the fields to The Smugglers Inn is a must. Weymouth and Bowleaze are a short drive away. The cottage was comfortable and the kitchen had everything we needed. It was nice to have 2 bathrooms for our party of 6 people. We would recommend this property to anyone wanting peace and quiet in a lovely rural setting. Look out for hares and deer in the field opposite the property!

Unfortunately the tumble dryer was broken for our first week so had to use washing line.

Would be more beneficial to have the washing line in a more open space as washing doesn't dry very well in current location.

The cottage was comfortable and well equipped.

The grounds were superb with amazing views of the sea and surrounding cliffs and woods.

The instructions for the key-safe seemed to be out of date but it was very easy to work out how it did operate.

Fantastic location but unfortunately the furniture in the lounge was dated and extremely uncomfortable torn fabric on armchairs .

Needs seriously updating.

Arrived to a broken kitchen tap (note left by cleaner).

Lever had broken off, owner had been made aware and repairs would not take place until we left 2 weeks later, very poor. My husband was able to tape the lever back in place for the duration of our stay. I just hope it was repaired when we left for the next guests. Sofa and chair covers badly need replacing, torn through wear and tear. Carpet in sitting room needs a good clean, full of stains. Other than that wonderful location, peace and quiet.

This was the best holiday we ever had.

The location, and peace and quiet was wonderful! Watching the cows was the highlight, up and down the hills! Comfortable, walks for my Bella straight from the door. I can’t wait to come back to woodland cottage!! Can’t praise it enough. Love it, love it, ❤️

We had a really lovely holiday in Ringstead Bay, the bungalow is amazingly located with a really big garden for the dogs and kids to play in and a view of the sea in the distance.

Then a short walk through the woods leads you to a beautiful pebble beach, perfect for our family if 6 and 2 dogs! The bungalow was very comfortable, some of the sofas are showing wear and tear but that made us feel more relaxed, nothing is too precious. The dishwasher could maybe do with more salt or it needs replacing because it left a residue on the dishes. We loved staying here and would love to come back!

The bungalow and location were brilliant.

We were there at a very wet and muddy time with 2 dogs so we adjusted the furniture to block off the sitting room to keep carpets clean and dogs off furniture overnight!

Fabulous for the dogs.

Open the gate and the woods are there, no need for leads. A few varying walks, one to the beach. Beautiful garden, lovely for my elderly mum to sit on the patio to look at. We blocked the dogs from kitchen to living room as we were worried about carpet. The kitchen/diner is large so they were happy. Very peaceful holiday in lovely surroundings.

Really lovely place very peaceful and lots of wildlife Short walk to the beach for lovely photos and a picnic.

Would definitely stay here again

This place was like a tardis, surprisingly bigger on the inside than it looked.

The setting is amazing, and if you get your online shopping delivery right, you would not need to use your car at all once you were installed, which in Covid times was absolutely perfect. So many gorgeous walks immediately you set foot outside of the cottage, lovely big garden for the children to play In, beach was either 10-15 minutes walk down the lane, or even better 15-20 minutes walk through the fabulous woods adjacent to cottage. Emphasis Inside was on comfort, not luxury, great beds, Plenty of comfy sofas, new curtains throughout, loved the little touches like waste bins and door hooks, and more than adequate wardrobe and chest of drawers in each room. Well equipped. Only downside was that whilst I am sure that things like light switches, handles etc had been wiped down for covid, this might have been at the expense of some basic cleaning, e.g. carpet was covered in dog hair, some surfaces had a layer of dust on. However, this would not stop us booking this lovely cottage again which we hope to do. Booking process all straightforward.

Our stay was as welcoming as all previous years except that we now have to carry all our rubbish 200m up hill to the collection point which we've never had to do before.

Also disappointed to find that the hook behind the shower room door is still broken and unusable from last year. We also had a problem with a broken cooker but this was sorted within a few hours.

The cottage was in a lovely setting, very quiet and a short distance to the small bay.

stones on the top section little sandy section when the tide went out. Car park nearby if you don’t want to walk a few yards down the road. Nice beach shop with a good variety of food. Gifts and toys etc.

We had a fantastic time.

Thank you!

A lovely cottage in a gloriously peaceful spot but still close to a dog friendly beach.

Easy to reach adjoining places and explore more of lovely Dorset. Let down by a couple of small things. The curtains in the lounge were a little threadbare and need replacing and the windows didn't appear to have been cleaned for a very long time. My husband had a go but didn't have much success. The TV is quite old and has no recordable box which is good to have to catch-up on programmes after a long day out in the Dorset sunshine. We have been to Woodlands before and no doubt will go there again - it just needs a few little "tweeks"

The bungalow meet all our expectations and needs. So close to the sea and was a brilliant base for our holiday. Stayed July 2015

Lovely cottage, exactly how it is described on the Internet. Stayed August 2015

This is the Second time we have stayed at woodlands and hope to return next year. We enjoy the secluded location and the walk through the woods down to the beach. The property has recently been updated and now has more of a modern twist whilst retaining a cottage feel. The open fire in the lounge is perfect for chilly evenings in the colder months. The fact that the owners allows 4 dogs is an absolute godsend. Our 4 dogs love staying here and love the large fully enclosed garden. So all in all I would like to thank the owners of woodlands cottage for all the effort and hard work they obviously put into this cottage. Stayed November 2015

One of the few places we have found which is very quiet and peaceful with walks straight from the property and a fully enclosed garden. Cottage is very comfortable and very well equipped. Stayed September 2016

We felt that the property was lovely in a wonderful area = stayed October 2016

Really well equipped cottage in an ideal location for Ringstead Bay. I hope to stay there again in the New Year! Stayed November 2016

Woodlands is in a wonderful location it's quiet, pretty and secluded. The property is close to the sea and through the trees you can see the sea, truly beautiful. Woodlands has everything you could wish for, spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms, lovely lounge, nice kitchen come diner with all white goods. Property was lovely and clean (we left it the same, which was a challenge for a 10am check out). Stayed April 2017 Love to go back soon, THANK YOU 5***** Stayed April 2017

Lovely holiday again this year. Looking forward to coming back next year. Stayed August 2017

Loved it completely, we came from portsmouth for a long week-end from Fri-Mon in March 18 fell in love so much, had such a brill time & with our 2 lil doggies, that we booked this time a full week to come back in June so really can't wait.Highly recommend, surroundings are incredible fun beautiful peaceful deers/pheasants/buzzards the beach stunning.Hope anyone else that goes has as much of a fantastic time as we did and we will be again. Enjoy people. Worth every penny.