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Wayside

Stoke Abbot near Beaminster, Dorset (Ref. 1138149)

Customer rating

3.9

How reviews work

A property's star rating is the average of the star ratings received from guests that wish for their review to be published

Dream Cottages rating

  • 3 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

  • Show on map

Features

  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

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26 Customer Review(s)

  • Jane

    “I had a really lovely week at Wayside.”

    I’ll admit I arrived feeling a bit unsure because some of the reviews on here are quite unkind about the maintenance of the cottage. That simply wasn’t my experience. Wayside is exactly what you’d expect from a very old, listed thatched cottage. It doesn’t have modern windows, and cobwebs sometimes appear overnight — that’s just part of the charm of staying somewhere with original features. I found it clean, tidy, and generally well maintained. My dog loved the garden, which was ...

    I’ll admit I arrived feeling a bit unsure because some of the reviews on here are quite unkind about the maintenance of the cottage. That simply wasn’t my experience. Wayside is exactly what you’d expect from a very old, listed thatched cottage. It doesn’t have modern windows, and cobwebs sometimes appear overnight — that’s just part of the charm of staying somewhere with original features. I found it clean, tidy, and generally well maintained. My dog loved the garden, which was up together and very peaceful. He was very sad to leave and hid when I packed up. The parking situation is also nowhere near as dramatic as some reviews suggest. You can park almost opposite the cottage, against the hedge if you’re confident with parking. I parked my camper van there every day for a week without a single issue. A few people have also complained about the narrow lanes. It’s rural Dorset — narrow lanes are part of the landscape. Most of the lanes have plenty of passing places, and people are generally very considerate. The only lane I’d personally avoid is Norway Lane when leaving the village — that one is hideous — but the rest are absolutely fine. I do feel a bit sorry for the owner, because some people seem to have jumped on very small things and written quite mean comments both online and in the visitors’ book and others have simply jumped on this culture. If you want a fully refurbished, modernised cottage, you’ll need to pay considerably more — and a listed building simply can’t be updated in the same way as an unlisted building. Wayside has sweet little windows, wood floors, the cutest stairs, and all the quirks that come with a historic property. To me, that’s part of its character. The cleaning was good. There is always room for improvement in any property, but I didn’t find anything hugely concerning. The bedding looked fresh, clean, and good quality (I brought my own because I’m picky, but it all appeared well cared for). The towels were also soft and in very good condition. The only thing I would personally change is adding a bit more cutlery and there is a terrier sized hole in the garden fence by the patio - I blocked it with a plant pot as my border terrier found this immediately, as they do. The pub is closed which I was disappointed about and I do think the listing should reflect that given the rural location. Overall, I was very comfortable at Wayside for the whole week and was a little sad to leave. I would happily stay again.

    - Jane, September 2026

Summary

  • Two bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x single
  • Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
  • Kitchen
  • Utility
  • Living/dining room with woodburning stove
  • Central heating
  • Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine
  • TV, WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Roadside parking available on a first come first served basis
  • Enclosed rear garden with lawn, patio and furniture
  • One well behaved dog welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 1.6 miles, pub 0.1 miles
  • Note: The staircase is quite narrow and may not be suitable for guests with lowered mobility
  • Note: Check-in from 4pm, check-out at 10am

The property

Beaminster 1.8 miles.

Wayside is a beautiful, two-bedroom cottage nestled in the Dorset AONB, in the tranquil village of Stoke Abbot near Beaminster.

With a wealth of activities nearby, the added touch of a woodburning stove and an enclosed garden, Wayside is the ideal base for families, friends, or couples wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, all the while exploring the wonders of this stunning region.

Upon arrival to Wayside, step inside and find the kitchen, fully-equipped with all the necessary amenities to rustle up delicious meals for the whole family; spend quality time with your loved ones in the living/dining room, gathering around the table to tuck into your culinary delights or cosying up on the sofa with a real woodburning stove that will keep you toasty throughout the night.

If you prefer to bask in your surroundings a little while longer, why not head out into the enclosed rear garden, with a lush lawn, patio and outdoor furniture that allows you to make the most of alfresco mealtimes and evenings.

When sleep eventually calls, wash away the day in the ground-floor shower room before heading upstairs to one of two delightful bedrooms, comprising of a double and a single, each finished to a high standard and with plenty of storage for your personal belongings. Kickstart your itinerary by taking a short drive to the bustling market town of Bridport, with its range of boutique and independent shops, galleries, a weekly farmer’s market, and a selection of delicious eateries, in addition to the picturesque West Bay, which served as the backdrop for the popular TV series ‘Broadchurch’.

Further afield in Crewkerne, explore the fascinating ruins of Forde Abbey, visit the Crewkerne and District Museum, or immerse yourself in wildlife at the Bincombe Beech Nature Reserve, known for its beautiful beech trees and wildflower meadows.

For a day at the beach, Lyme Regis is just a short drive away, with its famous landmark The Cobb, lovely sandy beach, and a variety of ways to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast including fossil hunting or taking a scenic stroll along the dramatic cliffs and coastline.

Explore and discover all that Dorset has to offer, with a stay at Wayside.

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About the location

BEAMINSTER

Bridport 6 miles; Crewkerne 7 miles; Lyme Regis 15 miles.

The attractive country town of Beaminster nestles beneath the rolling West Dorset downland within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Around its square is the Conservation Area which boasts over 200 Grade II listed buildings, many of which are built from mellow hamstone. This thriving rural community offers a good selection of shops, inns and restaurants, whilst each summer hosts a popular music and arts festival. The local area abounds in a network of footpaths, one leads to the village of Netherbury, the site of the original River Cottage TV programme. An easy drive takes you to the lively market town of Bridport and to West Bay (TV's Broadchurch) on Dorset's stunning Jurassic Coast, whilst Lyme Regis, Dorchester and Weymouth are all easily accessible. A charming Dorset country town set in a most attractive rural setting.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas

How we calculate the "Was" price

Our 'Was' price shows the average price for this property over the last 90 days, so you can see how today's price compares.