The Dorset Nook

2

Eype, Dorset

A charming little cottage for 2 on the SW Coastal path, just minutes from a secluded beach

1 Bedroom

1 Bathroom

Close to a beach

Parking

Private garden

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

Woodburner

Space & setting.

The beach at Eype is an insider’s secret; a golden pebbled stretch flanked by dramatic cliffs, and totally deserted when we visited in April. Even in high season it remains relatively uncrowded; the tourists flock to West Bay and Lyme Regis, while the locals simply stroll through the fields to reach the incredible secluded bay.

Stays in this cosy 18thC cottage allow you to be in on the the action, too. Another secret of the area, it’s tucked away on a countryside footpath, so it’s blissfully quiet inside and out. Ancient window seats and characterful old beams have been twinned with a melange of vintage furniture and modern detail to create a romantic cocoon, which its model owner has enhanced with thoughtful touches. Sunshine floods the living spaces and the little south-facing garden looks onto the coastal path — it’s a beautiful walk to the Golden Cap, as well as West Bay, Chesil Beach and various pubs and eateries. Bring picnic food for beach days and a pair of walking boots; Dorset’s wild coast beckons.


Getting here: best to drive

“I had been looking for a seaside bolthole for years to create a lovely, quiet retreat from the world, but the houses were always on a road or within the hustle and bustle of a town. When this came up for sale, I went to peer over the hedge before they were even taking viewings and absolutely fell in love with the location – down a little footpath, just minutes to the beach, it felt so secret. The cottage was an odd series of tiny rooms downstairs and so my amazing builders completely renovated it and transformed it into the beautiful space it is now. If you arrive with most of your food for the week then there’s really no reason to get into your car again as the coastal path is so easily accessed from the cottage – you can walk to so many incredible places.” Owner, Ruth

My Kip favourites

She loves
“I love returning after a long walk for hot chocolate in front of the fire in the winter, or a cool glass of lemonade outside in the summer. It’s so quiet and perfectly placed to do everything under your own steam and not be reliant on your car to sightsee. Snuggling up in the evenings is just lovely here, too; maybe a pint at the local pub while you have dinner in the oven, then a cosy movie night in.”

We love
The bed – beautifully dressed and super comfy. That, the peace and the sea air gave us the best sleep.

You may not love
A 3- or 4-night min stay (see Specifics). Only accessible via a footpath from a private carpark, and the path can get muddy in winter. The bathroom is downstairs. Sorry, no pets allowed.

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  • "Wonderful 4 nights at the Jurassic Coast Cottage. The cottage is so warm and cosy and everything to make your stay special has been thought of by Ruth. The short walk to the beach is so handy and the slightly longer jaunt to West Bay will not disappoint. Thank you Ruth for the lovely gifts for us to enjoy. We'll be back!"

    Sue, November 2023
  • "Lovely last minute weekend stay, quiet location and the beach is only a short walk."

    Kim, August 2023
  • "Second time we’ve been back because it really is idyllic here. A beautiful property, really thoughtfully furnished and equipped, in a perfect location. The walk down to Eype beach then up over the cliffs to West Bay then Burton (and lunch at Hive) was my perfect day. Hope to come back for a third time too."

    M L, May 2023
  • "A comfortable and cosy cottage for two that has been renovated to a very high standard. A perfect base for exploring the Jurassic Coastline and surrounds. Highly recommend."

    Robyn, March 2023
  • "“Wow, I just didn’t want to leave. It felt so safe and quiet, the perfect hideaway, and I couldn’t stop touching the beams and the furniture, it was all so beautiful and tactile. We sat for hours birdwatching or just quietly reading and didn’t ever feel as though we wanted to leave. But then you step outside and smell the sea and it’s so quiet and you can just set off walking, it was really magical."

    Anna, April 2022
  • "We had a wonderful weekend staying at this beautiful cottage. It is stunning. You enter into the sun room with windows overlooking the garden and the Dorset hills. It has many lovely and thoughtful touches which you will discover. We walked straight out of the garden gate down the footpath and across a buttercup field, left to the beach and right to the farm for tea. There is also another route to the beach. The first night we walked along the coastal path to Seatown and had a good meal at the Anchor Inn. The walk was challenging in places with great views. The waitress gave us a taxi number for the way home. Bridport was a lovely walk the other way and even the rain couldn’t spoil a trip to Durdle Door. We have loved our time here." “The cottage is beautiful, decorated with care and thought and we had an amazing break. A short walk to the beach, a short drive to great restaurants but in such a quiet, relaxing location. We will be back!”

    J&J, 2022

Surrounds.

  • Eype beach is just minutes away on foot. A quiet, shingle bay that escapes the tourist crowds; the dream.
  • Walk the coastal path in either direction – the Golden Cap and round to Lyme Regis one way, and West Bay, Chesil Beach, Burton Bradstock the other. The scenery and sea panoramas are incredible.
  • Hive on Burton Bradstock beach dishes up amazing brunches. You nearly always have to wait for a table but the location is outstanding and the Full English worth the anticipation!
  • Try the undercliff walk between Lyme and Axminster; utterly unique, wild and memorable.
  • There’s a brilliant antiques centre in Bridport called ‘The Alleyways’; lots of vendors and little shops and workshops.
  • We also love Lyme Regis, with its gorgeous seafront and winding backstreets filled with quaint shops. Have coffee/drinks/food at Swim, with its lovely sea views.
  • The Electric Palace in Bridport is an Art Deco gem with some really interesting shows, if you fancy a cultured evening.
  • In the summer months, when the days are long, Ruth recommends dinner at The Anchor Inn followed by a beautiful stroll back to the cottage along the cliffs (if you’ve not had too many ales!)

Specifics.

  • Standalone cottage by a countryside footpath with sea views
  • Kingsize bedroom
  • Downstairs bathroom with shower/tub
  • Full kitchen with basic supplies
  • Dining table
  • Reading nook
  • Lounge with sofa, board games, books, magazines, a Smart TV and a woodburner
  • Great WiFi though phone reception is poor
  • Garden with deckchairs
  • Sorry, no pets allowed
  • Private car park up the footpath
  • Local caretaker
  • Walk to pubs, shops and restaurants (1-3 miles)
  • Booking conditions: stays are strictly Mon-Fri (4 nights) or Fri-Mon (3 nights)
  • Remember to pack: wellies in winter, and a head torch for walking back from the pub after dark!

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