Dorset self catering holiday cottages

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Dorset self catering holiday cottages

Scoles Manor, Corfe Castle, Dorset

At the end of a 300-yard private drive, Scoles Manor is in a fantastic location. The listed barns were converted into three holiday cottages in 1990. Since then Peter and Belinda Bell have welcomed hundreds of parties to this lovely corner of Dorset

The 30 acres of organically farmed land includes 2 ponds and a wild flower copse. There is lots for children to do: playing in the grounded boat or up the tree house, walking our friendly dogs, looking after ducks and chickens

A recent book says: "Scoles Manor is the most interesting of the houses built along the old marble line. It enjoys one of the best situations on the Purbecks, in a natural bowl with an almost unspoilt panoramic view in the direction of Corfe Castle".

There are three cottages:
The Dairy
On a single storey, the dairy consists of:
  – Four double bedrooms
  – Two bathrooms (one en-suite)
  – Shower room
  – Sitting / dining room
  – Kitchen

The Great Barn
  – Three double bedrooms
  – Two bathrooms
  – Massive sitting / dining room
  – Kitchen

The Little Barn
  – Two bedrooms (one with bunk beds)
  – Bathroom
  – Sitting / dining room
  – Kitchen


Included in each cottage:
  – Linen and towels
  – Cutlery, china, cooking utensils
  – Television, books, chess set
  – Iron and ironing board
  – Payphone
  – Cots (if required)
  – A starter pack of groceries

The cottages are rated 4 keys by the English Tourist Board.

  – Baby sitting / child minding is normally available.
  – Ice Cream available - the famous Purbeck Ice Cream is made at the farm next to us.
  – Water is from our own source (certified pure).

Beaches & water sports
The National Trust beach at Studland is one of the best in the south of England. There is also a good beach at Swanage. Within walking distance of Scoles is Chapman's Pool and the beautiful rock beaches at Winspit and Seacombe. Swanage has got excellent diving with a number of wrecks. Poole Harbour and Kimmeridge are good for windsurfing.

Walking, cycling & riding
The Isle of Purbeck is great walking territory with miles of glorious paths. The fabulous Dorset Coastal path passes within two miles of Scoles at Swyre Head. You can also explore the countryside on bicycle or horseback. The Purbeck Cycle Way is recently opened. There are several excellent local riding stables.

Good walking map: OS Outdoor Leisure Map 015

History & sightseeing
Apart from Corfe Castle itself, the following are all well worth seeing and are within easy driving distance:
– Kingston Lacy (National Trust house)
– Maiden Castle (Iron Age fort)
– Tyneham (deserted village)
– Badbury Rings (Iron Age fort)
– Dorchester, Wareham, Weymouth, Wimborne and Blandford are all interesting old towns
– Thomas Hardy fans will be in their element. His cottage in Bockhampton is only a half-hour drive. Scoles itself could well have come out of a Hardy novel.
– The New Forest

Great guide book: Dorset: The Complete Guide
'An indispensable companion when traveling round Dorset'

Golf
The Isle of Purbeck Golf Club with marvelous views over Poole Harbour is about 10 minutes away. There are testing courses at Parkstone, Ferndown and Broadstone (each around 30 minutes away). There is a fun pitch'n'putt in Swanage.

Bird watching & nature
Many rare species are native to the Isle of Purbeck, including the Dartford Warbler. The Arne RSPB Reserve is 5 miles away. Owls, deer and hares can often be seen at Scoles.

Scoles Manor is situated between the villages of Corfe Castle and Kingston in the Isle of Purbeck. It is approximately 110 miles from London via the M3 and M27. The nearest mainline station is at Wareham, 5 miles away, with trains to Waterloo taking 2½ hours.
The attractive seaside town of Swanage is 4 miles away and Bournemouth via the Studland ferry is 12 miles away.

Getting to Scoles Manor by car
From Wareham take the A351 towards Swanage. After going through Corfe Castle, turn right on the B3069 towards Kingston and Langton Matravers. Go up and down over the common. As the road starts to climb again you pass three warning signs (a zigzag, a 1:6 gradient and a horse). Turn left immediately after this. Follow the track for 200 yards, cross a cattle grid and after another 100 yards you arrive at Scoles Manor.

Tel 01929 480312

Web www.scoles.co.uk

Dorset self catering holiday cottages