Harbour Hill

Harbour Hill is a 3-bedroom semi-rural cottage in Chickerell, just outside Weymouth on the Dorset coast. It sits in genuinely rural surroundings with views toward Hardy's Monument and across open fields, which makes it a good fit for dog owners wanting a quiet base for coastal + countryside walks rather than a beach-town location. With 2 confirmed pet-traveller reviews averaging 4.5/5 paws (both positive), the cottage is a credible mid-Dorset dog-friendly choice.

The standout pet feature is the enclosed garden, which guests have specifically called out as 'properly dog-secure'. That's worth more than a generic 'pet-friendly' badge: it means you can let the dog out without supervising every move, which matters more than most listing-page features. The garden has patio + garden furniture + a portable barbecue, so longer evenings outside with the dog work well.

The pet policy itself is straightforward: dogs welcome, with 'doggy extras' provided though the listing doesn't specify what those are. Best to confirm with the owner what's included before you travel (bowls, towels, beds vary by property). No specific breed or weight restrictions are disclosed.

Inside, the layout is conventional Dorset-cottage: 3 bedrooms upstairs, ground-floor living room with an open fire (a nice touch for older dogs who want to curl up by the warmth), kitchen with electric cooker + microwave + freezer + dishwasher, dining room. One past guest noted the cleanliness specifically in a dog-friendly context: 'couldn't have smelt any cleaner and fresher despite having our dog with us' - meaningful when so many cottage rentals struggle with the dog-hair-and-residual-scent problem.

Location-wise, Chickerell sits about 3 miles inland from Weymouth town and 2 miles from the coast. The closest beaches are Bowleaze Cove and Chesil Beach - both have dog-friendly access outside the May-September restriction zones - and the South West Coast Path runs along the cliff edge for longer-distance walking. Weymouth itself has plenty of dog-friendly pubs + cafes; Portland is a 15-minute drive for the Bill + the dog-friendly coast path.

One practical note: this is a semi-rural cottage by a country road, so it's not walkable to amenities. You'll want a car if you're staying more than a couple of nights. The car-dependence is a plus for quiet evenings + a minus if you'd prefer to walk to a pub from the door.

Best suited to a family or couple with one to two dogs who want a quiet rural base for mid-Dorset coast + countryside walking, are comfortable with car-based exploring, and prioritise a secure garden over walk-to-amenities convenience.