If you want a charming old English country cottage set in wonderful countryside then this is it! This sweet, quirky little cottage is set in the delightful village of Melbury Osmond - "Little Hintock" in Thomas Hardy's book "The Woodlanders" and is perfectly placed to reach many of the wonderful things that Dorset has to offer - the Jurassic Coast with its glorious beaches only about 20 minutes away, charming villages with Dorset thatched cottages and quaint towns nearby. There are many lovely walks around - an amble with the dog, the well-known Hardy Way trail nearby or a walk through Melbury deer park to the Acorn Inn at Evershot to enjoy a characterful English pub. A great place for family holidays or weekends with friends, a Dorset institution in fact where many of my Dorset friends have had much jollity and fun. This is for guests who enjoy a slightly bohemian old quirky property with its coloured rough cottage rooms, old furniture and imperfect decoration. The main bedroom and single bedroom together with the small bathroom with bath and hand-held shower for hair washing are on the first floor. Steep stairs rise to the cosy attic bedroom with lovely rural views. This is for people who want an old property with character so possibly not for people looking for a Travel Lodge alternative nor is it suitable for house-proud people! Not suitable for children under 4 years old.

I had 18 years wonderful and fun years in Bittles bringing up my 2 lovely boys who are now working in London. I remarried at the end of 2016 and decided that I would offer Bittles to others who would enjoy it as much as we did!

Melbury Osmond is located in one of the prettiest parts of Dorset bordering the 'Cattistock country' with its green undulating land which gets more dramatic as you weave your way to the coast 25 minutes away. It could be said that it is in the centre of the county and access to many of the iconic Dorset landmarks are within 1/2 hour's drive in any direction. The village features in one of the great writer, Thomas Hardy's books 'The Woodlanders' and in fact his mother was brought up in the village and her cottage still stands. It is one of the 'choice villages' in estate agents speak with its lovely period properties, handsome church and 'the Splash' - a small brook that crosses the village road and flanks the Melbury Estate with its parkland. There are wonderful pubs within a few miles of the property, high-end dining at Summer Lodge (5*), various restaurants inland and on the coast, beaches, fossil-hunting, various water sports and quaint Dorset towns and gardens to visit. The cottage itself is rural but not isolated with houses around and although semi-detached it has a degree of privacy.