Nice towns/villages to stay in Dorset? Dorchester? Swanage?

[littlemisssunshine32]

I'm trying to book a holiday with my dh and 18mo at the start of October and can't decide where to stay! Want a holiday cottage in walking distance of a few amenities (eg cafe, pub). Had settled on Swanage but dh fussy on decor of the only ones I can find! Also like the look of Lyme Regis but it seems a bit far from most of the kid friendly tourist things?!

I'd recommend Corfe Castle village, it's very pretty and there are nice pubs nearby, including one with a gorgeous view of the castle which I can't remember the name of but will have a Google in a minute!

Link for corfe here corfe-castle.co.uk

Lyme is fab with a really safe beach - just spent the day there with my 3dds. It's very toddler friendly imo with lots of places to visit in driving distance. Abbotsbury has the swannery and children's farm, sidmouth donkey sanctuary is a drive away and I'm sure there's lots more but I'm too tired to think.

Littlemiss Swanage is lovely and great for families, safe beach, restaurants, shops, nice harbour for walks. We stayed here www.beachcomberholidayapartments.co.uk twice. Once when ds was 4 and then last year when he was 7. Great flats, modern and clean and really close to the beach with a nice pub a few doors down. Lovely owners too. Can't recommend highly enough.

Pecorama is supposed to be good too near Seaton although I've not been. Beer has lovely cafes, great pub on the beach at Seatown (near the village of Chideok).
If you go near lulworth cove / durdle door (which are beautiful) you can visit corfe castle and monkey world.
I love Dorset.

The pub I was thinking of is The Scott Arms. Phew! That was bugging me.

Thanks for your help everyone! BossWitch - Corfe Castle village looks perfect and several lovely cottages in our budget available - now just have to pick one :) Will make sure we try Scott Arms too!!

Ooh we went to Corfe Castle yesterday! Got the steam train from Swanage Railway and got off at the castle. Lovely place, DC had a fab time and the food was scrumptious the 3 scoops of local chocolate Icecream threw themselves into my mouth