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   New Cottage; Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms; Children welcome |
This traditional stone cottage is attractively situated in the small hamlet of Acton amidst the rolling hills of beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside and is within a five minute drive of the sandy beach at Swanage. Alma Cottage is in a spectacular walking and cycling area with footpaths and bridleways leading directly from the property to a net work of paths which extend to the nearby coast and the purbeck villages of Langton Matravers, Worth Matravers and Corfe Castle. Some of the most wonderful panoramic coastal and rural views to be enjoyed on these walks in this “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ which is also part of the Jurassic Coast. It is home to a wide range of marine and bird life - dolphins and seals can often be seen off the coast near Swanage and there are excellent sites for bird watchers at Studland and the RSPB site at Arne – also a wonderful home for wild deer. At Swanage you have all the traditional amusements of a small seaside resort including Punch & Judy, crazy golf, pedaloes and fishing plus facilites for various boating activities and diving. A steam railway links Swanage with Corfe Castle – a nearby picturesque village renowned for its ancient castle, tea shops, and pretty thatched cottages.
Alma Cottage is built of purbeck stone, with a traditional stone roof. It stands at the centre of three adjoining properties on the inner edge of the hamlet which is approached via a short gravel lane. A high gate and stone wall gives secluded access to the cottages and it is a peaceful spot - the other cottages only being used occasionally. The cottage is south facing and provides comfortable accommodation for 4 people in 2 bedrooms. On the ground floor there is a pleasant sitting room with a sofa and chairs, television/DVD player. A wood burning stove, set in a charming stone fireplace, provides a lovely central focus for the room and the window overlooks the garden; there is a pine fitted kitchen with a tiled floor, an electric cooker, ceramic hob, microwave, dishwasher and refridgerator. A washing machine and freezer are provided in a small utility area under the stairs. Upstairs there is an attractive open plan bedroom with a double bed, a pretty beamed ceiling and a further window overlooking the garden; a thick curtain provides privacy for this room from the pretty landing. There is a separate twin room with a fitted wardrobe and a tiled bathroom with bath, overhead shower, basin and w.c. The cottage is heated with a combination of storage heaters, electric radiators and the wonderfully efficient wood burning stove. Electricity/electric heating without extra charge. Travel cot and high chair can be provided if required. Wi Fi internet available
The cottage has an attractive south facing garden at the front of the property which is paved in a courtyard style and has a small raised lawn. Garden furniture is provided so that meals can be enjoyed outside. Visitors have private use of this area of garden which is open plan with the adjoining cottage. A path in front of the cottage gives access to the walled garden of the other adjoining cottage. The garden does have a covered well with a working water pump in the garden. One car can be parked in a private parking area to the side of the cottages. Additional parking is available in the lane. Bus service to Swanage and Poole within 5 minutes walk. It is only a 15 minute walk to the village of Langton Matravers with its village shop and two public houses. A 25 minute walk leads to the pretty coastal village of Worth Matravers, renowned for the old fashioned charm of its public house – The Square and Compass. Nearby places to visit include: the National Trust properties of Corfe Castle, the grand manor house of Kingston Lacey, the homes of Lawrence of Arabia and Thomas Hardy plus Brownsea Island. There is also Monkey World and the tank museum within a short drive to mention just a few.
The village of Acton in Dorset is a historic hamlet located between Swanage and Worth Matravers and is mostly comprised of small stone cottages. The location places you at the heart of Purbeck and within walking distance of some of the most interesting sites.
Acton is only a few hundred yards from the Priests Way that links Swanage with Worth Matravers and this well marked trail makes a pleasant walk to the celebrated Square and Compass public house at Worth Matravers where a true Dorset atmosphere and frequent folk music events can be enjoyed through out the year. A pasty and a pint in the sun is a great way to enjoy a sunny lunch time at 'The Square'.
Acton is affords excellent access to the numerous coastal sites along this part of Purbeck such as Winspit and Dancing Ledge as well as the very attractive coastal path. It is also possible to follow the coastal path to Kimmeridge to the West or past Swanage and on to Studland in the East.
The closest shop to Acton is in Langton Matravers which is only a short walk away. The village store keeps a good range of essential and Langton Matravers also has two public houses and the Ship Inn does lunches and dinners.
Swanage is best known for its sandy beach and large bay. The beach is popular with swimmers and games in the gentle surf. With it's sandy beaches and pleasant climate it has been a popular seaside resort since Victorian times. Swanage is the starting point of spectacular walks along the Jurrasic coast, as well as inland country walks, situated as it is in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Swanage is connected with the attractive village of Corfe Castle by the Swanage Steam Railway.
Swanage has a number of shops and restaurants to choose from.View a list of Swanage holiday cottages at www.swanageholidaycottage.co.uk
The Isle of Purbeck is a peninsular of land located in the South of Dorset and is famous for its sandy beaches, beautiful countryside and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. The sea surrounds Purbeck on three sides and nowhere is for from the coast. Apart from the small town of Swanage, the Isle of Purbeck is made up of small rural hamlets and traditional villages.
The North side of Purbeck is dominated by a wooded and heathland nature reserve and where it meets the water of Poole Harbour it attracts a great deal of bird life. The East coast of Purbeck is known for the two long sandy beaches at Studland and Swanage but also for the limestone pillars at Old Harry's Rocks. Along the South Coast is the start of the Jurassic Coast which is characterised by impressive coastal formations like Dancing Ledge and Durdle Door but also for quiet coves and peaceful beaches for swimming.
Much of Purbeck has been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the vast majority of Purbeck remains in the hands of nature. This is ideal for walkers and cyclists who are free to explore large areas of countryside and take in a number of wondrous locations.
The Isle of Purbeck has a number of events which take place throughout the year. To find out more about local events go to our Purbeck Events pages.
Walking, Nature & Wild Life Links:
Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Details of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ways to enjoy them with walking and cycling information as well as some great places to see. - www.dorsetaonb.org.uk
Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve - Find out more about the efforts to conserve the marine wildlife, where you might find some sea horses and how you can also get involved with fun projects. - www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Purbeck Coast Walks - A walking route along the Purbeck Coast with links to other walks nearby - www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_a/2579/
Where to Ride Purbeck - Cycle routes and information for Purbeck - www.britishcycling.org.uk/
The cottage is in a beautiful location, with miles of attractive, easy walking literally on the doorstep, and a good bus service to Swanage and Poole at the end of the lane. Overall Rating: 4 Stars
A very comfortable cottage, a great base from which to explore a beautiful part of Dorset. Overall Rating: 5 Stars
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Introduction
Our self catering property is a two storey period cottage of tradition Purbeck stone construct built at the time of the Creamer War and named after the battle of Alma.
We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement, if you have any queries please do call the owner/caretaker or Island Cottage Holidays.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Pre-Arrival
We have a basic website which provides information on the proerty.
Bookings / enquiries can be made via email, fax or phone
The nearest bus stop is at the end of the lane. To the right takes you in the Swanage direction and to the left in the direction of Wareham.
The nearest main line train station (Wareham) approximately 5 miles away; there are accessible taxis at the station.
The tourist steam train at Swanage runs between Swanage and Corfe Castle.
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
There is an open grass car parking area for one vehicle, within a few yards of the gate to Alma Cottages number 1, 2 and 3.
Car park is uneven and can be a little muddy when wet; there are three stone slab steps on to the unmade track.
There is no street lighting.
Access to number 2 Alma Cottage is via a timber gate in a tall stone wall running along side the track, there are a couple of uneven stone slab steps into the front garden of numbers 1 and 2. You walk past the entrance to number 1. The entrance to your cottage is next on the left.
The Property
Like most old cottages of its type, there are uneven steps and flooring through out with two low beams, one at the foot of the staircase and the other into the front bedroom. These have been identified by decorative beading.
The ground floor is open plan with a narrow staircase leading to the first floor. There is no two-way switching and the staircase is illuminated by switching on the power switch adjacent to a night light on the landing reached from the ground floor landing.
The sink in the kitchen is a butler’s sink and has no drainer, there is a stainless steel tray with a small drainage hole at one end, this hole must be positioned so that the water from the tray flows directly into the sink.
There is an electric heater in the bathroom, pre set to heat the bathroom first thing in the morning, the switch for which is in front of you at the top of the stair. Please leave this ON.
The property is heated by electric night storage heaters; these store heat during the night. There is a dial on the top of the heater, which can be adjusted to increase the amount of stored heat; the high the number the greater the heat. The heat will trickle out during the day, but the out put can be increased by adjusting the out let dial.
These heater and that in the bathroom must not be cover, if they are they may over heat and become a fire hazard.
Hot water is available be pushing the far “start” button in the airing cupboard. This will heat the water for I hour. This can be repeated as necessary.
There are Velux roof windows in the bathroom and rear bedroom. The bedroom window is opened by one end of the pole and a blind can be closed by the other end of the pole.
Externally
There is a small garden partly grassed and paved, there are changes in levels and various uneven stone slab steps.
There is working well, covered with a metal grill and stone slab, these should not be removed.
In the doubled door stone shed are 4 garden chairs and a table for your use. The combination number for the shed lock is 536.
Contact Telephone and Email Address
Contact: Island Cottage Holidays, The Old Vicarage, Kingston, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5LH.
Telephone: (01929) 481555; Email: enquiries@islandcottageholidays.com
We welcome your feedback to help us continually to improve. If you have any comments please telephone or email Island Cottage Holidays.
Please note that all measurements quoted are approximate. All information is kept up to date but if there is a particular requirement of special importance to you we would ask you to contact us for clarification.
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Purbeck Locations |
Purbeck Cottages |
mail@islandcottageholidays.com - 01929 481555 |
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A perfect situation to walk the (too) many footpaths and very handy for the bus, both to Poole and Swanage and all places in between. You will see an abundance of wildlife if you take the time to "stop and stare". Overall Rating: 5 Stars
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