Fernlea Acton

This is Fernlea. It's a stone house on the edge of Acton, just up from the coast near Swanage. It's in a quiet spot, part of a conservation area, so it's all fields and views out the back. You can see Swanage Bay from some of the windows.

It's big. Sleeps fourteen, seven bedrooms. The main thing is they all have their own bathroom, which makes it a lot easier with a lot of people. It's been renovated, so everything works and it's clean and comfortable. It's got a 4 Star rating.

The garden is yours to use. There's a patio area, and parking on site.

For facilities, you've got the basics covered: Wi-Fi, TVs, a washing machine, dishwasher. There's a woodburning stove for cooler evenings. We can put a cot and highchair out if you need them. One well-behaved dog is allowed.

You're about a mile from the sea. Dancing Ledge is that way, it's a rocky bit of coast. Swanage itself is a couple of miles. That's where you'll find the proper sandy beach, shops, places to eat, and a leisure centre with a pool. The steam railway to Corfe Castle runs from there.

There's a shop half a mile away. Three pubs within a mile, all serve food.

If you want to explore, the South West Coast Path is right there on the cliffs. Studland beach and the nature reserve are a short drive north. You can get the ferry from Studland over to Sandbanks if you fancy seeing Bournemouth. Poole Harbour and Wareham are about eight miles. Golf is four miles away.

Useful links for planning: National Trust Dorset, South West Coast Path, and the Dorset National Landscape site.