Welcome to our September 2025 Newsletter!
As we drift into October, Dorset is showing off its finest autumnal colours and the cosy comforts of cottage life feel all the more inviting.
In this issue, we celebrate the launch of our refreshed website, an imminent Downton Abbey Shared Cottage Experience at a ridiculously low price, and the long-awaited hardcover edition of Laura’s recipe book.
Add in our guest gallery; yet another five-star guest review; a fascinating foray into Britain’s naval history; a comforting seasonal recipe courtesy of Laura; a dive into the Cranborne Chase area of natural beauty on our doorstep; our spectacular autumn trails named among the best in Britain; and the announcement of our latest picnic basket winner – and you’ve got plenty of reasons to curl up with this issue.
Away we go!
Our brand-new website is live!
We’re so excited to share that our all-new website has officially launched! Fully refreshed, easier than ever to navigate, and packed with new videos, it’s the best way to see exactly what makes an English Cottage Vacation so special.
From gourmet dining and cosy cottage comforts to unforgettable excursions and 24/7 hosted service, you’ll find everything laid out clearly – and with plenty of inspiration for your next adventure.
Ready to take a peek? As we strive for excellence your feedback is always welcome.
Final Last-minute offer! Downton Abbey Special Experience at an extremely low price you won’t want to miss!
Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey
7 nights: October 27 – November 3
for solos and couples | 2 bedrooms still available
If you are free this Halloween treat yourself to something spectacular! This will be our final ever offer as we take English Cottage Vacation to next level in 2026 and it’s certainly an extra special one!
For one enchanting week this autumn, join our limited edition Shared Cottage Experience and live your very own Downton Abbey dream – plus take advantage of this incredible offer and let Nathan and Laura prepare everything for you while you focus on your packing.
From exclusive access to Highclere Castle – complete with a special Real Lives & Film Sets guided tour – to champagne afternoon tea, expertly curated excursions, and a stay in our luxurious 18th-century thatched cottage, it’s a cultural escape like no other.
Plus you’ll experience Sherborne’s historic streets, Corfe Castle’s atmospheric ruins, Bath’s Roman elegance, indulgent spa time in Shaftesbury, the timeless drama of Stonehenge, the unforgettable Jurassic Coast and much more.
All of it, seamlessly hosted with Nathan at the wheel of an executive class Mercedes people carrier and Laura serving gourmet delights from the cottage kitchen – the kind of 24/7 VIP service Lord & Lady Carnarvon always enjoyed.
Only two beautiful bedrooms remain for this absolutely extraordinary experience – claim yours right now and click the button below!
EXPLORE THE FULL DOWNTON ABBEY EXPERIENCE
Kitchen to coffee table: Laura’s recipe book is now in hardcover!
It’s finally here! Laura’s much-loved recipe collection, until now available only as a digital download, has just been published as a beautiful 98-page hardcover edition, available globally.
This gorgeous keepsake book brings the warmth of Well Cottage straight into your kitchen – or onto your coffee table. With over 80 recipes spanning seasonal lunches, hearty mains, delicate bakes, and comforting puddings, every page celebrates the simple elegance and Dorset charm that define life at the cottage.
Whether you’re recreating your favourite dishes from your stay, surprising a food-loving friend with the perfect gift, or just craving a slice of English countryside flavour at home, this hardcover edition is one to treasure.
Or for any other territory, simply search “English Cottage Kitchen Recipe Book by Laura Kurton” on Amazon.
Prefer instant access? Laura’s original digital edition is still available to download right now – perfect for those who can’t wait to get cooking!
Now scroll down for a free sample of just the kind of scrumptious recipes you’ll find in Laura’s book!
Made in Dorset: Magical guest memories
“These guys really know how to treat their guests like royalty…” (and more kind words from our recent guests)
Every single one of our reviews is five stars – and for good reason. At Well Cottage, our guests aren’t just welcomed, they’re cherished, and every stay is designed to feel like the royal treatment. This lovely recent guest’s words say it all (thank you, Tina!):
“Best of the UK is here
We are experienced Travellers, so have a lot of experiences to compare, but our stay here at Well Cottage was over the top wonderful. From the pretty cottage, delicious gourmet meals, and beauty of the English countryside to the variety of interesting excursions and hospitality of Nathan and Laura, we absolutely loved our stay. Pictures don’t do the scenery justice nor can words describe the meals. These guys really know how to treat their guests like royalty. Just go…”
– Tina V, TripAdvisor, August 2025
Have you been a guest of ours? We’d be so grateful if you can share your experiences on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews too! Also be sure to check out the testimonials featured on our website!
Featured video: Step aboard a WWII submarine
Time travel as we join a father-and-son adventure aboard HMS Alliance – a Second World War submarine with stories stretching across decades of service. In this week’s featured video, you’ll journey through her narrow passageways, peer through working periscopes, and discover what daily life was really like beneath the waves.
But HMS Alliance is just the beginning. The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, one of our most popular history-focused excursions, is home to some of Britain’s greatest maritime treasures. Stand on the decks of Lord Nelson’s legendary flagship HMS Victory, step aboard the Victorian powerhouse HMS Warrior, and marvel at the painstakingly preserved hull of the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s ill-fated warship raised from the seabed after more than 400 years.
Whether you’re fascinated by submarines, drawn to tales of naval glory, or simply curious about the extraordinary role Britain’s navy has played through the centuries, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a destination that never fails to awe. And of course, we make sure your visit is effortless – with private chauffeured transport, expert guidance, and Laura’s gourmet provisions always at hand.
Featured recipe: Laura’s lovely pumpkin soup
Serves: 4-6 | Prep time: 15 mins | Cooking time: 30-40 mins
Laura’s hearty pumpkin soup is the very essence of autumn comfort – rich, velvety, and fragrant with warming spices. Perfect for cosy evenings by the fire or a simple lunch after a countryside walk, it’s a dish that gathers the season’s best flavours into one golden bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 large brown onion, chopped
- 2 large celery sticks, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 large parsnips, peeled and chopped
- 1 pumpkin (any type), peeled and chopped
- 1 apple (any kind), chopped
- 1.5L vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra if needed)
- 1 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground or freshly grated ginger
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional garnishes:
- Toasted pumpkin seeds
- Cream swirls
- Your favourite bread for serving
Directions
Prepare the base:
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a wide-based deep saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onion and celery, cooking for a few minutes until translucent.
Add the vegetables:
- Stir in the parsnip, carrot, apple, pumpkin, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Add more olive oil if needed and sauté for 3-5 minutes to release the flavours.
Simmer the soup:
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken stock and add the coconut milk.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cover the pot and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
Blend the soup:
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool slightly.
- Blend the soup in batches using a blender or stick blender until smooth.
Season & serve:
- Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve warm, garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds and cream swirls, alongside your favourite bread.
Tips:
- Add a pinch of chilli flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Substitute the apple with pear for a slightly sweeter flavour.
- For a richer soup, swirl in a little cream just before serving.
Love this recipe? It’s just a taste of what’s waiting in Laura’s Recipe Book now available in both hardcover print and digital editions! Packed with lots of scrumptious recipes, from breakfasts and afternoon teas to indulgent desserts and classic cocktails, it’s the perfect way to bring the magic of Well Cottage to your kitchen! Tap below for instant access:
Or search for “English Cottage Kitchen Recipe Book by Laura Kurton” on Amazon – the stunning hardcover edition is now available worldwide!
Local area focus: Cranborne Chase AONB
Step outside Well Cottage and you are surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland, woodland and rolling fields. Just beyond the hamlet lies the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a nationally protected landscape of ancient woods, chalk downland, picturesque villages and hidden valleys. It is one of the UK’s great walking and cycling destinations, and from the cottage you have direct access to routes that suit every pace, from gentle rambles to all-day adventures.
Here are just a few trails starting close by:
Cycle Trail: Ludwell, Win Green & Gallows Hill – 12 miles (19 km), Moderate. This circular route follows tracks and quiet lanes with moderate gradients and one long descent. Along the way you’ll pass historic villages, ancient burial sites and take in glorious views from the top of Win Green.
Short walk: Ludwell & the Coombes – 3.6 miles, Moderate. Beginning in Ludwell, this circuit explores Upper, Middle and Lower Coombes, with views to Win Hill and the Oxdrove. The route uses lanes, bridleways and footpaths.
Medium walk: Semley & The Donheads – 5 miles (8 km). From Semley the route threads through the thatched villages of Donhead St Andrew and Donhead St Mary, using a mix of field paths, tracks and quiet lanes with some steep gradients.
Long walk: Ashmore, Tarrant Gunville & Stubhampton – 9.5 miles, Moderate. A varied and rewarding circuit linking three characterful villages, following lanes and footpaths through classic Cranborne Chase countryside.
Walking with Wheels: Shear Water to Heaven’s Gate – 5 miles (8 km), Easy. A “there and back” route starting at Shear Water Lake and climbing gradually to Heaven’s Gate, where there are sculptures and gorgeous views over Longleat Estate. Terrain is suitable for Trampers and mobility scooters.
And there’s more!
These are just a handful of the many cycling, walking, wheelchair and pushchair-suitable routes available across Cranborne Chase. Whether you are looking for a gentle lakeside stroll, a bracing hike through open downland, or a scenic ride along quiet lanes, the landscapes here promise fresh air, spectacular views, and a sense of timeless countryside beauty right on Well Cottage’s doorstep.
And of course, with English Cottage Vacation, you’ll never need to worry about logistics. Laura will happily pack her famous gourmet picnic basket, which Nathan can have waiting at a picturesque rendezvous point. He’s also on hand to deliver you to your chosen starting point in executive comfort and whisk you back to Well Cottage whenever you’re ready – making your Cranborne Chase adventure effortless, indulgent, and unforgettable.
Make this happen – reach out now!
News Corner: Dorset’s autumn trails named among the UK’s finest
When Country Living compiled its list of Britain’s most unmissab walks, two of our Dorset favourites were singled out – along with one of our nearby Wiltshire gems.
At Kingston Lacy, the magazine highlights the 3.8-mile trail that follows the estate’s famed Beech Avenue (pictured), first planted in 1835: “The tree canopy now forms a beautiful tunnel of russet colour during the autumn months.” With the Japanese Garden and Acer Glade also blazing with fiery reds, yellows and oranges, it is a setting that glows at every turn.
On Brownsea Island, the article praises its “unspoiled landscape” and “peaceful haven for visitors seeking a bit of autumn colour.” Scarlet oaks, sweet chestnuts and hazel trees put on a dazzling display, while “even the local wildlife adds to the vibrant atmosphere, with migrant redstarts and the local population of red squirrels as the stars of the show.” Gorgeous coastal views complete the picture.
Over the border in Wiltshire, Stourhead also features: “This 5-mile walk takes you up through beautiful woodlands to King Alfred’s Tower, a 160-ft high folly designed in 1772… stop and enjoy the spectacular views across the lake in the landscape garden, with the deep autumnal hues of red, russet and yellow from the surrounding trees.” Highlights along the way include the serene South Lawn, tree-lined slopes that tumble towards the lake, and the atmospheric Grotto where a sleeping nymph awaits.
Three truly unmissable trails – all within easy reach of Well Cottage – and a perfect excuse to lace up your boots and savour the season.
Celebrating our luxury picnic basket winner!
It’s that time again! We’re thrilled to announce this month’s luxury countryside picnic basket! A beautifully handcrafted willow hamper filled with all the essentials for a dreamy alfresco outing is on its way to one lucky subscriber…
Jean Zomkouski
Congratulations – your prize is packed and ready to bring a generous helping of English countryside charm to your next outdoor adventure!
Your basket includes:
- Fine china plates and real glassware
- Stainless steel cutlery and linen napkins
- A tartan picnic blanket
Didn’t win this time? Don’t despair – we’re giving away another one next month! Simply stay subscribed to our weekly newsletter and you’re automatically in the draw.
And if you know someone who would love a touch of English charm in their inbox, feel free to forward this email or share the sign-up link – click here! They could also be in to win!
*Disclaimer: The basket we deliver is subject to availability but we will always strive to ensure comparable quality!
Essential info: Everything you need to know, all in one place
Autumn forest walks, Dorset
From your first enquiry to your farewell at Heathrow, we’ve designed every step of your English Cottage Vacation to be smooth, simple and beautifully stress-free.
Whether you’re curious about availability, wondering how payments work, or ready to shape your tailor-made itinerary, the links below will guide you through it all – clearly, quickly, and with complete confidence.
Your Tailor-Made Itinerary, Discovery Process
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Join our Facebook group for a peek behind the scenes, seasonal updates from Well Cottage, and a friendly space to connect with fellow Anglophiles. We’d love to welcome you in!
