Welcome to our bumper December 2025 newsletter – and season’s greetings from Well Cottage!
This festive edition brings together a little of everything we love: Christmas cheer from the cottage, a beautiful summer 2026 whole-cottage opportunity, the perfect last-minute gift from Laura’s kitchen, cosy seasonal reading, and a rather cheeky slice of Dorset news.
You’ll also find a favourite excursion, a festive recipe straight from Well Cottage, a spotlight on a much-loved corner of our local area, and – of course – the announcement of this month’s luxury picnic hamper winner.
So pour yourself something warming, settle in somewhere cosy, and enjoy this festive wander through life at Well Cottage and the Dorset countryside beyond.
Happy Holidays from Laura and Nathan!
One beautiful summer week still available at Well Cottage
Whole Cottage Experience | 7 nights | June 24 – July 1, 2026
Well Cottage in the summertime – and a little sneak peek at one
of Laura’s scrumptious gourmet dishes perfect for a sunny day
We currently have whole-cottage availability for this magical week in June, offering exclusive use of Well Cottage for up to six guests across three ensuite bedrooms. It’s a wonderful option for friends travelling together, multi-generational families, or families with children who value space, privacy and a relaxed, unhurried pace.
June is one of the loveliest months to experience Dorset. Gardens are in full bloom, the countryside is lush and green, and the long daylight hours create a wonderfully easy rhythm to each day. With comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than later in the summer, it’s an ideal time for village strolls, coastal scenery, countryside walks and lingering evenings outdoors – all before UK school holidays begin.
For this enchanting week, you can choose between two all-inclusive ways to experience your stay. A tailor-made itinerary allows us to design a completely unique week shaped around your interests and pace, while our 7-night set itineraries offer a simpler, more streamlined option with a pre-planned schedule and slightly lower pricing – both delivering the same level of hosting, care and immersion.
Clockwise from top, Well Cottage’s gloriously comfy bedrooms 1, 2 and 3
Current pricing (based on six guests sharing):
- Tailor-made itineraries from US $6,600 per person (with a 2.5% discount per child under 18)
- 7-night set itineraries from US $5,445 per person
All pricing is fully all-inclusive, covering accommodation, meals, itinerary planning, transfers, transport and personalised hosting throughout your stay. Your 24/7 VIP service includes the full attention of your resident gourmet chef Laura, and your on-demand chauffeur/guide Nathan.
Book before January 1, 2026 to secure this year’s rates, ahead of our annual price increase.
If June 24 to July 1, 2026 sounds like the perfect fit for your unforgettable English Cottage Vacation, we’d love to hear from you. You’re very welcome to book a chat with us or get in touch via our website to learn more and explore your options.
Click here to watch a short video and see how utterly enchanting Well Cottage and Dorset are in the summertime!
Perfect last-minute Christmas gift!
If Christmas has crept up on you (it does have a habit of doing that!), Laura’s English Cottage Kitchen Recipe Book makes a wonderfully thoughtful gift – and the best part is, the digital edition can be downloaded instantly!
Filled with the comforting flavours of Well Cottage, this beautifully curated collection brings Laura’s much-loved recipes straight to the kitchen wherever you are in the world. From indulgent puddings and delicate bakes to soul-warming mains, it’s a gift that can be enjoyed immediately – no wrapping paper required.
Perfect for Christmas morning, even if you’re shopping at the eleventh hour!
And for something truly special to enjoy in the New Year, the 98-page hardcover print edition makes a delightful follow-up gift!
Beautifully bound and designed to be treasured, this keepsake captures the heart, warmth and flavour of life at Well Cottage.
Whether it’s for a food lover, a future guest dreaming of Dorset, or a well-deserved treat for yourself, it’s a book to cook from, display proudly, and return to time and again as the seasons unfold.
Or for any other territory, simply search “English Cottage Kitchen Recipe Book by Laura Kurton” on Amazon.
Now scroll down for a free festive sample of the kind of delicious recipes you’ll find in Laura’s book!
Gallery: Festive scenes from Well Cottage and around Dorset
Clockwise from top left: Nathan in a snowy field; Well Cottage pictured from the lane;
window view of the snow-dusted garden and fields beyond; the cottage seen from the wintery garden
Clockwise from top left: Festive fayre from Laura’s cottage kitchen; open fire in the Snug;
decorations on the tree; a very Christmassy Well Cottage
Just some of the fabulous fun and scenes to be seen around Dorset during the festive season
SEE MORE PHOTOS ON OUR GUEST GALLERY
Featured video: Walking the Jurassic Coast with Robson Green
Much-loved British TV star Robson Green – known for Grantchester, Wire in the Blood and Soldier Soldier – has been exploring one of Dorset’s greatest showstoppers: the Jurassic Coast.
In this lovely clip from his new walking series on the free streaming platform UKTV, Robson takes in the wild coastal scenery and timeless landscapes that make this World Heritage coastline so unforgettable.
It’s a wonderful little taste of the kind of walks our guests adore during an English Cottage Vacation.
Festive reading for cosy winter evenings
If you’re in the mood for some seasonal inspiration, these much-loved blog posts are especially delightful to revisit at this time of year:
The great British roast dinner
There’s nothing quite like a proper British roast, especially in the depths of winter. From crisp, golden potatoes and rich gravy to the comforting rituals that make it a true Sunday (and festive) institution, this post explores why the roast dinner holds such a treasured place in British life – and it also includes Laura’s traditional British roast turkey dinner recipe, perfect for recreating the experience at home.
Christmas in the UK vs Christmas in the US
Ever wondered how Christmas differs on either side of the Atlantic? This festive favourite explores the traditions, timings and little cultural quirks that make a British Christmas feel wonderfully familiar – yet charmingly different.
Christmas in Dorset
From twinkling village lights to frosty countryside walks and roaring pub fires, this post paints a picture of Christmas in Dorset at its most magical. It’s the perfect read if you’re dreaming of a festive escape steeped in English tradition.
Settle in with a cuppa, light the fire (or imagine you have one!), and enjoy a little festive reading from the heart of the English countryside!
“The trips, food, service and other guests have all been wonderful…”
(and more kind words from our recent guests)
We never tire of hearing how deeply an English Cottage Vacation at Well Cottage stays with our guests – especially when they choose to return. This recent 5-star review of a Shared Cottage Experience captures the care, connection and sense of discovery that so many guests tell us make their time here truly unforgettable:
“A Holiday at Well Cottage: Holidays at Well Cottage are splendid!! The trips, food, service and other guests have all been wonderful, so much so that I visited again this year after a hiatus of five years. Everything was exactly as I remembered and I was able to pay more attention to details at the castle ruins, the grand homes, gardens, and coast than I had the first time through. It is truly an experience that you won’t forget, I promise!” – Happiness553863, 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 excursion: Lulworth Castle – where history meets the sea
Set in rolling parkland above the Dorset coast, Lulworth Castle is often called the most beautiful castle in the south – and it’s easy to see why. Originally built in the early 17th century as a hunting lodge to entertain aristocracy and royalty, this fairytale fortress has been the family seat of the Weld family for more than 400 years.
Though ravaged by fire in 1929, the castle has risen again in splendour through a remarkable restoration partnership with English Heritage. Today it stands as both a historic treasure and a place of living memory, its grand rooms and towers echoing with stories of kings, queens and centuries of family fortune and fate.
Inside, you can trace the castle’s fascinating history, explore atmospheric basement rooms and personal collections, and climb the tower for spectacular views across the Purbeck countryside and out towards the Jurassic Coast. Within the park you’ll also find two beautiful places of worship: the 15th-century Church of St Andrew and the graceful Roman Catholic Chapel of St Mary’s, both steeped in significance and peace.
The grounds are a joy to explore – broad lawns, ancient woodland, and wide skies that invite you to linger. Nathan will chauffeur you through the scenic drive to the estate, and Laura will have prepared one of her gourmet picnic hampers, elegantly set up by Nathan with table and chairs on the lawns for a truly regal lunch. It’s an outing that combines history, beauty, and complete relaxation in perfect harmony.
Watch for opening dates and seasonal hours at Lulworth Castle and Park, or simply leave the details to Nathan and Laura – your hosts will ensure every element is seamlessly planned and perfectly timed.
EXPLORE ALL OF OUR EXTRAORDINARY EXCURSIONS
News corner: Cerne Abbas Giant turns the other cheek…
The Cerne Abbas Giant in all his glory and, inset, the cheeky National Trust badge
Just when we thought Dorset’s most famously shameless resident couldn’t surprise us any further, the Cerne Abbas Giant has quite literally turned his back on us.
The National Trust has unveiled a new limited-edition pin badge showing the 1,000-year-old giant from behind – revealing his rather unapologetic bare bottom. Thought to be a world first (rear view, that is), the brazen badge is part of a fundraising appeal to help secure the beautiful landscape surrounding Giant Hill for future generations.
Long celebrated on tea towels, aprons and clocks, the jaunty giant is once again reminding us all that British heritage has always come with a cheeky sense of humour!
SEE HIM FOR YOURSELF – BOOK NOW
Important travel reminder
If you’re planning to visit England in the future, please be aware that most overseas visitors – including travellers from the US and Canada – will now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.
The ETA is a simple online travel permission (similar to the US ESTA). It costs £16, is usually approved quickly, and is valid for multiple visits over two years. Full enforcement begins on 25 February 2026, and airlines will check ETA status before travel.
If you have any questions about how this applies to your English Cottage Vacation, we’re always happy to help
Featured recipe: Laura’s brandy snaps filled with cream
Serves: 6-8 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cooking time: 8-10 mins
At Well Cottage, brandy snaps often make an appearance during the festive season, served with coffee by the fire or as a sweet little flourish after supper. Light, lacy and gently spiced, these golden beauties are rolled while warm and filled with softly whipped cream. Deceptively simple to make, this is a delightful dessert that feels both wonderfully nostalgic and quietly indulgent.
Ingredients
For the brandy snaps:
- 100g unsalted butter
- 100g golden syrup
- 100g light brown sugar
- 100g plain flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp brandy (optional but traditional)
For the filling:
- 300ml double cream
- 1 tbsp icing sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Method
- Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/ 350°F and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Melt and mix: In a saucepan set over a gentle heat, melt the butter, golden syrup and brown sugar together, stirring until smooth and glossy. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Add the dry ingredients: Sift the flour, ginger and cinnamon into the saucepan and stir well to combine. Add the brandy, if using, and mix until you have a smooth batter.
- Bake: Spoon small teaspoons of the mixture onto the prepared trays, leaving plenty of space between each one – they will spread. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the snaps are a rich golden colour and lacy around the edges.
- Shape while warm: Working quickly (and carefully), remove the trays from the oven. Allow the snaps to cool for about 30 seconds, then lift each one and roll around the handle of a wooden spoon to form a classic tube shape. Leave to cool completely – they’ll crisp up beautifully.
- Whip the cream: Whip the double cream with the icing sugar and vanilla until softly holding its shape.
- Fill and serve: Once fully cooled, gently fill each brandy snap with the whipped cream using a piping bag or spoon. Serve straight away for the perfect contrast of crisp shell and soft, creamy filling.
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!
FEAST YOUR EYES ON LAURA’S FOOD GALLERY
Local area focus:
Compton Abbas Airfield
WW2 Spitfires taking off from Compton Abbas Airfield in Dorset
Just two miles from Well Cottage lies one of Dorset’s most captivating hidden treasures: Compton Abbas Airfield, a beautifully preserved grass airstrip perched high on the hills of the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From here, the views sweep across the Blackmore Vale and Shaftesbury, offering a panorama that feels almost airborne even before the planes take off.
Steeped in nostalgia yet brimming with life, Compton Abbas is where heritage aviation meets modern luxury. Owned by film director Guy Ritchie, the airfield celebrates the golden age of flight with a vibrant community of light aircraft and lovingly maintained warbirds.
Visitors can watch vintage Spitfires and other historic aircraft gliding over the fields while enjoying a leisurely coffee or lunch on the terrace. It’s the kind of place that makes time slow down – all blue skies, gentle engine hums, and the scent of barbecue drifting on the breeze.
Home to the UK’s largest BBQ smoker, the brand-new Lore of the Sky restaurant serves low-and-slow dishes that blend bold Texas flavour with quintessential Dorset charm.
And for guests who want to delve even deeper into Britain’s wartime legacy, English Cottage Vacation offers a remarkable WWII and D-Day History Itinerary. It’s a truly unforgettable seven-night journey through England’s most significant military landmarks.
This immersive experience combines authentic site visits, battlefield tours, and museum explorations with the tranquillity and indulgence of Well Cottage. It’s perfect for history lovers, veterans and families, or anyone inspired by courage, resilience and the stories that shaped our world – all wrapped in the luxury, personal service, and gourmet comfort that define every Well Cottage stay.
MAKE THIS HAPPEN – REACH OUT NOW
Know someone who shares our love of exceptional travel?
From time to time, our guests mention travel advisors who truly get what we do – those who value authenticity, personal service and beautifully crafted luxury experiences.
If you have a trusted travel agent or broker in mind who you feel would appreciate the uniqueness of an English Cottage Vacation, we’d love to be introduced. A simple connection can open the door to something rather special for all of their clients.
You’re very welcome to share their details with us, or pass ours along to them – either way, we’d be delighted to start the conversation.
Help us make Well Cottage even MORE enchanting!
Every stay at Well Cottage is shaped by the people who pass through its doors, and your experiences truly matter to us. If you’ve stayed with us, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a few moments to share your thoughts in the short feedback form below.
It’s a simple way to help us fine-tune the little details and ensure each English Cottage Vacation continues to feel as thoughtful, personal and magical as the last.
Celebrating our luxury picnic basket winner!
One of our picnic set-ups in a glorious English countryside location
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…
WENDY KILLINGSWORTH
Please reach out to us by email so that we can arrange delivery!
info@englishcottagevacation.com
Congratulations! 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
View across verdant countryside of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England
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
Step inside the cottage community!
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!
