Our Google Reviews
Above and beyond our expectations, the cottage was beautifully appointed, the service and food menu's excellent and the hosts simply amazing!
I booked Well Cottage as a treat for myself and it lived up to my expectations and exceeded them in some cases. It's so wonderful to be picked up, taken care of (every detail), and dropped off at the end of my stay. I could spend the entire time "vacationing," not worrying about where to go to eat (food's delicious), not worrying about where to stay (room was fabulous), not worrying about how to get to places I wanted to visit (all laid on and taken care of). I relaxed, had a great time. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Reading all the positive reviews about the English Cottage Vacation it seems too good to be true. However, It is true! Laura and Nathan are amazing hosts! They were professional from day one on planning our trip. They listened to us and helped to create the perfect experience for our 6 person family.They took care and effort in all facets of the trip. From booking events in advance so we had tickets (a must for Stonehenge), to driving all over the countryside with care and efficiency. Nathan was the perfect Guide and facilitated every need.The cooking was amazing. The meals were well prepared and beautiful to look at. The ambiance Laura created was stellar. I cannot praise her enough. She even allowed my teenage daughter to cook with her to pick up on some tips from an experienced professional chef.The cottage is as advertised. Comfortable and full of all needed amenities. It is tucked away into a small village with hedge lined roads and fields for days. The garden is what you would picture when thinking of an English garden.Overall we would give them more stars if we could. We are looking forward to our next visit at the English Cottage Vacation.
Nathan and Laura have created a luxurious English cottage complete with beautiful gardens amazing food and drink comfortable rooms and well planned excursions. The pace of each day was perfect, leaving the cottage after a scrumptious breakfast to enjoy all the countryside has to offer, ruins castles small villages and a picnic lunch. We would return to a wonderful cocktail hour and then a gourmet three course dinner. The area was peaceful and many times we would take a walk before dinner to work off all that delicious food. Our hosts spoiled us completely, it was hard to leave.
Our week with English Cottage Vacations was a truly delightful experience.Hosts Nathan and Laura have curated an experience that allows guests to immerse in the English countryside, while relieving guests of the burdens of decision-making that travel often entails.Each day of the stay was planned to give guests a glimpse into the history, culture and picturesque beauty of the Dorset region. Nathan is the tour guide, chauffeur, and picnic host. On the daily excursions, we visited two to three different gems of the region, and at each location, we had plenty of time to explore and engage.Chef Laura prepared scrumptious breakfasts to start the day, and packed personalized lunches for our afternoon picnics. After each exciting day out and about, Laura welcomed us back to the cottage with snacks and drinks, and we took time to enjoy the cottage’s garden and snug to relax and reminisce on the day’s adventure.In the evening, dinner began with a visually stunning tablescape, matching the vibe of the menu to come. Chef Laura tailored her menus to incorporate traditional English fare with more modern dishes, and she accommodated each diner’s dietary needs and wants.Each aspect of the trip and the cottage itself has been crafted with the guests’ comfort and enjoyment in mind. The van is spacious and rides smoothly. The common spaces in the cottage (snug, garden room, gardens, etc.) are cozy and plush, inviting guests to sit a while. Our bedroom (the beehive room) was spacious, inviting and comfortable. But what made our time at Well Cottage truly exceptional was Nathan and Laura’s hospitable nature, their ability to anticipate guests needs and interests, and their sense of pride in sharing their very special part of the world with others.English Cottage Vacations, notably Nathan and Laura’s approach to hospitality, provided a travel experience unlike any other.
This is a very special vacation. Nathan and Laura do everything for you from the moment they pick you up to the moment they drop you off. Everything was well planned. Laura is an awesome chef and Nathan is the best driver tour guide we have ever encountered. They are both lovely patient hosts.
We visited Well Cottage in June with our family and it was easily one of the best vacations we have ever had. From the moment Nathan picked us up in the luxury vehicle, to the moment he dropped us off at Heathrow airport, we were completely spoiled. Nathan and Laura are outstanding hosts! They take so much time and effort to get to know their guests, and everything is done for you. Laura is an incredible cook, and every day that we had a picnic lunch, we were excited to unveil the little delectable treasures she had packed for us that day. The cottage is absolutely lovely, so quaint yet modern and every evening, we enjoyed experiencing the stunning garden and walking through the lovely country side. I cannot say enough good things about English Cottage Vacations, and I look forward to going back.
Do you want to be pampered and taken care like you are family? Do you want to relax and feel at home? This is the place to be. We ate delicious home cooked Michelin-worthy foods; were chauffeured to all the places we wanted to visit; AND we never had to pack and unpack every night OR stay in some impersonal hotel. It was a wonderful experience (our second time!).
This experience was by far the most all inclusive vacation I have ever experienced. From the moment I was arrived at LHR and transported to the charming cottage I was treated like royalty! Nathan and Laura are hosts extraordinaire. Everything and i mean literally everything was included with the exception of gifts I took home. This included, meals at the cottage and outside, alcohol, transportation, and tickets to venues. In addition they provided local cell phones so I kept my cell phone on airplane mode using WhatsApp when I had internet service (which they have in the van and the cottage). This is the first time I have been out of the country and never incurred international roaming fees!I was the inaugural visitor for their Winter Holiday stay. I am so happy I had the chance to experience this! With Laura as the chef every meal was a culinary delight. She and Nathan helped celebrate my December birthday in style along with a proper British Christmas Lunch. It was the first time I had ever experienced Christmas Crackers! They were so much fun I ordered some for my grandchildren for Christmas dinner ( you cannot transport these home on the plane. They have to be ordered stateside). A special treat was the "spa day" where I had a chance to relax and be pampered (all apart of the AIF).I loved this stay so much I have already planned a ladies trip for 2025. I can't wait to share my experience with my friends!
Hands down, the best vacation we’ve ever had. Nathan and Laura of English Cottage Vacation go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and cater to your every need. We had a group ranging from 8yrs old to folks in their 70’s. Somehow they structured our days to keep my two kids entertained, well fed and educated in a fun way every day. But the adults didn’t feel like they were on a kids trip either.Laura’s skills in the kitchen are as good, if not better, than any award winning restaurant in major cities. We had a few special requests including a Beef Wellington night and my daughter’s 11th birthday party and she knocked them both of the park!Nathan is your tour guide extraordinaire! We let him plan our entire stay and there wouldn’t be one thing we would change. As I said before he kept both the adults and kids entertained each day.Your accommodations will be welcoming, charming, comfortable and clean. We had the largest group they could accommodate and everyone had their own private space to relax and unwind each evening. The grounds are beautifully kept and we loved spending most dinners on their patio soaking in the fresh air and scent of their beautiful garden.We never repeat vacations as we always feel there’s more to see and experience, but I can say with confidence we will be back to spend more time with Nathan and Laura! Thank you two for such an amazingly unforgettable family vacation. 🤍
My stay at Well Cottage was exceptional. If you want to immerse yourself in the English culture and countryside there is no better place to do it then with Laura and Nathan as your guides. I could lists many things that I enjoyed but especially I enjoyed the Sunday we went to church in the their village, had a roast lamb dinner with mint sauce and vegetables from their garden, sat in their snug, with a fire, with the visiting West Highland terrier, Isla, at my feet. That memory will stay with me always. Another is my visit to Stourhead House and Garden a beautiful landscape garden which is a favorite. Nathan arranged for us to have a guided tour of the garden in a golf cart which was perfect! And later he set up a table and chairs near the garden for us to have a picnic lunch. How glorious it was to sit in this beautiful landscape to eat one of Laura’s delicious gourmet picnics. They are the perfect hosts, pampering is Laura’s forte and Nathan’s timing was perfect while shopping In Shaftesbury when he appeared to help carry packages back to the car. I can’t say enough about my experience there. You really have to experience it yourself to understand how perfect it was.
From the time that Nathan picked us up from the airport to the day sadly, we had to return home, this was an amazing vacation.Entering the cottage was like turning back the clock. So beautifully furnished and comfortable.Laura does a wonderful job of serving delicious elegant meals every day.Nathan manage our daily trips without rushing and with lots of information along the way. There was always a picnic basket on board filled with some of Laura’s culinary delights. We had several relaxing picnics along the way. We had picnics in a park, on the beach, in a field even in the van because it was too windy. So much fun to have the table all set with special china etc. and Nathan serving us.Our vacation was teamed with visits to several senior relatives that we had not seen in many years. Nathan planned our trips to see them and that picked us up later.Our second “special” day was an incredible lunch prepared by Laura at the cottage to celebrate our 61st wedding anniversary. Complete with a beautiful cake baked of course by Laura . Of cause there was champagne.Nathan and Laura have thought of everything .We had an amazing time and I hope to possibly take my grand children there one day to see the country their grandparents once live.Brenda and George LewisNapa California
The cottage was an experience of a lifetime for me. I wanted to visit England for many years now and this was the one worth waiting for. I'd give the hosts an extra Star for their hospitality and everything during my stay was of top notch quality. Beautiful surroundings and pleasant relaxation time at the Cottage made the visit extra special.
While we had visited England before, this was our first visit to Dorset. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience staying at Well Cottage. No detail was overlooked. The cottage is cozy but spacious, and the garden is beautiful and perfect for lounging or birdwatching. Laura is an amazing chef. She was able to create delicious meals with our differing tastes and my dietary restrictions. We did a bespoke package and Nathan organized an itinerary for us that incorporated our planned requests as well as seamlessly incorporating a couple of “oh while we’re here can we” requests. Nathan and Laura are the perfect hosts and are great company. They made sure our vacation was truly memorable.
An English Fairytale VacationI am an Anglophile…and an art historian with a focus on English art and architecture. Over the past forty years, I have traveled to England 24 times for both my profession as an academic museum curator and on vacation. England is the place I most love in all the world.In the spring of 2022 I was getting ready to retire from my university professorship when I ran across an advertisement in a magazine I take called Britain. It was for English Cottage Vacation. I was immediately intrigued with the information presented and began an email correspondence with you. I was so very pleased when as a single person I was able to join four other like-minded folks at Well Cottage from June 2 through 10, 2023.I chose the set itinerary because of the unique offerings of private tours and inclusions offered. Even though I had been to Highclere, Bath and Stonehenge before, the private tours provided by you far surpassed my earlier visits. The special guidance from Nathan offered during his marvelous drives around were a real highlight. An evening private tour if Stonehenge walking among the stones was amazing. The walking tour of Bath with an expert guide fulfilled all of my hopes for this visit. I discovered many places I wouldn’t have sought out on my own…this was especially true for the Jurassic Coast and Lulworth Cove.The quaint but luxurious cottage offered the lodging and comfort of a top hotel. The cuisine was beyond comparison and full of delightful and delicious surprises Laura included in all of her delectable creations.This week was truly an exceptional experience and exceeded all my expectations. Being privately ferried to all the sites in a luxurious vehicle, staying in one place without having to uproot every day or so and most of all the marvelous company of Laura and Nathan made this trip the highlight of all my England adventures.I have organized and accompanied tours to England but this experience was far and away the tops! Even the VIP reception at the American Embassy when the exhibition I curated (Victorian Fairy Painting) opened at the Royal Academy in 1997 pales in comparison.Sincerely,Pamela White
The last week of May 2024 was our second stay with Nathan and Laura at Well Cottage. While the weather was a little nicer when we visited last year, everything else about our visit was up to our hosts' usual high standards. Laura's meals were superb, and Nathan helled us develop an itinery different from but just as appealing as last year's. If you like good food, attractive surroundings, English history, and luxury, try Well Cottage. You won't be disappointed.
I just filled out the private survey that Nathan and Laura send to their guests after your stay. I literally could not think of one single thing they could have done better. I appreciate they're always striving to improve, but everything about our stay was perfect. On top of everything else they already do, they made our engagement at Highclere Castle perfect and Laura did a phenomenal job of decorating the cottage for our return and made an amazing dinner with an incredible cake. If you want an authentic trip to England and want to see the amazing countryside, villages and sights you just need to get to Heathrow. They take care of every possible detail from there.
I can't say enough good things about our stay at the English Cottage Vacations. Truly the most amazing way to experience England! Nathan and Laura are the perfect hosts. The food, cozy environment, and the hospitality were off the charts!!!! They take care of every detail, which eliminates all the stress of travelling abroad. Having your own personal driver and chef along with arrangements being made for each of our day trips made the trip so enjoyable. Nathan and Laura go above and beyond to make sure you experience the best England has to offer. We got to see things that only the locals know about. We didn't have to fight our way through crowds because they know all the secrets! They arrange for private yacht tours, private walking tours, and even the royal treatment at Highclere Castle when we got engaged during our stay. This was my very first time traveling abroad and I fell in love with the cottage, the country side and most of all our hosts Nathan and Laura! I would give them 100 stars, but I guess 5 stars will have to do!
Nathan and Laura work together to provide an incomparable and memorable week in the English countryside. This all-inclusive vacation feels like a visit with friends who share their charming cottage while acting as your chauffeur/butler and chef/housekeeper. Cottage rooms and gardens are lovely. Laura is a gourmet cook who prepares meals to meet guest preferences (provided in advance), and plates and services them beautifully. Nathan acts as chauffeur to take guides on outings (planned in advance with guest input) and makes the experiences seamless by making reservations and payments in advance. When returning home for lunch is inconvenient, Laura prepares a picnic lunch which Nathan sets up and serves in a beautiful setting. Travel is in a comfortable 8 passenger Mercedes van with Nathan pointing out sights and stopping for photo opportunities. The countryside offers castles, mansions with beautiful gardens, ancient ruins, Stonehenge, and lovely villages. The Jurassic coast is nearby and a power yacht cruise to see this area was a special treat. Pampering of guests even included bringing in two masseuses to provide massages on a quiet afternoon. Our group of six women are still raving about this experience!
The week I spent at Well Cottage cannot be compared to any other holiday I have ever taken. Laura and Nathan's hospitality surpassed anything I had previously experienced or expected from this trip. From my extremely comfortable bed, to the exquisite gourmet meals (picnics included), to our daily adventures, it all was superb. I was very sad when our week ended; a return visit is definitely called for.
The stay was fantastic, the lodging - quite comfortable, the food - out of this world, riding was very comfortable, the pace of the outings were on point. Nathan and Laura are very gracious and accommodating, sharing their love of region and country.If you can - just GO to their English Cottage, you will not be disappointed. Watch out for the blackberries and hedge warnings! 🙂
Tucked in the English countryside and the rolling hills and farmlands of Bedchester, Well Cottage is first class all the way! From the airport greeting and daily tours by Nathan to the awesome food by Laura, you will feel welcome in their home every day that you are there and likely wish you had booked extra time for your stay! The local area is full of history ready to visit from Stonehenge to the Jurassic Coast to more castles and stately mansions than there is time to explore. The accommodations are top rate and comfortable and the hospitality is unmatched!
Our English Cottage Vacation at Well Cottage truly exceeded our expectations in every way. Boy, did Nathan and Laura spoil us! We have stayed at five star Relais Chateaux before, but our week in the idyllic English countryside at Well Cottage with Nathan and Laura took the meaning of luxury and service to another level. They are consummate professionals who tended to our every need and want with good humor and smiles. Laura's gourmet cooking was always amazing. I don't know how she always pulled these meals off with such elegance in not only the food, but the artistry of the table settings themselves. Nathan's selection of wine was always spot on. Every meal was a scrumptious gastronomic feast for both the stomach and the eyes! Their yard was beautiful, and just relaxing in it was a lovely part of the whole week. There are so many places in it to sit, relax, read, watch/name the birds (Nathan's specialty!)We found ourselves exhaling our stress as soon as we got to the cottage. As hosts, Nathan and Laura are very skilled at being around when something is needed, and not being around when they sense you are just relaxing. Everything they do for you is done with caring and wanting to make sure you have everything to make your week warm, fuzzy, and luxurious! Our week at Well Cottage was tailor made to suit what we wanted to see and do. It was a magical combination of Nathan's chauffeuring us to sites we wanted to visit, Laura's elegant meals and picnics, watching the gorgeous sunset at Cranborne Chase, walking around the road and paths by the cottage, relaxing with a drink, bugging Laura while she is cooking (she was always welcoming to this!). We absolutely loved our stay at Well Cottage, and we can't thank Nathan and Laura enough for making our stay so special. It was truly much more than we had every hoped or thought it would be in every single way. Thank you to our new friends, Nathan and Laura, and for your talents in making Well Cottage the very special place it is. I am hoping Well Cottage will be in our future again.Judith K
Our family vacation (3 generations) at Well Cottage was fabulous. Well Cottage is a perfect example of a true English thatched cottage. Its location out in the countryside and its gardens invite one to relax after being out exploring. Nathan chauffeurs the Mercedes van expertly around the country lanes.Nathan and Laura pampered us and could not do enough for our relaxation and enjoyment.The gardens planted by Laura and her mother are watered by Nathan, they produce the huge variety of vegetables used by Laura in her culinary arts and to decorate the cottage rooms and tables. Chef Laura is outstanding. Each dinner had a theme with the table settings complimenting the cuisine. The meals were delicious and enjoyed by all our family. Our youngest member (10yrs.) enjoyed all the gourmet cuisine and gave Laura “two thumbs up” on a daily basis. No “kids menu for him”. Also, we ate elaborate picnic lunches with table, chairs and fine china on several days.From pickup, by Nathan, at the airport to final set down this was an exceptional vacation. Nathan and Laura are gracious hosts who deliver on all their promises.We hope to return.
A week at Well Cottage was a terrific holiday. We have traveled to many parts of the world and, while some adventures have been more exotic, none have surpassed the enjoyment of our vacation with Laura and Nathan. The meals prepared by Laura and the daily sightseeing planned by Nathan were exceptional. They both went above and beyond what we expected! Yes, it is an expensive vacation, but it is worth every penny. Book now, just do it and you will be delighted!!
What a positively awesome trip to the English countryside!Nathan and Laura, we felt so welcomed at Well Cottage. Your exceptional and unceasing attention to detail was extraordinary. Our richly flavorful and lavishly presented meals were a gastronomic delight – and chatting with Laura while she worked her magic in the kitchen was an enjoyable bonus. Our daily sightseeing adventures with Nathan were thoughtfully customized based on our pre-travel communications, and included a number of experiences that were certainly new to us. Who knew that the Shaftesbury Food Festival could be so much fun?!We can’t think of a prior trip where we’ve felt so richly satisfied and fulfilled with our entire experience. You two are exceptional! For anyone looking for a thoroughly relaxing, restorative and satisfying getaway, this is it!
