Southbourneholidaylets

15/06/2026

🍏 Some traditions are baked into every stay…

Since 2018, every guest arrival at Southbourne Holiday Lets has been welcomed with a homemade Dorset Apple Cake 🥮.

I’ve lost count over the years, but it’s somewhere beyond 700 cakes… possibly close to 1,000. 🍏

🍏 🥮 ☕ 🥛

Every stay begins with a welcome hamper tailored to your visit — always including:
🥮 homemade Dorset Apple Cake
☕ Dorset Tea
🥛 fresh milk in the fridge (perfect for that first cuppa after the journey)

The rest of the hamper is personalised, and our dog guests 🐾 even get their own welcome too.

Over time, the cake has become part of the experience itself. Every guest receives the recipe to take home, and many tell us they’ve baked it again long after their holiday.

🍏 Have you ever tried Dorset Apple Cake?

🥮 Would you bake it at home after your stay?

15/06/2026

A little Southbourne Holiday Let’s tradition is baked into every stay 🍏 🥮

Since welcoming our very first guests in 2018, I’ve baked a homemade Dorset Apple Cake for every arrival at Southbourne Holiday Lets.

I’ve completely lost count over the years, but it’s definitely more than 700 cakes by now – and quite possibly closer to 1,000! 🥮

Every guest arrives to a welcome hamper tailored to their stay. There are always a few essentials waiting for them: a freshly baked Dorset Apple Cake 🥮, Dorset Tea ☕ and fresh milk in the fridge 🥛, ready for that first cuppa after the journey.

The rest of the hamper is personalised according to the length of stay and who is visiting. And because holidays are for every member of the family, our four-legged guests receive a welcome hamper too. 🐾

Over the years, the cake 🥮 has become something of a tradition. Many guests tell me it’s one of the first things they look forward to when they arrive, and every guest receives a copy of the recipe to take home.

One of the nicest things is hearing from guests who have baked the recipe for family and friends after their stay, and who tell me they look forward to another slice when they return.

🍏 Have you ever tried Dorset Apple Cake?

🥮 Have you made our recipe at home?

✨ Fancy experiencing it for yourself? Book your stay with Southbourne Holiday Lets and enjoy a homemade welcome (and your own slice of Dorset tradition) on arrival.

12/06/2026

If you’ve stayed with us before then you will very likely have visited Sobo Beach ( or if not then it’s a must for next time). These Friday evenings also look well worth a visit over the summer months 🌅🎵

Every Friday night we have musicians playing the chill acoustic followed by a DJ, stay late and watch the sun go down 😎

12/06/2026

🐾 Day off today, so we’ve headed a short distance into the New Forest for a walk along the old railway line at Holmsley.

The trail follows part of the historic “Castleman’s Corkscrew” railway, which opened in 1847 and once carried steam trains through the Forest 🚂. Today it’s a beautiful, peaceful route for walkers, cyclists and dogs.

Finished the morning with a delicious dog-friendly brunch at the tea rooms in the old station house ☕🐶🍳

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BEzbzGcUM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Perfect start to the day! 🌳✨

🐾☕🚂🌲

12/06/2026

Late Summer Availability | Just 4 Dates Left which Include School Holidays ☀️

Award winning Hengistbury Reach has been fully booked throughout spring & summer, and now we have just FOUR stays remaining across July and August.

If you’ve still not booked your summer escape, this could be your last opportunity.

Picture yourself here…

🏡 A bright, spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area designed for sociable holidays with family or friends.

🌿 Throw open the patio doors and step straight onto the raised deck. Fire up the barbecue, cook pizzas in the pizza oven, enjoy long alfresco meals and relax in the outdoor seating area while soaking up the summer sunshine.

💦 As evening arrives, step down to the lower deck and unwind in the stunning feature-lit whirlpool bath hot tub.

🐾 The fully enclosed garden offers both sunny and shaded areas, plus a lawn for children and dogs to enjoy safely.

🏖️ And then there’s the location…

Just a short walk from beautiful beaches, the river, stunning coastal walks, watersports, nature reserves, cafés, pubs and fantastic places to eat and drink. It’s the perfect base for making the most of summer on the Dorset coast.

🛏 Hengistbury Reach sleeps up to 5 adults (maximum 4 adults)

🛏 Super king master bedroom
🛏 Flexible second bedroom with king or twin beds, plus a single sofa bed
👶 Travel cot can be accommodated in either bedroom
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family friendly
🐾 Dog friendly
💦 whirlpool bath hot tub
🍕 Barbecue & pizza oven
🌿 Secure garden
🏖 Walk to beaches, river, cafés and restaurants

Imagine beach days, riverside walks, family BBQs, pizza nights on the deck and relaxing in the hot tub after a day by the sea.

📅 Only FOUR summer dates remain.

Once they’re gone.

👉 Book Your Summer Escape Today. Later dates also available to view on website

https://southbourneholidaylets.com/hengistburyreach/

11/06/2026

✨ POV: No compromises. ✨

🏡 Secure garden
🐾 Year-round dog-friendly beaches
🌊 Riverside walks
🌳 Countryside trails
🛁 Hot tub

When "dog-friendly" actually means dog-friendly.

At Hengistbury Reach, you and your dog(s) can enjoy long summer beach days ☀️, sunset strolls 🌅 and relaxing evenings in the hot tub 🛁 , then return for autumn adventures 🍂, winter coastal walks ❄️ and spring escapes 🌸.

📅 Available to book all year round.

📍 Southbourne, Dorset

🐶 Ready for your dog's favourite holiday yet?

https://southbourneholidaylets.com/hengistburyreach/

10/06/2026

Why are we so obsessed about beds at Hengistbury Reach? 🛏️

Well, it starts with the fact that I’m 5ft 11in and Nigel is a towering 6ft 5in tall! 📏😄

If you’re tall, you’ll understand. We’ve spent too many holidays with our feet pressed against foot boards, in beds so narrow we could barely move, or lying awake in beds with squeaky metal frames that creaked every time we rolled over, and wondering why we’d come back more tired than when we left! That’s exactly why we decided beds would never be compromised on at Hengistbury Reach.

Of course, you don’t have to be tall to appreciate a great bed. There’s something wonderfully indulgent about climbing into a spacious, comfortable bed on holiday and having room to properly stretch out and relax 😌✨ After all, you are on holiday 🌊🏖️. A great night’s sleep shouldn’t be a luxury , it should be part of the experience.

That’s why our ground-floor master bedroom features a Vispring Super King size bed (200cm long x 180cm wide) with no foot board ensuring plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy a genuinely comfortable night’s sleep. (The main bathroom is right next door too, so also making it ideal for guests who prefer to avoid stairs or have limited mobility).

Upstairs, we’ve made sure nobody gets the “second best” room. The bedroom can be configured as either a King size bed (200cm long x 150cm wide) or Twin room thanks to the zip-and-link bed, and there’s also a single sofa bed. There is also the option to add travel cot into either bedroom. A second toilet upstairs is also a handy addition. So whether you’re two couples, friends holidaying together or a family, everyone gets plenty of space and comfort.

We created Hengistbury Reach around the things that matter most to us when we travel, and it turns out they’re the things many of our guests value too. Space to stretch out, comfort, quality and a great night’s sleep 😴💛

It’s why we’re always delighted to see so many familiar names returning year after year.

Because after a day enjoying Southbourne beach, Hengistbury Head or the New Forest 🌿, there’s nothing better than sinking into a bed that’s designed for a truly restful night’s sleep.

If you appreciate quality beds, room to stretch out and waking up refreshed, Hengistbury Reach could be just the place for your next coastal escape 🌅

09/06/2026

🎭 Plan a Break, Catch a Show

We’re so fortunate to have two fantastic venues nearby, the Bournemouth Pavilion and the BIC, bringing everything from top Music to Comedy & West End touring musicals. There’s even a fantastic annual Panto ( Aladdin this year) throughout the Christmas season offering a magical family treat (we’ve already got our tickets!).

We had a brilliant time watching Beverley Knight last night.

If you’re planning a visit to the coast, why not time your stay around a show and make a great night out part of your holiday?

Check out what’s coming and when
Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
bournemouthinternationalcentre

Need a babysitter or dog sitter while you’re out enjoying the entertainment? Just let us know when you book — we can often help. ✨🎶🎭🐾👶🏻🎄

06/06/2026

UK Small Business Week ends tomorrow.

All week, the country has been rallying behind brilliant small businesses like ours.

Small businesses are the backbone of this country. Creating the jobs, serving our communities, supporting local families, bringing life to our high streets, and keeping money moving in the real economy.

So if you’ve been meaning to support a small business this week, this is your final reminder.

Instead of defaulting to a massive online corporation, choose a small business.

Pop into an independent shop.

Book with someone local.

Order from a small producer.

Leave a review.

Recommend a business you love.

And if you’d like to support us, our Small Business Week offer is: £50 off remaining summer 2026 dates

You can claim it by: Using promocode SUMMER on our website or by contacting us directly

https://southbourneholidaylets.com

Thank you to everyone who has supported us this week, and every week, by booking, visiting, sharing, reviewing or recommending us. It genuinely makes a difference.

Our Small Business Week offer must end tomorrow (Sunday 7th June) - so don't delay!"

Two beautifully presented holiday homes near Southbourne beaches, known for quality, comfort, attention to detail and excellent guest reviews.

05/06/2026

Loving this… come and explore Hengistbury Head for yourselves 💙