Welcome to Honeysuckle Cottage
Thank you for choosing Honeysuckle Cottage for your stay.
We hope you settle in quickly, make yourself at home and enjoy everything West Lulworth and the Jurassic Coast have to offer.
Honeysuckle is a lovingly restored, traditional thatched cottage, more than 300 years old, and we’ve tried to make it feel like a comfortable home rather than simply somewhere to stay.
We’ve put together this handbook with the practical things you might need during your visit, along with a few useful tips for making the most of your time here.
You don’t need to read it all — it’s here whenever you need it.
If there’s anything you need that isn’t covered here, please just get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
Have a wonderful stay.
Victoria & Darren
Before you arrive
Cottage address
Honeysuckle Cottage
20 Main Road
West Lulworth
Dorset
BH20 5RL
Arriving by car
There is private parking immediately beside the cottage.
If you arrive before check-in, you’re welcome to park from 12 noon and head off to explore the village while the cottage is being prepared.
Check-in is from 4pm. We’re unable to offer early check-in as our housekeeper needs sufficient time to prepare the cottage properly between guests. We really appreciate your understanding.
Arriving by train
The nearest station is Wool, approximately 10 minutes from West Lulworth by taxi.
There is a bus stop at Wool station, although services are limited. Mobile phone reception can also be patchy around West Lulworth, so we’d recommend pre-booking a taxi once you know your arrival time.
Garrison Cars: 01929 463395
Bus services change from time to time, so please check the latest timetable before travelling.
Arriving at Honeysuckle Cottage
Check-in
Check-in is from 4pm.
Your digital lock code will be sent to you in the days before your arrival.
To operate the digital lock
- Tap the keypad screen with the palm of your hand.
- Enter your six-digit code.
- Press the
*button.
Then you’re home.
If you need us
We live abroad but have UK mobile numbers, so you may occasionally hear an international dialling tone when calling us. This is completely normal.
Victoria: 07462 389789
Darren: 07828 285154
Email: stay@honeysucklecottagewestlulworth.co.uk
We’re happy to help by phone, message or WhatsApp.
A few things to know about the cottage
Honeysuckle Cottage is a traditional stone cottage, probably more than 300 years old, which has been lovingly restored and updated for modern living.
Because of its age and construction, it doesn’t have conventional double glazing or gas central heating. Instead, we’ve provided secondary glazing, underfloor heating, radiators and electric log burners to keep you comfortable.
We simply ask that you switch heating off or turn it down when you’re heading out for the day. Thank you for helping us use energy thoughtfully.
Keeping warm
Underfloor heating
There is underfloor heating downstairs and in the bathroom.
During the colder months it is programmed to come on twice a day. If you’d like to adjust the temperature, use the up and down buttons on the display.
Please don’t switch the heating off at the wall.
If you’re having any problems, just contact us and we can help adjust the heating remotely.
Electric log burners
The electric log burners can be operated using either the remote control or the controls on the unit.
If the vapouriser needs topping up, please use the softened water from the bathroom.
Radiators
There are wall-mounted radiators in the bedroom and snug.
These aren’t on timers, so simply switch them on when you need them and off again when you don’t.
There’s also an oil-filled radiator in the bedroom which can be moved if required, although it’s rarely needed.
The kitchen
The kitchen is compact but well equipped, with Smeg appliances and everything you should need for a relaxed self-catering stay.
You’ll find:
- Induction hob
- Oven
- Fridge with ice box
- Integrated dishwasher
- Microwave
- Slow cooker
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Pots, pans and frying pans
- Cafetière
- Ice bucket
- Lazy Susan for snacks and sharing platters
We provide dishwasher tablets, cleaning spray, cloths and bin bags, as well as Land&Water hand wash and moisturiser.
Where is the toaster?
There simply isn’t room for it on the kitchen worktop!
You’ll find the toaster in the cupboard by the front door, along with lots of other useful bits and pieces.
The main crockery is in the cupboard underneath the microwave.
Oven
The oven timer needs to be switched on to your desired cooking time before the oven will operate.
The instruction manual is available online from Smeg if you need it.
Induction hob
The hob is induction, so please use the pans provided.
Induction hobs won’t work with some materials, including aluminium, copper, glass/ceramic and some stainless-steel cookware.
Tea, coffee & a little treat
We provide a selection of Dorset teas, sugar and milk, along with Nespresso coffee pods.
There should be plenty for a weekend stay, although longer stays may require you to top up your supply.
And, of course, we’ve left you some Dorset-made biscuits to enjoy with your first cup of tea or coffee.
Nespresso capsules
If you empty the Nespresso machine, please put the used capsules in the recycling container under the sink.
We send the capsules away for recycling, so thank you for helping us with this.
Bathroom & hot water
The hot water is on constantly.
There is enough hot water for two normal showers, although it is supplied from a hot water cylinder and isn’t unlimited. If you enjoy particularly long showers, you may need to allow some time for the cylinder to heat up again.
Important
Please do not switch on the socket on the ceiling outside the bathroom with the red indicator light.
The red light indicates that the heater is switched on.
Bathroom fan
The bathroom fan runs continuously as part of the cottage’s planning requirements.
It makes a quiet hum and unfortunately can’t be switched off. You may notice it more when the bathroom door is open, but it shouldn’t cause any real nuisance.
Towels & toiletries
We provide:
- Hand towels
- Bath/body towels
- Flannels
- Land&Water shampoo
- Land&Water conditioner
- Land&Water shower wash
- Land&Water facial wash
- Land&Water hand wash
- Land&Water moisturiser
The first set of towels is on the bathroom rail and the second set is in the right-hand cupboard of the vanity unit.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi details can be found on the poster in the lounge.
We’ll also send the details before check-in along with your key safe code.
A few important things
Our thatched roof
Honeysuckle Cottage has a traditional thatched roof, so fire safety is particularly important to us.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside the cottage or beneath the eaves on the pathway to the back garden.
If you smoke outside, please do so well away from the cottage and roof and make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.
Thatch fires can spread extremely quickly and could put not only our cottage but neighbouring properties at risk.
For everyone’s safety, we take this rule very seriously.
Candles and naked flames
Please do not light candles or use anything else involving a naked flame anywhere in or around the cottage.
Thank you for helping us keep Honeysuckle Cottage and our neighbours safe.
Electric vehicles and electric bikes
Unfortunately, the cottage isn’t suitable for charging electric vehicles or electric bikes because of the increased fire risk associated with the property.
Please do not plug an EV charging cable into the cottage.
There is an EV charging facility approximately 100 metres away at The Limestone Hotel, which operates via an app.
First aid
A basic first-aid kit can be found in the right-hand drawer of the unit closest to the front door.
If you use anything from the kit, please let us know so that we can replace it.
We’d also appreciate you letting us know about any accidents or injuries during your stay.
Rubbish & recycling
If you need to empty the bins during your stay, you’ll find the wheelie bins outside on the driveway.
There are bins for all four cottages. Ours are clearly labelled No. 20.
Please use the appropriate bins for general household waste and recycling.
Our housekeeper takes care of putting the bins out for collection.
Post
If any post arrives during your stay, please leave it on the dresser and we’ll take care of it.
Living in West Lulworth
The Lulworth Army Range
Honeysuckle Cottage is very close to the Army barracks and training area, so you may occasionally hear military training activity.
Firing can sometimes take place late into the evening, particularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except during August. You may hear some loud bangs depending on where training is taking place and the wind direction.
This is a normal part of living in West Lulworth.
If you’re planning to walk across the Lulworth Range, please check the current access arrangements and firing times before setting off. The range walks are only open at certain times.
Exploring the area
One of the great things about staying at Honeysuckle Cottage is how easy it is to explore the Jurassic Coast.
Lulworth Cove is around a 10-minute walk from the cottage and there are walks, beaches, places to eat and plenty of things to see within easy reach.
If you’re driving to Lulworth Cove or Durdle Door, the Lulworth Estate parking ticket can also be used at the other estate car parks, including Lulworth Castle.
Parking charges can change, so it’s worth checking the current information before travelling.
We’ve also put together guides to some of our favourite local walks, beaches, places to eat and things to do.
You’ll find these on our website, along with current information about access to the Lulworth Range.
Eating & drinking
West Lulworth can get very busy, particularly at weekends and during school holidays, and local pubs and restaurants can fill up quickly.
If you have a particular restaurant or time in mind, we’d recommend booking ahead.
We’ve put together a guide to some of our favourite local places to eat and drink.
If you’re happy to drive for around 20 minutes, you might also enjoy:
- The Countryman Inn, East Knighton
- The Sailors Return, Chaldon Herring
- Rockfish, Weymouth
Local Discount Codes
The Saltwater Sauna discount codes:
Use HONEYSUCKLEPRIVATE for 10% off private saunas Monday to Sunday
Use HONEYSUCKLECOMMUNAL for 10% off communal saunas Monday to Friday
During your stay
We really want you to enjoy your time here.
If something isn’t quite right, please tell us while you’re staying with us rather than waiting until you leave. We’ll always do our best to put things right and make your stay as comfortable as possible.
And if you’ve had a wonderful stay, we’d be delighted if you’d consider leaving us a five-star review.
Your feedback means a huge amount to us and helps other guests discover Honeysuckle Cottage too.
We’d love to see your photos
If you take any lovely photos during your stay, we’d love to see them.
Tag us on Instagram:
@HoneysuckleCottageWestLulworth
or use:
#HoneysuckleCottageWestLulworth
We also share local events, ideas and things happening around West Lulworth, so feel free to follow us before or during your stay.
Before you leave
Check-out is by 11am.
Before you leave, please make sure you’ve taken all your belongings and left the cottage reasonably tidy.
If anything has been damaged or isn’t working properly, please let us know. We’d much rather know so that we can sort it out for the next guests.
Thank you for looking after Honeysuckle Cottage.
Finally…
Thank you again for choosing Honeysuckle Cottage.
We hope you enjoy slow mornings, coastal walks, good food, cosy evenings and everything that makes West Lulworth such a special place to stay.
If there’s anything you need, just ask.
Have a wonderful stay.
Victoria & Darren
