On Thursday 26th February, Dream Cottages hosted their annual Holiday Let Insights event at the magnificent Kingston Maurward College. The event brought together holiday homeowners, prospective investors and industry professionals for an informative and engaging afternoon focused on the evolving holiday let and property markets across Dorset.
We were delighted to attend as special guest speakers, with Swanage Manager Mark Cornell joined by Portland Manager Michael Clarke and Dorchester Manager Beth Williams-Brian (pictured). Together, the team delivered a comprehensive property market update, highlighting the exceptionally strong start to 2026 across all three branches. Early activity levels, buyer enquiries and agreed sales figures indicate renewed confidence and sustained demand, particularly within the coastal and lifestyle-driven markets that continue to attract both local and national purchasers.
During the presentation, Mark shared several compelling statistics. Notably, throughout 2025, over 70% of property purchases in Swanage were made by second homeowners. This figure is particularly significant given the introduction of Dorset Council’s double council tax ruling on second homes. Despite legislative changes, demand for coastal and lifestyle properties remains resilient, underlining the enduring appeal of the area as both an investment location and a personal retreat.
The Hull Gregson Hull team also provided valuable insight into their comprehensive marketing strategy, designed to maximise exposure and achieve the best possible results for sellers. Each property benefits from a tailored marketing approach, which may include:
- Immersive 3D Virtual Tours
- Professional photography
- Detailed RICS-compliant floor plans
- Drone photography and videography
- Premium Listings on Rightmove
- Advertising across additional major portals such as Zoopla, OnTheMarket and PrimeLocation
By combining cutting-edge digital presentation with extensive online reach, this multi-channel strategy ensures properties are showcased to the widest possible audience, both locally and nationally.
The event was a fantastic opportunity to welcome existing holiday homeowners as well as those considering entering the holiday let market. Attendees benefited not only from our property market overview but also from insightful presentations delivered by the teams at Dream Cottages and Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Dream Cottages shared fascinating data-driven insights to help owners optimise bookings and enhance property appeal. Their research into online search behaviour revealed the most frequently used criteria by holidaymakers when browsing for accommodation:
- Pet Friendly
- Hot Tubs
- Large Properties
- Sea Views
- Swimming Pools
- WiFi
- Garden / Outside Space
- EV Charging Points
These trends highlight the increasing importance of lifestyle features, comfort, and sustainability in driving booking decisions. Understanding such preferences enables property owners to make informed investment choices and remain competitive in an evolving marketplace.
Overall, the Holiday Let Insights event proved to be both informative and inspiring. It reinforced the strength of the local property market, the continued demand for second homes and holiday lets, and the importance of strategic marketing and data-led decision-making. We were proud to contribute to such a well-attended and professionally delivered event and look forward to continuing to support homeowners across Swanage, Portland and Dorchester throughout the year ahead.
