About Us
Wayside Cottages began in the 1920's, as six wooden chalets, at the vanguard of the short-lived “Bexington-on-Sea” development, with its seaside lido, restaurant and club. Managed for over 50 years by Mr and Mrs Marshall, Wayside passed into the hands of my parents, Arthur and Josephine Pearse in 1984. Farming in the village and founding Tamarisk Farm in the early 60's, they dedicated their lives to low impact, organic and eco-friendly farming, becoming renowned for their pioneering and inclusive approach. They enjoyed applying these principles and methods with the opportunity for people to blend holidays with farm life, slowly improving the gardens and rebuilding three of the cottages in stone.
After some years of living both abroad and in Devon, Sue and I returned to the village in 2008, to help manage the cottages and becoming trustees soon afterwards. We have since tried to follow my parent's ethos, whilst expanding our available accommodation to include a shepherd’s hut, camping and B&B and are now also able to host weddings, courses, and events.
Location
Wayside Cottages sit in gardens on the edge of West Bexington, overlooking the world-famous Chesil Beach, celebrated for its beauty, fishing, wildlife, and geological significance. From here, panoramic views sweep from Portland to East Devon, showcasing the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, which runs 96 miles from Swanage to Exmouth. The South West Coast Path offers the best way to explore it. Nestled between Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury, West Bexington slopes gently to the unspoilt Chesil Beach. On clear days, you can see from Portland Bill to distant Start Point in Devon, with Golden Cap, Devon’s red cliffs and even the heights of Dartmoor visible in between.
Gardens and Rewilding
The gardens and environment are home to a wealth of bird-life, insects, moths and butterflies. The wild flower gardens have been designed and maintained to promote biodiversity and to avoid too much mowing, cutting, organisation and cultivation, but this still takes a lot of work! You will notice that the lawn is kept tidy near the cottages, but where possible, allowed to grow more freely with pathways between mown lawns. Nettles, brambles and thistles and many other plants often seen as weeds, are allowed to grow, for the benefits they bring to butterflies and caterpillars and other insects and wildlife. As you wander around the gardens, you may be surprised to see many interesting and rare birds, butterflies and insects as well as deer, foxes, stoats and hedgehogs, especially in the early morning or at dusk.
Tamarisk Farm
Tamarisk Organic Farm is a family farm above the Chesil Beach on the beautiful Jurrasic Coast of Dorset. It was amongst the first farms certified by the Soil Association and has grown wholesome, organic food in West Bexington since 1960. Farm activities now include a farm shop, public engagement, open days and farm walks, in addition to continuing to work with nature to produce sustainable and ethical food for people and planet.