Most holidaymakers expect rented holiday homes to contain a dishwasher. It might not appear as essential in very small one bedroom properties for two people because it may take a little time to accumulate enough dirty dishes to fill it but it is still nice not to have to wash dishes by hand on holiday.
The modern emphasis in self-catering holidays is that of extra comfort and freedom. Not being tied to fixed meal times as one is in a hotel allows people to enjoy their days out without constraint. You can spend as long as it takes to walk the beach at West Bay or watch the swans at Abbotsbury – be relaxed during your Dorset break.
You may discover a Dorset pub that is full of character and offers the kind of menu that you enjoy. Stay and dine, or if you already have food prepared in the fridge of your Dorset cottage, choose to return. At least you can just load the dishwasher and let it do the hard work.