With just two weeks until Christmas, and a week's annual leave left to take, the choices were simple: a, Stay home and hit the shops, blowing even more money on Christmas gifts we couldn't afford, or b, go away somewhere for a week.

It was what Americans might call a 'No Brainer'.

Call me strange, but I love the seaside out of season, and a cottage by the sea seemed an appealing and economical way to get away from the festive mayhem.

Arriving at Dairy Cottage, in Lower Eype, Dorset, I knew we'd made a good choice.

Just a couple of miles outside the bustling town of Bridport, Eype, and the adjoining Lower Eype, are picture postcard pretty. A mix of old fishermen's cottages and converted barns and other farm buildings, there is a pub, The New Inn, a caravan park, a small hotel and a beach just 10 minutes walk away.

We booked the cottage through www.cottages4you.co.uk, or call 08700 782100.

The cottage was illustrated with an artist's impression in the brochure, which felt like a bit of a gamble. But this was because the conversion was only completed in July and we were pleased with our choice.

As the name suggests, the property was formerly a cowshed.

Now it's an immaculate one-storey conversion, with a vaulted ceiling and all mod-cons, including dishwasher, washing machine and two, modern, ensuite shower rooms.

Oh, and to the dog's delight, a large and beautifully landscaped garden, completely dog-safe, thanks to a five-bar gate and fencing.

After a first day of heavy rain - and making use of the cottage's film and board game collection, the pre-Christmas fog lifted and the sun came out - and it stayed out!

Our first outing took us just a few miles away, to the tiny harbour village of West Bay.

It's hard to imagine now, but within a few hours, we literally forgot it was December.

The sun on the water, a bright blue sky and walking in the chilly air, wrapped up warm, was just heaven.

Of course, the seaside in December isn't as bustling as it is in peak season, and some of the pubs, shops and restaurants we came across had limited opening hours.

The days on a winter break are also shorter too.

But that didn't stop us enjoying some lovely days and some great local food, including lots of fresh fish.

About 10 miles along the coast road from Eype is the quaint town of Lyme Regis.

Here we parked by the harbour and walked along the front, watching brave surfers take advantage of the seasonally high waves.

Our one-year-old daughter also plopped around on the sandy beach, in rain mac and boots instead of swimsuit, but she didn't seem to mind.

Stopping in a harbour side pub, we sat by the fire and just drank in the atmosphere.

Surprisingly, there seemed to be quite a few tourists around and I wondered whether they were walkers or even fossil collectors - this was the Jurassic coast after all - and despite it being out of season, fossil trips were advertised in all the towns and villages.

Instead of ice creams, people were enjoying mulled wine, fresh crab sandwiches and homemade seafood soup. And the seafront homes opposite had Christmas trees in their windows.

In the opposite direction to Lyme Regis is Weymouth. And I was struck by how much this town had changed since I had visited as a child.

The old seafront and promenade were there. But this had also been joined by a bustling shopping centre with all the shops you could need. And the warehouse quarter, which had lain empty for decades, had been transformed into a warren of little cafes, restaurants and shops.

In fact, there was so much to see, we went back to Weymouth again during our week away.

When we weren't out exploring the nearby seaside towns in our car - and our travels also took in Beer, Branscombe and even Sidmouth, across the border in Devon - we also had the sea literally on our doorstep.

Just a few minutes stroll from Dairy Cottage and we were on windswept Eype Beach, with its crashing waves and imposing skies.

For walkers, the Dorset coast is an adventure trail of pathways, and the cliff tops above us were often dotted with waterproof-wearing explorers.

We came home from Dorset the week before Christmas. But for a few days, before the festive mania gripped us once more, we were still by the sea in sunny Dorset.

Who knows, maybe we'll save a week's holiday for a pre-festive escape this year. What better Christmas present than that?

For further information, call 08700 782 100 or log onto the website www.cottages4you.co.uk