I finally made it to Cedar 1 in Lyme Regis after what felt like the scenic route from hell – or at least from the M5. We'd packed the car with enough crisps and squash to survive a siege, the kids buzzing in the back like they'd mainlined Haribo, and me at the wheel, smugly tapping away to a podcast about Dorset's smuggling past. Then, about 20 minutes from the cottage, disaster struck: a rogue seagull decided my windscreen was its personal canvas. Splat! Right across the view, courtesy of what looked like half a chip shop's worth of lunch. We pulled over near Charmouth, laughing hysterically as I scraped it off with a Costa cup – nothing says 'relaxed family holiday' like your dad looking like he's auditioning for a horror film.

By the time we trundled down the narrow lanes to Cedar 1, the sun was dipping low over the Jurassic Coast, painting everything in that golden light that makes you forget minor bird-related traumas. The cottage is tucked away in a peaceful spot just a short stroll from Lyme Regis town centre – close enough to wander into for fish and chips, but far enough to feel like your own little hideaway. It's one of those classic coastal lodges: wooden cladding that creaks welcomingly, a pitched roof, and a front porch perfect for dumping sandy wellies. We parked up on the drive, unloaded the chaos, and stepped inside, hit by that instant 'ahh' of holiday homeliness.

First impressions? Bloody brilliant. The open-plan living area is cosy without being cramped – think squishy sofas in neutral tones, a wood-burning stove begging for a fire (we didn't light it yet, but oh, the promise), and a telly mounted just right for lazy evenings. The kitchen's a dream for a family of four: compact but kitted out with everything from a proper cafetière to a slow cooker for tomorrow's stew. I cracked open a bottle of local Cider Farm finest while the other half sorted the kids' bags, and we all piled onto the sofa with cups of tea, peering out the bifold doors at the garden. It's not huge, but it's private, with a patio table, a couple of loungers, and grass that leads to a fenced play area – ideal for the little ones to burn off that car journey energy without us yelling 'don't go near the road!'

Upstairs, the bedrooms are snug as a bug: our double has a comfy king-size bed with crisp white sheets and views over the rooftops towards the sea (you can just glimpse the Cobb on a clear day). The twins' room has bunks that had them whooping like lottery winners, and there's a cheeky single for guests or overflow toys. The bathroom's modern enough – powerful shower, fluffy towels – no faffing about with dodgy caravans here. We unpacked amid the usual lodge-life pandemonium: someone tipped a bag of shells from Charmouth beach all over the floor (gathered en route, naturally), and the youngest declared the bunk ladder her new kingdom, refusing to come down for supper.

As the evening unwound, we ambled the five-minute walk into Lyme Regis, grabbing pasties from the bakery on Broad Street and ice creams from the van by the harbour. Back at Cedar 1, we ate on the patio under fairy lights, the kids chasing each other round the garden while gulls wheeled overhead – minus any deposits this time. Sitting there, pint in hand, watching the sunset bleed pink across the bay, I had one of those quiet moments. You know, the kind where you realise life's simple pleasures – a decent cottage, salty air, family giggles amid the mess – are what recharge the batteries. We've only just arrived, but already Cedar 1 feels like the perfect base for pottering along fossil-strewn beaches, exploring the Undercliff, or just doing bugger all. Three days of this? Can't come soon enough.