Recent statistics from leading property specialists, holidaycottages.co.uk show a surge in interest for breaks in the chocolate box county of Dorset since the release of the hit film The Imitation Game and presence of the actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

With Dorset now being a go-to location for many TV and film projects, there has been a staggering increase in searches and bookings for Dorset, reported by holidaycottages.co.uk. Since the launch of The Imitation Game in November 2014, searches for Dorset holidays have increased 15.4 per cent, but more impressively bookings have increased yearly by 23.1 per cent, along with an increase of 9.34 per cent in visitors to their Dorset web page. The coastal areas of Dorset are proving to be most popular with this sector being up 134.10 per cent from the previous year.

According to a poll commissioned by holidaycottages.co.uk one in five British women would like to spend a cosy break with The Imitation Game star, Benedict Cumberbatch. Although you may not be lucky enough to explore the area with the UK's ideal celebrity romantic getaway partner, checking out his frequented areas with your own loved one is an opportunity not to be missed.

James Morris, Managing Director of holidaycottages.co.uk commented:
“Dorset has so much to explore and we are so pleased to see it finally getting the recognition it deserves in the South West. With so many of the backdrops of TV and film currently being sought out in Dorset you can't go too far without spotting a landscape you recognise.”

The Market town of Sherborne in Dorset, in particular; is no stranger to fame and fortune, home to Sherborne School, the set for the film starring Cumberbatch as the Second World War code breaker, Alan Turing. Turing attended Sherborne School from 1926 and film crews were on location in November 2013 filming scenes depicting his boyhood years. The scenic and breath-taking town has seen tourists flock to this beautiful place to sample the big screen delights for themselves.

With authors and film makers alike finding inspiration around the Dorset coast and countryside, discover the areas they called home and the locations that inspired their work for yourself. Visit www.holidaycottages.co.uk/dorset for more information.

About holidaycottages.co.uk

An award-winning national business, holidaycottages.co.uk specialises in letting holiday properties all across the UK including dog-friendly cottages, family properties and romantic, group and accessible holidays. Holidaycottages.co.uk let everything from cosy barn conversions on working farms, to grand mansions and country houses sleeping multiple numbers of guests.

Notes to editor:

• Holidaycottages.co.uk is an independent company and features 2,000 self-catering properties in popular holiday destinations across the UK.
• Winners of the Best Medium Holiday Cottage Booking Company 2014 at the British Travel Awards.
• The company offers a high standard of personally inspected holiday cottages which can be booked online via their user-friendly website, or over the phone with their Reservations Team.
• The company has been working with the Green Tourism Business Scheme – a nationally recognised scheme organised by Visit Britain – and currently hold the Gold award.

For more press information or hi-res images contact:
Emma Southcombe on 01237 459 809 or email esouthcombe@holidaycottages.co.uk