In the English West Country, Dorset is an undeveloped area with no cities. What Dorset has are the most picturesque countryside as well as breathtaking coastal landscapes that comprise the Jurassic Coast, which is a UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast.
No matter where you go, there’s always something unique to look at in the vicinity. In the ocean are awe-inspiring ports, gorgeous beaches with sand, huge rock formations, and natural wonders such as Durdle Door.
The capital of fossil hunting in England is Here, exciting discoveries can be found with just a bit of patience.\ In the interior are abbeys, castles and stately residences, some of which you seen on television or in films.
Let’s look at the best places to go to within Dorset:
1. Weymouth
It’s not difficult to understand why the town on the coast of Weymouth is so popular for tourists: Right there is the charming harbour, located on the banks the River Wey before it reaches the ocean.
The quays are a charming mix of old inns and warehouses. You can admire the scenery on a bench by the water while watching the yachts and trawlers go and come. Then there’s the beach. Long sandy, sandy and that are safe for children to enjoy long, sunny days playing in the water and swimming.
There’s always something huge happening in Weymouth Be it The Kite Festival in May and the Seafood Festival on the quaysides in July.
2. Bournemouth
A spa town since the beginning of the 1800s onwards. Bournemouth attracted the Regency in addition to Victorian society’s upper classes for health retreats because of its mild climate (comparatively! ) Gardens pine forests, and the clean sea breeze. Large , luxurious villas were constructed during this period and still give the town an air of grandeur and luxury.
Seven miles are of beach along the coast. One among them is Blue Flag Alum Chine, with perfect golden sands. Shop in the artisan shops in Westbourne and enjoy the nightlife that is available in The Square area.
A treasure trove of British artwork and decor awaits in the Russell-Cotes Gallery, set in an elegant Art Nouveau villa on a high cliff.
3. Dorchester
Dorset’s county town is charming and historic, and has numerous historic buildings that are listed in the centre and magnificent estates such as Athelhampton as well as Kingston Maurward in the immediate countryside. If you’re looking for a night out and shopping take a look at the recently regenerated Brewery Square located just in front of the distinctive older Eldridge Pope Brewery.
The renowned Victorian author Thomas Hardy spent most of his time in and around Dorchester. Visit Thomas Hardy’s cottage, a charming thatched house in which Thomas Hardy was born 1840, and lived until the age of 34. During this time Hardy wrote classics such as Far from the Madding Crowd.
There is also the more refined Max Gate which is an Victorian mansion which Hardy lived in from 1885 until his death in 1928.
4. Jurassic Coast
The entire western shoreline, starting from Studley up to the border with Devon is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sandstone throughout has been able to record 18 million years of the natural time, and is covered with fossils from the creatures and plants that been present in the area over the period.
They have served as a prime fossil hunting ground for a long time and they were first popularized by 19th century professional, Mary Anning, whose eyes for valuable fossils is unrivalled.
The town of Charmouth is situated right on Golden Cap, the highest cliff in the south coast of England. It is also the home of Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre where you can explore the human and natural culture of this unique coast.
5. Poole
With a vast naturally-formed harbour, the Poole’s serene and protected waters are the best southern coast to enjoy water sports and fishermen, sailors and windsurfers are all well catered for. If you’re interested in exploring, the traditional waterfront located in Poole is a functioning maritime area and is the place where you can embark on a range of excursions and cruises.
One of the most popular are Brownsea Island, owned entirely by the National Trust and cloaked in the woodlands of oak and pine, with fascinating little snippets of history scattered around. However, Sandbanks is the one that attracts the crowds to Poole. The majority of people agree that they’re most people say it’s the best beach to visit in Britain with its sand-filled spit which protects the north shore of the harbour and boasts a mile of golden sand that is soft and smooth.
6. Sherborne
It’s not uncommon to see Sherborne on lists of Britain’s most stunning towns. Sherborne is built mostly using the ochre-colored “ham stone”, quarried in the area just across the border from Somerset which makes everything an extra bit more beautiful. In a town of a smaller size, there’s plenty to explore.
The abbey is stunning with its magnificent fan of the nave that is affixed to the chance.
The building was originally an Saxon cathedral in the early 8th century. You can still find remnants of this structure near the western gateway . To this, add two castles, one of which was commissioned in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, and you’ll be able to enjoy a two days of utterly thrilling visiting.
7. Lyme Regis
If you think you could be Mary Anning, take a trip to Monmouth Beach where she found many all of her fossils. It is said that you will have a greater chances of finding something if the weather is not stable during low tide. in summer , you could be in the need of an enjoyable few hours at the water.
The Cobb is a fabled landmark, a strong harbour wall you might be familiar with from Meryl Streep’s film, The French Lieutenant’s Woman as well as also mentioned in Persuasion by Jane Austin, who lived in Lyme Regis for a time.
If so, Cobb beach is the location for you. A perfect pebble beach with calm waters that appear transparent in the summer when the sun is shining.
8. Christchurch
If you’re located in Bournemouth you have no excuse to not take the train heading to Christchurch. of Christchurch for a short excursion towards the East. The town is blessed with unblemished scenery with a stunning old town and excellent beaches with a harbor at the junction of the two river.
There’s so much to see in the region that it’s better off renting a bicycle to go from one stunning spot in the area to another. You can take a relaxing walk along Highcliffe beach, or try crab fishing on Mudeford Quay or explore the remains of the Constable’s house which was a classic Norman structure. Most impressive is Christchuch Priory, a glorious medieval monastery that escaped Henry VIII’s Dissolution through the process of becoming a parish church during the 1500s.
9. Swanage
With stunning scenery, Swanage is a town on the sea with a beach among some of the best within the region.
The beach is soft with white sands. Its shallow slope provides plenty of water that is shallow for younger beach-goers. The resort is extremely stylish and has taken great maintenance of its Victorian stone structures that house tea rooms pubs, fish and chip shops.
Being part of the Jurassic Coast There are many natural marvels to be found here.
Old Harrys Rocks is the most impressive location in the region. It is an array consisting of chalk outcrops. If you are laughing at the sight of vertigo, it’s possible to walk across the eroded pathway along the narrow isthmus with an impressive drop to either side to take a closer glance at the pile at the bottom.
10. Shaftesbury
A charming town in the countryside, Shaftesbury is the sole major hilltop town in Dorset situated at a height of more than 200 meters higher than sea-level. Shaftesbury is well-known among visitors and has plenty of hotels and bed and breakfasts in beautiful period buildings. There’s been a settlement on this site from at least Saxon times. The old abbey was founded around the year 935.
Visit the museum adjacent to the remains that now make up an exquisite garden. Gold Hill meanwhile, encapsulates the rural England perfectly. This cobbled and steep street has stone-thatched cottages as well as breathtaking panoramas across the country.
Gold Hill first came to the attention of the world through an Ridley Scott commercial for Hovis bread. The bakery has since been a beloved historical landmark.
