Dorset

Summary
Dorset, on the south coast of England, has a glorious countryside, a varied coastline and historic market towns, all of which were immortalised by novelist Thomas Hardy. Inland there are castles, stately homes and churches, while coastal attractions range from the lovely Lyme Regis to large resort towns such as Bournemouth and Weymouth.

Part of the stunning coastline is known as the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a haven for fossil hunters. Yet despite Dorset’s many charms, the region lies off the main tourist checklists, so it’s less plagued by crowds than other parts of the country.

Getting there/getting around Dorset
There’s a good rail network from many principal locations in the UK, with regular direct trains from London to Bournemouth, Dorchester and Weymouth. Coaches from all over the UK also come to the area. Regular buses run between main towns in the county.

Travelling by road in Dorset can be a very pleasing experience – if you’re not in a rush. The county contains no motorways, so car journeys must be made on A and B roads – many of these roads, however, offer some lovely rustic views. A trip on the steam-powered Swanage Railway, meanwhile, offers some stunning views of the coast. If you have the time and the inclination, it is worth seeing the county by bicycle.

Sightseeing in Dorset
The beaches in Dorset are some of the best in the country. Bournemouth beach has swathes of golden sand, while Studland and Sandbanks are popular with tourists. Areas with particular charm include Lyme Regis, Swanage and the dramatic Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Walking along the coast is a popular pastime with visitors – the South West Coast Path runs from Poole along the entire Dorset coast.

History lovers will have plenty to keep them busy. From the historic town of Dorchester to Sherborne, with its wonderful abbey, there’s a long list of must-sees. Poole’s old town has a medieval heart and the interesting Waterfront Museum. In Bournemouth, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, an Italianate-style Victorian mansion on the seafront, houses a diverse art collection from around the world.

Family attractions in Dorset
Dorset has numerous attractions that will keep the whole family happy, such as the Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester, Corfe Castle Model Village and Gardens, and the Bournemouth Aviation Museum. Younger kids will love a trip to the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum in Dorchester or to Farmer Palmer’s, in Organford near Poole, where they can join in “hands-on” animal events.

Parents and children alike will love seeing the hundreds of swans at Abbotsbury Swannery between Weymouth and Bridport, and the more varied wildlife on view at the Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary. If the kids are feeling a bit more restless, though, a visit to Adventure Wonderland in Bournemouth should keep them happy.

Day trips around Dorset
Corfe Castle’s magnificent ruins, in the Purbeck Hills, are worth a visit, while Kingston Lacy House, a stately home near Wimborne, will take you back to the 17th century. At Higher Bockhampton, near Dorchester, literature fans can visit Hardy’s Cottage, where the great author was born and penned Far From The Madding Crowd.

Forde Abbey and Gardens, situated near Chard, offers welcome respite from the crowds, and affords some stunning views; much the same can be said of Lulworth Castle Park, near Wareham, and Portland Castle. The ancient hunting ground of the New Forest National Park, just over the border in Hampshire, is wonderful for hikes in unspoilt natural woodland.

Shopping in Dorset
Dorset is not renowned for its shops, but some towns, such as Bournemouth, Weymouth and Poole, have a few malls and boutiques worth checking out. Bournemouth’s Castlepoint Shopping Park and the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole should keep keen shoppers happy for a few hours.

If your tastes are slightly less commercial, it may be worth visiting the county’s market towns, such as Dorchester, Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury, where you should be able to pick up some good arts and crafts, antiques and books.

Eating out in Dorset
You’re spoilt for choice for eateries in Dorset, with a whole host of restaurants that offer both local and foreign dishes. Many offer gorgeous views while you’re tucking into your food. Dorset’s position on the coast ensures a steady supply of fresh seafood, while produce from the county’s countryside, such as beef and lamb, and are very popular with diners.

Popular restaurants in Bournemouth include WestBeach, on the promenade, which focuses on seafood, and Bistro on the Beach, which is a cafe by day and a bistro with an imaginative menu by night. Further afield, Storm in Poole can guarantee the freshest food – the owner is a fisherman by day – while Perry’s Restaurant in Weymouth serves up a wide range of dishes, both local and foreign.

Nightlife in Dorset
Dorset is littered with friendly pubs, many of which have pleasant beer gardens or stunning views of the countryside or the coast. Sample some traditional real ale at the Old Ship Inn in Weymouth, reputed to be a favoured haunt of Thomas Hardy, or taste the traditional food in the thatched New Inn at Stoke Abbot, near Bridport.

If you’re after something a little more contemporary, there are plenty of bars and clubs in the county, though most are confined to the larger towns. Zing Bar and Bliss Bar in Bournemouth pull in the crowds, as does Elements, the town’s largest nightclub. Over in Weymouth, Harry’s Bar and Nightclub is a good place to let your hair down on the dance floor, while the Opera House in Boscombe is a favourite with house and trance music fans.