Whether you’re looking for a summer holiday, a short break, romantic get away or last minute escape, you couldn’t ask for a better place to relax and unwind than beautiful Dorset. Less than three hours from London yet bursting with West Country character, this southerly county offers something for every taste.
Particularly impressive is the number of natural attractions, especially along the Jurassic coast, England’s first World Heritage Site and a great spot for cliff walks, rock pooling and fossil hunting. Here you’ll find the shell shaped Lulworth Cove, the rocky bridge of Durdle Door, the chalky stacks and stumps of Old Harry Rocks, and the golden cliffs of West Bay, made famous by TV’s Broadchurch.
Over half of the countryside in Dorset has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, giving outdoorsy holiday makers plenty to explore. Don’t miss unique landmarks such as the Cerne Giant (the UK’s largest chalk figure), and if you’re feeling energetic you can do your countryside adventuring by bicycle or even on horseback. If that’s not enough, head to the port towns of Poole Portland or Weymouth for a spot of sailing or any other water sport you fancy, or why not take to the trees at Go Ape?
Culture vultures will find themselves well catered for too. Conquered by Romans, Saxons, and Vikings, Dorset is steeped in history, with Roman temples, iron age forts and medieval castles to visit – Corfe Castle is definitely worth a visit. And there’s plenty for the children to do as well, from visiting a model village to taking an old fashioned steam train from Swanage. Creative types will enjoy taking part in the growing number of arts and crafts workshops on offer too.