Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as The Cobb' was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel The French Lieutenant's Woman' and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
A traditional Dorset village, known for its annual tournament of "knob throwing", the ancient art of hurling a Dorset Knob Biscuit as far as you can! With pretty stone built cottages and a fine 19th century church known as the Cathedral of the Frome Valley, Cattistock is a lovely place to visit.
A busy and thriving market town, Bridport is one of the most popular gateways to the Jurassic Coast. The town still has two weekly markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, perfect for local produce and crafts. You will also find a good selection of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Bridport lies just inland from West Bay with a shingle beach, dramatic sandstone cliffs and a pretty harbour that perfectly complements Bridport's charms.
Beaminster sits at the head of the Britt Valley, through which flows the river of the same name. The countryside here is glorious and a stay in Beaminster would be incomplete without a stroll through the rolling hills that surround the town. For the history buff, playing spot the listed building' is great fun – even though Beaminster has been devastated by fire no less than three times, the town still lays claim to some 200 listed buildings. The highlight of Beaminster's calendar is the Festival of Music and Visual Arts, a jamboree of musical, literary and artistic talent including many big names.
Surrounded by rivers and set on water meadows, Wimborne Minster occupies a lovely position. The Minster itself is breathtaking; built between the 12th and 14th centuries, it has an imposing central tower that dominates the town's skyline. You could spend a fortnight exploring the town and still not see everything of note, but don't miss the Priest's House Museum and Garden, the market and the Tivoli Theatre.
A pretty village on the river Wiggle, worth a visit to see the honey coloured limestone cottages. At the heart of the village you'll find the Oak House Stores, a grade II listed building famed for its cheese and local produce.
Another famous haunt of the novelist Thomas Hardy, Shaftesbury has some of England's most fascinating architecture, including the famous cobbled street of Gold's Hill and the ruins of the abbey which date back to 888AD. The town sits at the top of a hill with panoramic views in every direction over Dorset and Wiltshire. Despite its glorious position and the beauty of its buildings and streets, Shaftesbury remains unspoilt by tourism.
One of the many gateways to the Jurassic Coast, Charmouth is a bustling coastal village set on the Heritage Coast and is one of the most popular places to go fossiling. Although being a popular tourist destination Charmouth has kept its friendly village feel and is an ideal location for a traditional family holiday.
Home to some of the country's most significant ruins, the village of Corfe Castle is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Isle of Purbeck, a peninsula that stretches across a large part of Dorset. History lovers will find the castle itself fascinating – a dramatic hilltop ruin over 1,000 years old. Corfe Castle has a lot more to offer, though; good shopping, some great places to eat, fantastic walking in every direction and even a model village complete with a reconstruction of the castle as it would have looked before it was destroyed.
A perfect village of honey-coloured cottages, and home to the Swannery, where swans have lived for over 600 years.
1 August 2026
Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as The Cobb' was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel The French Lieutenant's Woman' and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
8 June 2025
A traditional Dorset village, known for its annual tournament of "knob throwing", the ancient art of hurling a Dorset Knob Biscuit as far as you can! With pretty stone built cottages and a fine 19th century church known as the Cathedral of the Frome Valley, Cattistock is a lovely place to visit.
29 September 2024
A busy and thriving market town, Bridport is one of the most popular gateways to the Jurassic Coast. The town still has two weekly markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, perfect for local produce and crafts. You will also find a good selection of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Bridport lies just inland from West Bay with a shingle beach, dramatic sandstone cliffs and a pretty harbour that perfectly complements Bridport's charms.
11 January 2024
Beaminster sits at the head of the Britt Valley, through which flows the river of the same name. The countryside here is glorious and a stay in Beaminster would be incomplete without a stroll through the rolling hills that surround the town. For the history buff, playing spot the listed building' is great fun – even though Beaminster has been devastated by fire no less than three times, the town still lays claim to some 200 listed buildings. The highlight of Beaminster's calendar is the Festival of Music and Visual Arts, a jamboree of musical, literary and artistic talent including many big names.
8 November 2020
Surrounded by rivers and set on water meadows, Wimborne Minster occupies a lovely position. The Minster itself is breathtaking; built between the 12th and 14th centuries, it has an imposing central tower that dominates the town's skyline. You could spend a fortnight exploring the town and still not see everything of note, but don't miss the Priest's House Museum and Garden, the market and the Tivoli Theatre.
29 September 2020
A pretty village on the river Wiggle, worth a visit to see the honey coloured limestone cottages. At the heart of the village you'll find the Oak House Stores, a grade II listed building famed for its cheese and local produce.
30 October 2013
Another famous haunt of the novelist Thomas Hardy, Shaftesbury has some of England's most fascinating architecture, including the famous cobbled street of Gold's Hill and the ruins of the abbey which date back to 888AD. The town sits at the top of a hill with panoramic views in every direction over Dorset and Wiltshire. Despite its glorious position and the beauty of its buildings and streets, Shaftesbury remains unspoilt by tourism.
10 August 2012
One of the many gateways to the Jurassic Coast, Charmouth is a bustling coastal village set on the Heritage Coast and is one of the most popular places to go fossiling. Although being a popular tourist destination Charmouth has kept its friendly village feel and is an ideal location for a traditional family holiday.
23 January 2009
Home to some of the country's most significant ruins, the village of Corfe Castle is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Isle of Purbeck, a peninsula that stretches across a large part of Dorset. History lovers will find the castle itself fascinating – a dramatic hilltop ruin over 1,000 years old. Corfe Castle has a lot more to offer, though; good shopping, some great places to eat, fantastic walking in every direction and even a model village complete with a reconstruction of the castle as it would have looked before it was destroyed.
A perfect village of honey-coloured cottages, and home to the Swannery, where swans have lived for over 600 years.