Bring the family for a day out and step behind the scenes of a Hollywood movie or bestselling novel in stunning Dorset. You can find your own Jurassic Park on beaches sprinkled with fossils and smuggler's caves or trace Thomas Hardy novels on open heaths and vales. The southwest county's dramatic coastline is an outdoor sculpture gallery with arches, stacks and coves carved by Mother Nature herself, a must-see attraction in Dorset. Casual amblers and serious ramblers alike can trek ridgeways between Bronze Age burial mounds and castle ruins. With so many incredible places to visit in Dorset you’ll leave knowing exactly why this county is incredibly popular for vacations and staycations alike.
Places to visit in Dorset
Top 10 places to visit in Dorset this summer
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Take a Dorset adventure this summer for top-notch seafood, squirrel spotting, cool hotels and Instagrammable villages.
Pier to Pier in Bournemouth
Got a spare hour or two in Bournemouth? Then take a stroll between the two piers.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Make waves on a water sports holiday in Bournemouth
Bournemouth has a vast array of water sports on offer throughout the year for both the novice and professional.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
See the gardens in bloom in Bournemouth
Head down to Bournemouth to see the extensive collection of gardens and enjoy the wide range of facilities on offer.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Satisfy your inner Willy Wonka at The Chocolate Hotel
Calling all chocoholics: the UK’s only chocolate-themed hotel has 15 rooms, dedicated to all that is tasty and tantalising.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Enjoy a romantic break surrounded by echoes of royal love
Opulent comfort and English grandeur, in a house that once bore royalty.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
September events: Bournemouth Air Festival
The world's biggest airshow brings together the thrill of gravity-defying plane displays and an abundance of family entertainment on the ground - all for free!
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Dive into the deep blue sea at Oceanarium
Bournemouth's Oceanarium is a great indoor attraction that allows you to discover the secrets of the deep.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Experience a spiritual side to Bournemouth's history
Visit St. Peter's Church for the stunning architecture, the famous final resting places or simply the atmosphere.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Fly along the world’s first pier-to-shore zip wire
Climb the Zip tower at the end of Bournemouth Pier and above the sea and zip-surf over the waves to the shore. Race friends and family to the beach!
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
December events: Explore the Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
Full of atmosphere and tradition, the Christmas Tree Wonderland is an epic trail through historic gardens and seafront walkways draped in lights.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset