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.
Explore Lyme Regis
Wander round narrow streets and along the South West Coastal Path.
Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset
Uncover Wareham’s southern charm and civil war past
Wareham is packed with old red-brick houses and wonky, half-timber cottages that'll have your trigger finger reaching for the camera button.
Location: Wareham, 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
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
Cook with celebrity chefs in Dorset
Share in Lesley Waters' and Mark Hix's kitchen secrets.
Location: Dorset
Stunning sea views and fine wines at a hip Dorset clifftop hotel
Enjoy a romantic summer break to the luxurious Seaside Boarding House in Dorset.
Location: Burton Bradstock, Dorset
Enjoy family fun and meals by the fire at Norburton Hall
Celebrate a special occasion, or just enjoy having the whole family round for dinner on this Dorset estate.
Location: Burton Bradstock, 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