Places to visit in Dorset

Tread the cobblestones of Gold Hill, aka Hovis Hill, immortalised in the much-loved 1970s advert for Hovis bread. Expect a heart-stirring experience: the view from the top of the street is said to be one of the most romantic in England, gracing everything from chocolate boxes to calendars and book covers. Local highlights include St Peter’s Church, the Gold Hill Museum, and the foundations of ancient Shaftesbury Abbey, built by King Alfred the Great.

Abrim with nostalgic beachy charm, Swanage is an ideal base for Dorset seaside holidays. Sitting pretty within the isle of Purbeck on Dorset’s coastline, Swanage has Victorian swagger courtesy of an impressive heritage pier, steam railway and clifftop castle. The town’s noteworthy architecture has earned it the nickname ‘Little London by the Sea’. Stroll along the award-winning sandy beach. If you’re feeling lively, consider watersports thrills: daily pursuits here include diving, kayaking and sea fishing.

Up next, two weather-dependent options. If conditions are favourable, hop on a boat trip to explore the Jurassic Coast the best way – by water. Landlubbers might prefer Swanage’s steam railway, which will trundle you to Corfe Castle and back. Amid the castle ruins, spot arrow loops and explore the ramparts on a guided tour.

Feeling thirsty and hungry after all that exploring? Stay in dinky Corfe Castle village and tuck into seasonal pub grub at The Greyhound Inn or The Castle Inn. Save room for tea and scones at either Corfe Castle Miniature Village’s cafe and tea room or The Cake House Tea Room.

Check into a Grade II-listed hotel that once hosted Queen Elizabeth I. Built in the shape of an ‘E’ to honour the Tudor monarch, the house has stood at the base of Corfe Castle since 1590. Today, it combines historic charm with modern luxuries and an award-winning restaurant that sources ingredients from local Purbeck suppliers. Its location means many of the rooms overlook the castle, allowing you to wake up to views of one of England’s most famous ruins.

Bathe in crystal-clear waters at this beautiful Dorset bay and beach, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. For those with mobility issues, there’s even an off-road scooter for hire – putting wild swimming, rock pooling and sunny picnics within easy reach for everyone.

Curving over the waves, this lofty stone arch sits just off a pretty shingle beach – and can be reached on foot from Lulworth Cove, down a steep staircase carved into the cliff. It is Dorset’s most photographed landmark, shaped from natural sandstone by the sea.

After all that exploring, you’re due a coastal feast. Stay put in Lulworth and combine cove views with delicious food at the nautically themed Boat Shed Café. Stick to the fishy theme with seafood chowder, crab sandwich or fish and chips, or opt for something warm, hearty and land-based: macaroni cheese or the chicken burger, perhaps.

Rewind to the 17th century at Lulworth Castle & Park, which was originally built to be a hunting lodge for aristocracy and royalty – with the genteel good looks to prove it. The castle was ravaged by a fire in 1929, but then beautifully restored with help from English Heritage. Al fresco lures include the extensive parkland, woodland walks and a playground; of course there’s also a cosy tea room. Lulworth Castle plays host to Camp Bestival festival every summer.

A half-hour drive away, Tyneham Village is nicknamed Dorset’s ‘lost village’. Tyneham was evacuated in 1943, during the Second World War, remaining frozen in time ever since. The area was needed for military training and remains part of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School, so check access times and entry before you come. After looking around, go for an invigorating beach walk at Worbarrow Bay, a 20-minute stroll (one mile) away.

Calling all keen/budding naturists: Britain’s best-known naturist beach awaits on a designated stretch of Studland Beach. If you fancy a dip or stroll with maximum sea breezes on every body part, follow the signs that lead to Knoll Beach’s 900-metre stretch of sand. Keep your eyes peeled for forgotten Second World War ammunition along the beach: Studland was used as a live fire area in preparation for D-Day.

Coastal idylls don’t get much lovelier than The PIG – On The Beach, the hotel feather in Studland’s cap. Effortlessly hitting that sweet spot between relaxed and luxurious, the hotel’s charms include characterful bedrooms, two seaside spa huts overlooking the Old Harry Rocks, a snug bar and an excellent restaurant, whose 25-mile menu stars kitchen garden produce. To maximise the Pig, we recommend checking into one of those cosy rooms for a night or two.

Stomp off lunch with a salt-spray walk around Shell Bay, on the south side of the mouth of Poole Harbour. On a clear day, you can gaze out across the water to Sandbanks, Bournemouth, Hengistbury Head and the Isle of Wight. If those views prove irresistible, take the chain ferry across to Poole and Bournemouth.

Be inspired by the might and mystery of nature as you admire Agglestone Rock, aka the Devil’s Anvil. Resembling a giant rocky thunderbolt thrown to earth by divine (or satanic) hands, the rock is actually a 400-tonne ironstone remnant of the Bagshot beds, which covered the present heathland thousands of years ago. Agglestone Rock sits within Purbeck’s dramatic Godlingston Heath, part of the National Trust-managed Studland Nature Reserve, where purple heather and wildflowers bloom.

If you’re looking for a meal with the Michelin Guide’s approval, book a table at Shell Bay in Studland. Graced with an enviable location by the water’s edge, this relaxed, convivial bistro serves up exemplary modern British cuisine, with a fitting emphasis on fish and seafood. Edible highlights include salt and pepper soft-shell crab with smoked pineapple chilli sauce, cured trout with pickled shellfish, and lamb or whole fish cooked to succulent perfection on the fire.

Discover a botanic treasure-trove at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens in Weymouth, where more than 6,000 species from across the world bloom in lush profusion. Nicknamed the ‘Plantsman's Garden’, this emerald mini-kingdom stretches across more than 12 hectares (30 acres).

Grab your mat and join in with a spot of Park Yoga in Bournemouth, Swanage, Weymouth and other venues on the Jurassic Coast. These free yoga sessions in parks are aimed at every level, from beginners to yoga devotees. Check the website for your nearest session. Afterwards, reward yourself with lunch at the Crab House Cafe, which serves an array of fresh crab (naturally), oysters and other local seafood.

From fishing and fossil hunting to exhilarating boat tours, there are heaps of ways to explore Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast. Get cultural at the Sculpture Trail, which proudly showcases an array of sculptures by local artists, or go crabbing at the Cobb. Lyme’s man-made harbour wall plays an important role in the novel Persuasion, as Jane Austen fans will know.

Made famous by Jane Austen (see above), Lyme Regis has more than its fair share of tempting bookshops. Two of the best are Lyme Regis Bookshop and The Sanctuary Bookshop, which includes a basement reading room and even B&B accommodation for real book-lovers who want to extend their stay. Bookworm bliss.

Admire fossils galore in the Lyme Regis Museum, home to an interactive geology gallery and an inspiring learning centre. Take part in a guided fossil walk and discover the important contribution made by Mary Anning, an English fossil collector, dealer, and palaeontologist. The museum is built on the site of Mary’s former home.