A mini guide to Dorset

Known for its Jurassic Coast and award winning beaches, Dorset is a fabulous place to hunt for fossils, explore some quaint towns and walk along the coastal paths. Read our mini guide to Dorset below to find out all the best things to do on your next trip.

Where to stay

Dorset has some fabulous places to stay from glamping retreats and luxury hotels, so you are sure to find the perfect place for you.

• Ash Farm
• Crafty Camping
• Dither and Faff
• Farmstead Glamping
• Holiday Outbuildings
• Home Farm Camping
• Loose Reins
• Silverlake
• The Duchess of Cornwall
• The Pig, Studland
• The Priory
• Wellhayes

Where to visit

There are many charming coastal towns and bustling market hubs to visit, so below I have shared my favourite places to explore.

• Abbotsbury
• Bridport
• Corfe Castle
• Dorchester
• Knoll Beach
• Lyme Regis
• Poundbury
• Sandbanks
• Shaftesbury
• Sherborne
• Studland
• Tyneham
• West Bay
• West Lulworth
• Wimborne Minster

Where to eat and drink

Dorset has a great mix of places to eat, whether you want a beach cafe, fine dining, or the best seafood restaurant around. The hardest part is picking which one to visit first.

• Crab House Cafe
• Dorshi
• Happyccino at the Mill
• Hive Beach Cafe
• The Anchor Inn
• The Grosvenor Arms
• The Jetty
• The Oyster and Fish House
• The Seaside Boarding House
• The Station Kitchen

Things to see and do

Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth and is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. However, there are lots of other fun things to see and do whether you want to find the red squirrels on Brownsea Island, relax at the beautiful Monart Spa in Poundbury, or learn about the history of Corfe Castle.

• Abbotsbury Swanery
• Brownsea Island
• Compton Acres
• Corfe Castle
• Durdle Door
• Fossil hunting
• Lulworth Cove
• Monart Spa
• Monkey World
• Old Harrys Rock
• Portland Bill Lighthouse
• Sculptures by the lakes
• The Blue Pool

Where to shop

There are lots of lovely independent shops and boutiques in Dorset so you are sure to find something beautiful to take home with you.

• Cherryade
• Chilli By The Sea
• Cilla and Camilla
• Collate Interiors
• Indica
• Ink and Page
• Molesworth and Bird
• Pamplemoouse
• Ryder and Hope
• Symondsbury Estate
• The Botanical Candle Co
• Yellow Gorse

Want to read more mini guides check out Devon, Somerset, Cotswolds, and Cornwall here.