Dorset might be primarily seen as a summer county by many of its visitors, but it has plenty to recommend it in the winter months too. Here are a few things we love about Dorset at this time of year...
Country Walks
In winter the Dorset countryside can be at its prettiest and most striking. While it can be tempting to stay indoors in the coldest months, if you do you will miss the opportunity to see all the beautiful winter sights Dorset has to offer, from frozen streams and ponds to mist-covered hills and valleys.
The Visit Dorset website has some great information on country pathways you can use to see the best of the county’s wonderful rural landscape, and if you’re staying here at the park, feel free to ask us and we’ll be happy to share some suggestions for the best walking routes.
Dorset Wildlife
Apart from dormice, bats and hedgehogs, very few of Dorset’s native wildlife actually hibernate in winter. In fact, native bird species are joined in the winter months by others from the rest of the UK and overseas, attracted by the county’s relatively mild winter climate.
This means that nature enthusiasts are treated to a wealth of magnificent birdlife and other creatures in January and February, and with the countryside largely free of the tourists who flock to the county in summer, they will have the place largely to themselves!
Jurassic Coast Fossils
While fossil hunting is always a popular activity for people who come for a
holiday in Dorset in the summer, the best time to do it is undoubtedly in winter, when the ancient cliffs are lashed by rough seas and bad weather, causing them to erode and give up the prehistoric treasures embedded in the rock. At this time of year, fossils can be found simply scattered on the beach or among rocks, particularly after a big storm.
Dorset Food and Drink
Nothing takes away the winter blues like a warm, hearty meal, and Dorset is spoilt for choice in terms of great eateries and fabulous local produce. Our own restaurant is part of the Taste of the West scheme, which supports local fisherman and farmers by ensuring that as many ingredients as possible are sourced from the Dorset and Devon region.
The Newlands restaurant specialises in West Country reared meat and locally caught fish. We have an interesting and exciting specials menu utilising the best in-season and sustainable products from the area.
And if you’d like to bring out your own inner chef, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s
River Cottage in West Dorset runs regular cookery courses for the public, covering a variety of topics such as traditional bread making, meat curing and smoking, and organic vegetable growing.
Our
Dorset holiday park is just a ten minute drive from River Cottage, so we are the perfect place to stay if you decide to take part in one of these unique foodie courses!