Many people who come to stay with us tell us they can't wait to get out and see the famous
Dorset countryside in all its glory. They're right to be excited - the natural scenery of Dorset is simply breathtaking, and fully deserving of its fame.
What people sometimes don't realise though is that
Dorset villages and towns are equally special, and offer an abundance of history, architecture and unique character. In this week's blog post we thought we'd share our top ten towns in the county, and we hope you find the time to see a few of them if you're staying with us this summer.
Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis – Lyme Regis is probably best known for the Cobb, the iconic sea wall featured in the movie
The French Lieutenant’s Woman. It’s also a great spot for foodies, with celebrity chef Mark Hix’s Oyster House perched on the cliff overlooking Lyme Bay.
Charmouth – If you’re looking for a charming, idyllic village with plenty of classic Dorset character, we urge you to give Charmouth a visit. Fossil enthusiasts should also stop by, as the nearby pebbled beaches are a goldmine for prehistoric remains from millions of years ago.
Bridport – Visitors to Bridport are often attracted by the lure of fantastic local food and drink in the town’s wonderful collection of restaurants, cafes and pubs. Bridport’s weekly markets, which are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, are also popular with tourists and locals alike.
Swanage – Swanage boasts a really special claim to fame, as it has one of the UK’s few surviving steam railways. It’s a magical treat for kids, not to mention for big kids too!
Weymouth
Weymouth – Weymouth is home to many fantastic attractions including a large sandy beach, a picturesque old harbour and a Sealife park. Along with neighbouring Portland, Weymouth will be hosting the sailing events in the 2012 Olympics next year.
West Bay – A great place to get an authentic taste of the sea, West Bay has a fabulous selection of eateries with everything from traditional cod and chips to freshly caught lobster, crab, scallops and crayfish.
Abbotsbury – Abbotsbury's biggest claim to fame is its Swannery, but the village’s attractions don’t stop there. It is also the home to the biggest willow maze in Dorset, and the amazing subtropical gardens, which were recently featured on ITV’s Countrywise.
Lulworth – Lulworth is a tiny village perched next to the world famous Lulworth Cove, the sweeping natural bay which is one of the jewels in the crown of Dorset’s world heritage coastline. It’s hugely popular in the summer months, so be prepared for crowds!
Abbotsbury
Dorchester – When most people think of Dorchester they think of Thomas Hardy – the town’s most famous son and one of Britain’s greatest ever authors. While today it is a bustling modern market town, Dorchester is still hugely proud of its history, and its many museums are a big draw for visitors.
Seaton – Okay, so we’re cheating a bit here. This one is actually just over the border in Devon, but we wouldn’t want you to miss it. It has a beautiful pebbly beach and wonderful old fashioned tramway, making Seaton a genuine delight for visitors of all ages.
If you think you'd like to visit some of the places we've mentioned here, why not give us a call on
01297 560259. We are one of the most popular
Dorset holiday parks, and are within easy reach of all the places we've talked about above.