The Dorset Handbook

Fascinating film locations in Dorset

Find out where some of classic and underground films were made on your holiday to Dorset. Our list contains blockbusters, forgotten gems, and cult classics.

A fossil finding guide

The world-renowned Jurassic Coast is an incredible UK destination to go fossil hunting. Discover ammonites, bivalves and brachiopods at the beaches lining beautiful Dorset.

2018 Christmas Markets in Dorset offer a lovely festive experience that are perfect for enjoying with the family. Shop for unique and unusual gifts, decorations, handmade trinkets, fantastic local produce, and enjoy entertainment and activities to really get you in the Christmas spirit. There are plenty of different Christmas markets and events across the county and we have listed a few of our favourites below.

All you need to know about Dorset

Featuring a lovely mix of coastal locations and rural countryside, holidays in Dorset are wonderfully varied. Find local produce, beautiful scenery and the Jurassic Coast Path nestling on the southern coast of England.

Dorset food and drink guide

If you’re looking to visit Dorset to get know its traditional food, you’re bang in luck. From famous delicacies that were the favourite foods of world-renowned writers to Michelin Star standard fine-dining, via festivals where you can try all the titbits your heart desires, there’s something to tickle your taste buds in Dorset. But where to start?! Our Dorset food and drink guide explains all…

Things to do in Dorset

Before heading off on your Dorset holiday, we’d really suggest planning your trip - because there is so much to do that you wouldn’t want to miss out on! We’ve put together our suggested things to do covering activities all over the county, including the stunning Jurassic Coast and its beaches, the wonderful attractions for families, the various wonderful walking routes, and more…

Your guide to Dorset beaches

The beaches in Dorset, alongside the many other beautiful coastal locations, make the county one of the UK's most perfect holiday destinations. With nearly 100 miles of coastline to be enjoyed, it's no surprise that some of the country’s best beaches are found here. From the historic Jurassic Coast, where fossils await, to the town beaches in Bournemouth and Poole, there's a beach for everyone.

Stately homes and gardens in Dorset

Within a county known for its outstanding beauty, there are further pockets of gardens and nature that highlight the wonder of Dorset. There are many stunning buildings in the county, set in some fantastically thought out and well-designed gardens that are very much worth visiting. We’ve taken a look through some of these stately properties and compiled our top five homes and gardens in Dorset for you to explore.

Interactive map of Dorset

Dorset is a beautiful county, featuring a mix of coastal and rural locations, found in the South West of England on the English Channel coast. Dorset shares its four borders with the counties of Devon which is to the west, Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north-east, and Hampshire to the east. Use our map of Dorset above to discover the perfect location for your holiday in Dorset.

Our East Dorset holidays tips

For an exciting and memorable break, East Dorset offers plenty of for the whole family to see and do. Boasting beautiful countryside and coastal landscape, there are various towns and villages to discover as well as historic monuments and sandy beaches during your East Dorset holidays and a great base to stay is Sandford Holiday Park located seven miles from the lively resort of Poole.

Our pick of things to do in North Dorset

Blessed with stunning landscapes, the North of Dorset is an idyllic and tranquil destination to spend your next holiday in the county. Set in the rolling rural countryside, there are great opportunities to soak up the fresh country air and discover the great outdoors as well as plenty of things for the whole family to enjoy. We’ve picked out a few of our favourite things to do in North Dorset.

Amazing views of Dorset

Dorset is the ultimate coastal county, having more iconic, picture worthy and outstanding cliffs, beaches and eye-catching features than any other county in the UK. The Jurassic Coast is the dominant attraction of Dorset, stretching along the length of the county, combine this with some attractive and busy harbours, means the most amazing views of can be found across this beautiful county.

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