Once used by smugglers, Ringstead's shingle beach is set in the Jurassic Coastline and boasts beautiful views. With parking available in the nearby National Trust carpark, there is a fair walk downhill to the beach. Dogs are welcome all year. Make sure you keep an eye out for fossils.
This beach café right by the sea on Chesil Bank bagged the Coast magazine award for Best Coastal Café, Pub or Restaurant 2009. Local fish and shellfish are specialities.
Located near Burton Bradstock, Hive Beach is set in the heart of the dramatic Jurassic Coast. Once planned to have been a landing point for Hitler's troops during the Second World War, these days the beach has a much more pleasant atmosphere. If not too distracted by the views, beach-goers should keep an eye out for fossils buried amongst the limestone.
Charmouth has to be one of the most famous places for collecting fossils in the world. Part of Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast; many a happy hour can be spent scouring the beach for ammonites and belemnites.
Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as The Cobb' was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel The French Lieutenant's Woman' and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
A classic English seaside town with a flat and sandy beach. Lyme Regis' most famous landmark is The Cobb, a pier that was immortalised by the John Fowles novel The French Lieutenant's Woman.
The Ramblers hail Golden Cap as one of their 'Top 50 walking routes to Britain's best views'. At 191 metres, it's the highest sea cliff in Southern England. Walk through Langdon wood (great in April/May for bluebells) and up to the top for jaw-dropping views of Charmouth and down to Lyme Regis. The stretch of coast between Lyme Regis and Bridport has over 25 miles of paths and traces almost 185 million years of the Earth's history, so there's plenty of exploring to be done here.
This lovely long stretch of beach is backed by the Ridge cliff which affords great views of the lush Dorset countryside. A good spot to look for ammonites and other fossils all year round.
Named after the legendary Dorset cheese (Monty Python fans may recall it mentioned in the 'Cheese Shop Sketch'). The Blue Vinny has a great menu (naturally, featuring dishes such as sirloin steak glazed with Blue Vinny, with wild mushrooms and hand cut chips), and a lovely big beer garden to sleep it all off.
A family friendly pub with acres of gardens, a skittle alley and pygmy goats to say hello to! Food is locally sourced and made in house with daily specials on offer. The kids will love the play bus and crazy golf.
It’s difficult to know where to start in describing all the ways in which you can enjoy Dorset. Summarising its appeal is almost impossible, since there is simply so much going on in this county.
Read on to learn more, or use the search options on the left to find things to do, places to visit and where to eat and drink in Dorset.
9 August 2026
Once used by smugglers, Ringstead's shingle beach is set in the Jurassic Coastline and boasts beautiful views. With parking available in the nearby National Trust carpark, there is a fair walk downhill to the beach. Dogs are welcome all year. Make sure you keep an eye out for fossils.
6 August 2026
This beach café right by the sea on Chesil Bank bagged the Coast magazine award for Best Coastal Café, Pub or Restaurant 2009. Local fish and shellfish are specialities.
1 August 2026
Located near Burton Bradstock, Hive Beach is set in the heart of the dramatic Jurassic Coast. Once planned to have been a landing point for Hitler's troops during the Second World War, these days the beach has a much more pleasant atmosphere. If not too distracted by the views, beach-goers should keep an eye out for fossils buried amongst the limestone.
1 August 2026
Charmouth has to be one of the most famous places for collecting fossils in the world. Part of Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic Coast; many a happy hour can be spent scouring the beach for ammonites and belemnites.
1 August 2026
Awash with history, Lyme Regis is an integral part of Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast; guided fossil hunting tours are a popular way to discover the rich geological history of the area. Literary history is equally important to Lyme Regis; the unique harbour, known as The Cobb' was immortalised by John Fowles in his novel The French Lieutenant's Woman' and Thomas Hardy set many of his novels in the area.
1 August 2026
A classic English seaside town with a flat and sandy beach. Lyme Regis' most famous landmark is The Cobb, a pier that was immortalised by the John Fowles novel The French Lieutenant's Woman.
2 June 2026
The Ramblers hail Golden Cap as one of their 'Top 50 walking routes to Britain's best views'. At 191 metres, it's the highest sea cliff in Southern England. Walk through Langdon wood (great in April/May for bluebells) and up to the top for jaw-dropping views of Charmouth and down to Lyme Regis. The stretch of coast between Lyme Regis and Bridport has over 25 miles of paths and traces almost 185 million years of the Earth's history, so there's plenty of exploring to be done here.
2 June 2026
This lovely long stretch of beach is backed by the Ridge cliff which affords great views of the lush Dorset countryside. A good spot to look for ammonites and other fossils all year round.
20 December 2025
Named after the legendary Dorset cheese (Monty Python fans may recall it mentioned in the 'Cheese Shop Sketch'). The Blue Vinny has a great menu (naturally, featuring dishes such as sirloin steak glazed with Blue Vinny, with wild mushrooms and hand cut chips), and a lovely big beer garden to sleep it all off.
25 September 2025
A family friendly pub with acres of gardens, a skittle alley and pygmy goats to say hello to! Food is locally sourced and made in house with daily specials on offer. The kids will love the play bus and crazy golf.