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- Marvel at Durdle Door. Durdle Door is perhaps the most famous attraction on the Dorset coast. This towering rock archway was created by erosion some 140 million years ago.
- Explore the Ruins at Corfe Castle. Perched on a low peak amidst the rolling hills on Dorset’s beautiful Isle of Purbeck, the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle are an impressive sight.
- Take a Walk on the South West Coast Path. Between the unique formations of the Jurassic Coast, the incredible beaches, and the exceptional seaside eateries, Dorset is an ideal place for a cliff walk.
- Travel Back in Time Onboard Swanage Railway. Swanage Railway is one of the best-preserved steam railways in the country. For a hit of nostalgia, board one of their lovingly restored trains at Norden and take a return trip to the seaside town of Swanage.
Things to Do in Dorset, England: See Tripadvisor's 1,095,877 traveller reviews and photos of Dorset tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in November.
- Marvel at Durdle Door
- Relax on Bournemouth Beach
- Step Back in Time at Corfe Castle
- Ride The Waves on The Jurassic Coast
- Spot Fossils at Lyme Regis
- Escape to Brownsea Island
- Take A Ride on Swanage Steam Railway
- Discover Studland and Old Harry Rocks
- Wander The Gardens at Kingston Lacy
- Monkey Around at Monkey World
Dorset features the lion’s share of the 95-mile-long Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its fossil-rich cliffs and huge geological significance. All along the coastline, unusual rock formations reveal a visible record of millions of years of history, forming a living legacy that adds a unique touch to any cliff walk or beach day...
It may be one of Dorset’s most popular beaches, but Bournemouthis still one of the best places for a day at the seaside. And with seven miles of soft sand to relax on, avoiding the summer crowds is easy. Locals head west towards Branksome Chine or east to Boscombe and Southbourne. At the far eastern end of the bay, the cliff-backed pebble beach at ...
A peninsula once so cut off by moors and marshlands that it felt more like an island, hence the name, the Isle of Purbeck is one of the loveliest places to visit in Dorset. And at its center, the hilltop ruins of Corfe Castle provide unbeatable views of the surrounding countryside. The thousand-year-old castle was largely destroyed during the Engli...
Adults searching for fun, adrenaline-pumping things to do along the Dorset coast will discover a myriad of watersports and boat trips. A RIB ride from Weymouth Harbour (Weymouth Bay RIB Charter) or Lyme Regis (Lyme Bay RIB Charter) offers a fast-paced tour of the coastline’s most impressive attractions; you can zip from Weymouth to Durdle Door and ...
Although she wasn’t taken as seriously as she should have been in her time, local paleontologist Mary Anning is now recognized as a crucial figure in the study of the Jurassic Coast’s fossils, which she collected on the beaches near her hometown of Lyme Regis. Today, fossil finds are still common, particularly on the stretch of beach between Lyme R...
Dorset’s Poole Harbour is one of the largest natural harbors in the world, home to yacht-filled marinas, sheltered bays for paddleboarding, and the famous Sandbanks peninsula, aka the world’s most expensive seaside resort. Take a boat tour of the harbor and its many islands, or hop on a ferry to explore the National Trust nature reserve at Brownsea...
Journey back in time on a beautifully restored heritage steam railway across the Purbeck countryside. Step on board at Norden Station to ride the rails as far as the seaside at Swanage, looking out for the view of Corfe Castle on the right-hand side of the train as you chug past.
Marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, Old Harry Rocks are a series of chalk stacks stretching out into the English Channel. Thought to be named after an infamous local pirate, Harry Payne, the rocks were once part of the same chalk band as the Needles on the Isle of Wight. While the headland above Old Harry Rocks has become a popular desti...
Immerse yourself in the extensive art and history collections of a 17th-century manor house, before a relaxing stroll through the scenic grounds. Perhaps the finest of Dorset’s numerous stately homes, Kingston Lacy sits on a vast 8500-acre (3440-hectare) estate. Wander the grounds and gardens, especially the attractive Japanese Garden. Pro tip: try...
One of southwest England’s most family-friendly days out, Monkey World Ape Rescue Centrenear Bovington is an unexpected gem in the Dorset countryside. Don’t agree with animals in captivity? Fear not: Monkey World is not a zoo. They rescue and rehome primates from illegal captivity such as circuses or black market trades. Animals that can’t be relea...
Dorset is probably most famous for its soaring limestone arch, Durdle Door, which is featured on many a postcard of the area. Nearby is the picture perfect horseshoe bay of Lulworth Cove which attracts visitors all year round due to its stunning setting and quaint village.
- Grace Allen
- Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Between Poole and Weymouth. Located on the Lulworth Estate in south Dorset, Durdle Door is an entirely natural limestone arch formed simply by waves eroding a hole through the middle.
- Lyme Regis. West Dorset. Nicknamed ‘The Pearl of Dorset’, Lyme Regis’s beaches and cliffs form part of the Jurassic Coast. With a bustling harbour and rip-roaring independent shopping and dining scene, Lyme Regis is a year-round treat.
- Gold Hill. Shaftesbury. The only real hilltop town in Dorset, Shaftesbury overlooks the lush Blackmore Vale (part of the Stour Valley).
- Brownsea Island. Poole Harbour. The largest of the islands in Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island is where the Scouts originated from back in 1907.
Jul 8, 2024 · The natural limestone arch in Dorset is one of the most famous landmarks in the World. Durdle Door arch was created over 10,000 years ago by the sea when it formed a hole through the Portland stone. Corfe Castle
May 20, 2022 · The picturesque county of Dorset on England’s south coast is famous for its sandy beaches, quaint villages and rolling hills. With evidence of human settlement in the area dating to the Neolithic era, Dorset is brimming with history from the prehistoric era to the present day.
