visit dorset video

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Dorset Videos

Explore deepest dorset.

Visit the towns and villages of Dorset's hidden gem - the rural north of the county.

Plan your very own Dorset adventure

A Dorset Video project collaboration.

Take time and discover Dorset

Let us inspire you with ideas of where to go, what to do and how to spend your days.

Explore Dorset's Gardens

Find your corner of paradise and savour Dorset's stunning gardens.

A Flavour of Rural Dorset

Dorset has some of the finest food and drink to be found anywhere and is famous the world over for its quality and quantity.

Explore Rural Dorset

Looking to get away from it all? Need inspiration? Then look no further than the stunning, green, rural idyll that is rural Dorset.

Fall in love with Dorset

We're sure after watching our video you'll love Dorset just as much as we do!

Share your Dorset

What does your dorset look like adventures on our epic coastline visiting attractions with family a walk through the beautiful countryside or perhaps a chilled out evening eating and drinking with friends discover a sample of your #visitdorset images below and share your love for dorset using the hashtag on instagram.   .

• Overall Guide to Dorset
• Dorset Coast
• Bournemouth
• Things to Do
• Food and Drink
• Festivals and Events
• Inspiration

15 of the Best Things to do in Dorset

• Last Updated 14 December, 2023

Some posts on this site contain affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Take a look at my privacy policy for more information.

If you want to know the best things to do in Dorset, the best person to ask is a local! Lucky for you, I was born and raised right here on Dorset’s glorious Jurassic Coast. So I’m here to share a few of the highlights of my home county.

There are a lot of amazing attractions in Dorset. Whether you’re looking for adventure, beautiful landscapes, peaceful countryside, or gorgeous beaches, this county has it all. Not to mention some top-notch seafood and lots of amazing restaurants.

From cliff walks with incredible coastal views to fun family days out at historic castles, there’s plenty to keep you busy while you’re exploring Dorset.

Relax on pristine sandy beaches, explore the county’s quirky history, go fossil hunting along the world-famous Jurassic Coast, or escape one of the several islands that dot the coastline.

Honestly, I could have included at least a hundred things to do in Dorset on this list! But in the interest of keeping things brief, I’ve stuck to the top sights and attractions for now.

Whatever you end up doing, you’re sure to enjoy this wonderful corner of the south coast. In fact, you may never want to leave! Enjoy…

Dorset Highlights: Interactive Map

15 Best Things to do in Dorset

Below, I’ve outlined the top highlights and must-see attractions in Dorset. This list is by no means extensive, of course. There’s so much more to see and do here! But this is a pretty good start!

Don’t have time to read the full post? Scroll on down to the quick Dorset checklist at the end of the page …

1. 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. It curves out into the sea in front of a sheltered bay, providing a stunning backdrop for a unique beach day.

It’s something of a “poster child” for the Jurassic Coast ; a 95-mile-long World Heritage Site famous for unique geographical formations and well-preserved fossils.

It’s not advised to swim through the arch as currents are pretty strong here, but you can take a guided kayaking tour for a chance to see Durdle Door from the water. For the best views on dry land, walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door along the cliff path (one mile each way).

READ MORE: How to Get to Durdle Door

2. 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.   This striking castle is over 1,000 years old – so there’s a LOT of history to discover here.

The castle was destroyed in 1646 during the English Civil War, and has a long – and often grisly – history to explore! And you can enjoy some fabulous views of Purbeck from between the ruined walls.

Be sure to visit the neighbouring village, also called Corfe Castle, for quaint stone cottages, cute cafes, and some fab independent shops and galleries.

3. 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.

The South West Coast Path ends right here in Dorset, 630 miles from its starting point in Minehead on the opposite coast. It’s a fabulous way to discover the local coastline.

You could walk the whole Dorset section in around a week, or choose a short section for a day or half-day walk. There are plenty of short circular walks along the coast that can be done in 1-2 hours, too. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Weymouth to the Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills
• Swanage to Dancing Ledge
• Old Harry Rocks Circular
• Golden Cap (the highest point on the south coast)

4. 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.

The historic stations have all been beautifully restored to give the full vintage experience. Soak up views of the rolling Purbeck hills from the carriage windows – including a fantastic view of Corfe Castle as you pass.

You can also break your journey at Corfe Castle station to explore a small, free railway museum and pay a visit to the ruined castle.

READ MORE: Best things to do in Dorset with kids

5. Visit Old Harry Rocks by Land or Sea

Old Harry Rocks  is a row of chalk rock stacks which stretch out into the sea from the headland of Handfast Point, near Studland.

The Rocks were once part of the same chalk band as The Needles on the Isle of Wight, eroded over the ages until only a few stacks remain at either end.

To visit by land, you can walk the short coast path from Studland to Handfast Point . Take care near the edges of the headland as there are no railings or fences.

You can also get a fantastic view of Old Harry Rocks from the sea! Rent a kayak or SUP at Studland’s South Beach (or join a kayaking tour) and paddle out into the bay towards the stacks. At low tide, there’s a small beach at the foot of one of the stacks where you can stop for a rest. Keep an eye out for seals, who can sometimes be seen sunbathing here!

6. Wander Along Weymouth Harbour

The popular seaside town of Weymouth evolved around its fishing harbour, which today is lined with colourfully painted buildings, great pubs, and some quirky independent shops.

It also boasts a lot of history. Ships sailed from here to fight in the Spanish Armada in 1588, while in the 17th century Civil War the harbour was the centre for much of the fighting. There’s still a cannonball lodged into the side of one of the harbourside buildings! Weymouth Harbour was also one of the main embarkation points for troops heading to the D-Day beach during WWII.

History aside, the colourful harbour is a lovely spot for a walk. Or you can simply sit on the harbourside with some fish and chips (I recommend Bennetts or Fish n’ Fritz) and watch the boats go by.

7. Go Fossil Hunting at Lyme Regis

One of the things Dorset and the Jurassic Coast is famous for is fossil-hunting! They can be found at many spots along the coast, but the best place to go looking for them is the beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth .

In fact, Lyme Regis is really the birthplace of British fossil hunting. Palaeontologist Mary Anning was born in this quaint seaside town, and became famous after discovering the first complete ichthyosaur to be found in England.

Visit the Ammonite Pavement, visible at low tide, or book a guided fossil hunting tour with either Lyme Regis Museum or the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre . Be sure to explore the collections in the museums, too.

8. Discover Thomas Hardy’s Dorchester

Historic Dorchester is our county town, so a visit here is definitely one of the top things to do in Dorset. It was also the hometown of the Victorian novelist Thomas Hardy, whose works include Tess of the D’Ubervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd.

You can visit Hardy’s birthplace – a pretty thatched-roof cottage in the village of Higher Bockhampton – as well as Max Gate in Dorchester, where he lived later in life.

But the real joy is in exploring the locations from Hardy’s novels . All his works were set in a fictionalised version of Dorset and southwest England, aka Wessex. Although the names were changed, the real-life locations are well known. Dorchester, Puddletown Forest, Stinsford, and Kingston Maurward House are some of the many real-life locations to have featured in Hardy’s works.

9. Get Windswept at Portland Bill

Joined to the mainland by the shingle arc of Chesil Beach, the Isle of Portland stretches out into the English Channel.  Portland Bill is its wildly rugged and rocky tip, where dramatic waves crash against the cliffs on rough days. The red-and-white lighthouse here dates from 1906.

Even if you’ve never heard of Portland, you may well have seen its stone somewhere! Some of the most famous buildings in London, including St Paul’s Cathedral, were built using Portland Limestone .

At Portland Bill, Pulpit Rock is an artificial stack leftover from one of the numerous quarries that once dotted the island. Nearby Tout Quarry is now a lovely sculpture park and nature reserve.

10. Escape to Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island is the largest of several small islands sheltered within the confines of Poole Harbour . At just 1.5 x 0.75 miles (2.4 x 1.2km), it’s small enough to walk around in less than a couple of hours!

This is a truly unspoilt nature reserve of woodland, heathland, and wetlands. Public vehicles are not allowed, and the only way to reach the island is as a foot passenger on a ferry. So the local wildlife thrives, undisturbed, including sika deer and numerous species of bird. You can also spot red squirrels, which are rarely found on mainland England.

Brownsea Island is also famous as the “birthplace of scouting”. This is where the first-ever scout camp was held, in 1907.

11. Soak Up the Views from Gold Hill

Often voted one of the prettiest streets in England, Gold Hill arguably offers one of the best views in Dorset. Made famous by the iconic Hovis bike advert in the 1970s, this postcard-perfect street is found in the small village of Shaftesbury in northern Dorset.

From the top of the cobbled street, you can look down across the thatched and brick cottages for sweeping views of Blackmore Vale.

12. Discover the Art Collection at Kingston Lacy

Fancy nosing around an English country manor? Head to Kingston Lacy, near Wimborne , a beautiful stately home designed to resemble a Venetian Palace. It sits on an 8,500-acre estate filled with gardens, heathland, and one of the loveliest bluebell woods in Dorset .

Much of the collection inside the house was amassed by William John Bankes in the mid 19th century. Although, sadly, there’s a good chance he never got to see it.

Bankes was caught in an “illicit act” with a guardsman at a time when homosexuality was punishable by death. This forced him into exile, and he spent the last 14 years of his life abroad. While he travelled, William John collected art and furniture and had it all sent back to the family home in Dorset, creating a fabulous collection with a surprising history.

13. Cerne Giant

This has to be one of the most unusual things to do in Dorset! The Cerne Abbas Giant is a giant chalk figure on the side of a hill in the Dorset Downs. It depicts a nude giant wielding a club and sporting a larger-than-life erection!

No one knows exactly how old it is or who built it. Historians have speculated that it could be a Celtic version of Hercules, while the most recent dating suggests it dates from Anglo-Saxon times. The earliest recorded mention of the Giant dates from the 17th century, so some experts have suggested that it may in fact be a 17th-century prank or political satire.

Follow this walk up Giant Hill and around the picturesque village of Cerne Abbas for great views.

14. Explore Sherborne’s Castles

Visit Sherborne in North Dorset for a quaint town centre, quiet countryside, and a tale of two castles.

Sherborne “New” Castle is a Tudor mansion built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, while the ruined Sherborne Old Castle dates from the 12th century.

The Old Castle was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War.  It was captured by the Parliamentarians, recaptured by the Royalists, survived two sieges,   and finally underwent heavy bombing which left it in ruins. 

The newer Sherborne Castle is one of the most stunning stately homes in Dorset ,  with a vast collection of furniture, paintings and porcelain. It’s also home to one of  Dorset’s best local vineyards !

15. Hit the Beach!

Without question, one of the best things to do in Dorset is to enjoy its beautiful beaches. From lively seaside towns such as historic Weymouth and bustling Bournemouth , to hidden coves that can only be reached by walking, there are plenty of incredible beaches to choose from in Dorset.

Sandbanks Beach is one of the most popular. This small peninsula near Poole is lined by a stunning white sand beach. It also happens to be the world’s most expensive seaside! The picturesque peninsula is home to a yacht-filled marina and some striking mansions along “Millionaires Row” (Sandbanks Street).

For something a little quieter, head across Poole Harbour to the beaches at Studland. The white sand dunes at Knoll Beach are usually relatively quiet, while Bramble Bush Bay is a bit of a hidden gem.

15 Things to do in Dorset: Quick List

• Durdle Door
• Corfe Castle
• Cliff Walks along the South West Coast Path
• Swanage Steam Railway
• Old Harry Rocks
• Weymouth Harbour
• Lyme Regis and Charmouth fossils
• Thomas Hardy’s Dorchester
• Portland Bill
• Brownsea island
• Gold Hill Shaftesbury
• Kingston Lacy
• Cerne Giant
• Sherborne’s Castles
• Beaches: Sandbanks, Bournemouth, Weymouth, and more!

I s there anything you’d add to this list of the best things to do in Dorset? Leave a comment with your recommendations!

4 thoughts on “15 of the Best Things to do in Dorset”

This site is great

Thanks so much Emma!

Absolutely fantastic site. HUGE thank you.

Thanks so much Trish – I’m glad you’re finding it helpful 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You May Also Like:

12 of the Best Forests and Woods in Dorset

15 of the Best Things to do Near Bournemouth

5 Waterfalls in Dorset You’ll Love to Visit

30 Rather Brilliant Things to do in Dorset

Planning to explore Dorset and not sure where to start? Don’t miss this guide to the best things to do in Dorset – brilliant places to visit, things to see and cool spots for your trip. 

Dorset is just beautiful – as someone who grew up on the outskirts of London, the first time I ventured down to Dorset as a teenager I absolutely fell in love. Who wouldn’t when the region boasts beautiful spots like Durdle Door and Lulworth Castle? 

I’m not the only one. Jane Austen loved it, Thomas Hardy was obsessed with it – but what is it about Dorset that captures people’s imaginations so? 

Time to find out with this guide to the best things to do in Dorset.

Top 5 Things to do in Dorset

Durdle door .

Gorgeous Durdle Door was England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, so named back in 2001.

One glance at this quirky “doorway” and you’re sure to agree it’s a worthy inclusion. Years of erosion have left this true natural wonder, which attracts tens of thousands of eager visitors and photographers every year.

It’s not just a pretty face, either. There’s also a nice (rocky) beach not far from the rock formation, so you can easily spend a couple of hours here if the weather is good.

You can even take a tour (starting from Bournemouth) that explores both Durdle Door and Lulworth Castle in one day.

Lulworth Castle 

Arguably the most beautiful castle in the south of England, Lulworth Castle is undeniably very, very romantic.

It was first built in the sixteenth century, not as a fortification but to entertain rich guests – hence its status as a “mock” castle.

Like many old castles, it was badly damaged by a fire and largely rebuilt back in the 1920s. Today, it is open to the public to admire the beautiful interior and fancy grounds.

If you’re looking to go full British then you can even stop in for a cuppa and a cake at the castle’s tea house.

Sherborne New Castle 

Don’t be fooled. Sherborne “New” Castle is actually over 400 years old. That’s pretty old if you ask me.

In fact, Sherborne New Castle was built back in the Tudor era of the late 16th Century. The reason for the moniker is that it’s believed to have replaced an even older castle built in the 12th Century.

Old or new, the castle is very beautiful and one of the best places to visit in Dorset. You can visit the elaborate gardens most of the year, but if you want to actually get inside the castle then you’ll need to visit on a Saturday.

They also run frequent events including some pretty impressive fireworks.

Chesil Beach 

Looking to enjoy a day at the beach in Dorset? Then I highly recommend making your way over to Chesil Beach.

Now, it is a shingle (rocky) beach, which I know don’t get the same love as their sandy counterparts. However, this is a seriously excellent shingle beach.

It’s not just me who thinks so – it’s considered one of the three best and most important rocky beaches in Britain.

I mean, it goes for a staggering 12 miles (28 kilometres), which you’ve got to admit is pretty epic. Don’t miss it when you’re penning your list of Dorset places to visit.

Brownsea Island 

The biggest island in Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island is one of the most famous Dorset tourist attractions. 

Although you can easily see the mainland while you’re on Brownsea, you still get those relaxed island vibes.

There are particularly great wildlife watching opportunities on the island. It’s easy to spot the international visitors – they’re the ones squawking at the (admittedly pretty cute) squirrels.

Brownsea Island is managed by the National Trust, so if you’ve got a pass then you get in for free. Winning.

More Brilliant Things to See & Do in Dorset 

Kingston lacey .

If I ever leave London and become horrendously wealthy, I plan to stake a claim for Kingston Lacey. This 17th-century mansion is seriously impressive.

If you’re interested in history then the backstory of Kingston Lacey is a dramatic and scandal-filled read. Or, you can just wander through the gardens and dream of the good life.

As dogs are welcome, this is one of my picks for things to do with dogs in Dorset.

Fun fact – Kingston Lacey was gifted to the National Trust back in 1981, along with the equally impressive (but far less preserved) Corfe Castle. If you’ve seen them both, it’s probably no surprise to hear it was the National Trust’s largest-ever donation.

Highcliffe Castle 

As you might have picked up from this list, Dorset isn’t short on a fancy castle or two. 

Of all of them, their settings don’t get much more impressive than the stunningly beautiful Highcliffe Castle .

The name might be a bit of a giveaway as to its location – up on the hilltop, overlooking the staggeringly beautiful coastline.

It’s no surprise to hear it’s a popular wedding venue, considering it really does look like something a romance novelist cooked up. Don’t miss it when you’re looking for what to do in Dorset.

Corfe Castle 

Owned by the same family as Kingston Lacey, Corfe Castle was the other half of the National Trust’s largest-ever donation.

The result is that absolutely everybody is welcome to come and visit this iconic place of interest in Dorset .

Now, if you’ve spent much time in the UK you’ll know that we’re not exactly lacking in ruined castles – but the fascinating backstory of this one makes it particularly special.

If you’re a bit of a history geek, then you’ll want to head along to one of the special events where you can find out more about the castle during the English Civil War.

Maiden Castle 

Don’t be fooled by the name, this is not a castle in the regular sense. Instead, it’s an iron age hill fort.

In fact, it’s not just any iron age hill fort – but the oldest and most complete in Britain.

Parts of the archaeological site date back around 3,500 years, making Maiden Castle around the same age as Stonehenge. There’s also significant evidence of a Roman settlement.

So, if you’ve got any interest in European or ancient history – you’d best add this to the list of unusual things to do in Dorset.

Hunting Down Thomas Hardy in Dorchester 

If you don’t know who Thomas Hardy is, I recommend brushing up before a visit to Dorchester. The author is kind of a big deal around these parts.

If you do know of the famous author, then you’re in for a treat. The area is peppered with plenty of sites relating to his life.

Dorchester itself inspired many of his novels, while you can also drop by to see his family home. The Dorset County Museum also houses several original manuscripts.

Cerne Giant 

Kids, look away now. Turns out drawing, ah, questionably-clad figures on things is not a modern invention.

Case in point: the Cerne Giant . Standing at 55 metres high and totally starkers, this is certainly one of the more memorable places to see in Dorset.

While some early historians thought that it was prehistoric, recent studies pitch it as a piece of political satire from around the 17th century.

If so, they really did leave their mark on the landscape.

Abbotsbury Swannery

For a seriously amazing and unique experience, head down to the Abbotsbury Swannery , one of the most exciting things to do in Dorset.

This area is home to more than 600 mute swans, including hundreds of breeding pairs. It’s a totally unique attraction, being the only place on earth where you can walk through a colony of mute swans.

If you’ve got any interest in wildlife photography or are looking to rack up the likes on Instagram – be sure to bring a camera.

Portland Castle 

In the mid 16th Century, Henry VIII (the one who famously offed his wives) built a number of fortifications along the coast of England. This was so that Old Blighty could be protected from the cunning French and Spanish.

One of these was Portland Castle , and it’s one of the best preserved examples of a coastal fort. Today, you can check it out and also admire the sweeping views from it.

Walk in the Footsteps of Jane Austen at Lyme Regis 

Now, I could tell you that Lyme Regis is beautiful – but I suspect you’ll put more weight on the words of Jane Austen. 

The famous author described it breathlessly in her novel Persuasion, having visited the area at least twice on research missions.

Whether you love Jane Austen’s novels or just trust her (or my) judgement on beautiful places, it’s a great option if you’re looking for where to go in Dorset.

Sherborne Abbey 

There are quite a lot of old abbeys around England, however many of them have been ruined due to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. 

That’s why it’s so fascinating to visit a well-preserved one like Sherborne Abbey .

It’s believed to have been a spiritually significant site since at least 705, although much of what is on display dates from the 13th and 15th centuries.

Forde Abbey

Yet another beautiful old abbey is Forde Abbey , which is a privately owned Cistern Abbey. 

Originally started by 12 monks in the 12th century, the abbey is (unsurprisingly) Grade I heritage listed.

Far from being a dusty museum, the Abbey is open to the public to explore and admire. It’s set amongst over 1,600 acres of beautiful gardens, making it a fabulous thing to do in Dorset for adults – although kids may also appreciate the wide green space.

Free Things to do in Dorset 

Bournemouth beach .

Dorset is famous for its beautiful coast, and with beautiful coast comes beautiful beaches. Like Bournemouth Beach.

Technically, Bournemouth actually has several beaches that overlap, offering a magnificent seven miles of dazzling sand and surf.

They’re well-maintained, with lifeguards and constant cleanups, making them some of the most popular in England. For good reason.

Isle of Portland 

Located about five miles out to sea in the English Channel, the Isle of Portland is a seriously cool place to visit.

It’s just far enough away that you feel like you’re on a real adventure. Plus, all the cool maritime-inspired attractions like the historic lighthouse adds to the feeling of being a real explorer.

As well as the attractions including a castle and museum, the Isle is also famous for its gorgeous wild scenery – so strap on those walking shoes and get ready for a hike.

Isle of Purbeck 

Yet another spot to take in some seriously gorgeous coastal views is the Isle of Purbeck. 

So, sorry to burst your bubble, but the Isle of Purbeck is not technically an island. That said, it is surrounded by water on three sides – so close enough, I guess?

Island or no, it’s got amazing coastal views for miles and miles. There’s also a golf club if you consider yourself a Tiger Woods in the making.

Sandbanks Poole 

Sandbanks Poole is home to one of the best beaches in all of Britain. If you don’t believe me just ask the local real estate agents – rich people are falling over themselves to secure a home nearby.

I certainly don’t blame them – this sandy, wide beach is enough to make you think you’ve popped up in the south of France.

There’s also a very beautiful harbour, as well as a small selection of shops and cafes to browse as well.

Weymouth Beach 

If you’re looking for beaches, then Dorset really does deliver. 

Weymouth Beach is yet another popular option, thanks to its long stretch of soft sand and calm, warm water. 

Located along the Jurassic Coast, it’s also got pretty beautiful views and is a great stop off after a hike.

Stair Hole Bay 

You know those places that are super gorgeous and tend to go viral on Instagram? Stair Hole Bay is one of those places — minus the viral fame (for now).

Not far from Lulworth Cove, it’s a little pool of dazzling blue with interesting rock formations around.

It’s a popular route with kayakers, or you can make your way down to it – I just recommend wearing some sturdy footwear so you don’t take a tumble.

Tout Quarry 

Mining isn’t usually associated with beauty, but in the case of Tout Quarry, they’ve really made the best of a bad situation.

In fact, this abandoned stone quarry has become one of Portland’s most famous attractions since it was turned into a sculpture park.

There’s more than 60 sculptures to discover, with artists completing residencies since the 1980s. 

Cool Things Do in Dorset in the Rain 

Sea life .

Learn more about the world under the sea at Sea Life in Dorset. With sixteen themed areas, you can be dazzled by the different sea creatures.

There are plenty of interesting and informative things to do at Sea Life, however my personal favourite is to visit the teensy Little Penguins. They’re the smallest penguins in the world, and seriously cute.

They run lots of fun events, especially in the school holidays – so check out the website to see what’s on.

Dorset County Museum 

One of the oldest museums in the south of England, the Dorset County Museum was set up way back in the mid 1800s.

In fact, it replaced a pub – I guess I have to admit that’s better for your brain cells.

The design is distinctly Neo-Gothic on the inside and out, which is pretty cool. Inside, things are even better.

There’s an impressive collection of objects relating to the Dorset area. It’s a wide-spanning collection, from local author Thomas Hardy’s original manuscripts to fossilised dinosaur footprints.

Lyme Regis Museum 

I just love cute little local museums, and the Lyme Regis Museum is a beauty. 

The museum was built back in 1901, by Thomas Philpott. His aunt – and the inspiration for the museum – was Elizabeth Philpott. Elizabeth was a fossil collector so prolific that she ended up with her own Wikipedia page.

Fittingly, the museum is mainly devoted to fossils and geology of the Jurassic Coast area. However, the collection is wider, incorporating local and maritime history as well.

If you’re looking for things to do in Dorset on a rainy day, this is a great option.

Unusual Things to do in Dorset

Old harry rocks .

Marking the most easterly point of the incredibly beautiful Jurassic Coast Path, the Old Harry Rock s are quite the spectacle.

Jutting out of the water, they’re a stark white against the blue of the ocean and green of the mainland. 

No wonder that photographers (and nature lovers) are kind of obsessed with them. 

If you want to see this Dorset attraction you’ll want to hurry on over – one (Harry’s Wife) has already collapsed.

Tyneham Ghost Village

Since WWII, Dorset’s Tyneham Village has been completely abandoned – in 1943, the villagers who resided there were given notice that they would need to leave within 28 days as the area was required in order to train soldiers.

But today, the village still sits in ruins. It’s really cool to wander around and see a quaint English village frozen in time, completely undisturbed. Keep your eyes peeled for the ultra-retro phone box – London who?

Pirate’s Graveyard

St Andrew’s Church in Portland is known by many by its creepier title, the Pirate’s Graveyard. 

Sitting underneath the equally-spooky Portland Castle are the ruins of the church and the bones of smugglers who used to operate within the region. Not to mention the incredible sea view. Make sure to visit the castle while you’re there.

I won’t lie, it’s a bit eerie, but it’s a great place to bring older kids along to.

Knob Throwing

Yes, you read that correctly – this cheeky biannual event involves hurling the area’s famous bread rolls – (or is it a biscuit?) – known as Dorset knobs, FYI. A food market also takes place alongside the event, so you’ll get to try out local delicacies.

Bear with me on this one. Attractions include: Knob eating, knob painting, guessing the weight of the Big Knob (I’m not making this up, I swear), and a knob and spoon race.

Whilst the exact date and location changes each year, this is a pretty unique way to spend a day in Dorset. 

Places to Visit in Dorset: Practical Tips for Your Trip

How long should i stay in dorset .

As you can see from this list, for a relatively quiet place there is a lot to do in Dorset. Many people choose to spend extended breaks here, enjoying the amazing sights and relaxed seaside atmosphere.

A few days to a week will give you plenty of time to explore – which is especially ideal if you like history and hope to take a deep dive into the sights.

That said, if you’re on a tight time frame then an overnight trip from London is possible. It’s best to do this in summer when the days are long, giving you enough time to really explore it.

Best Time to Visit Dorset

Since Dorset is on the coast, you’ll see it at its best during summer. At this time, the sun is (often) shining and rain is at a minimum – meaning you can enjoy sunny days at the beach.

Of course, you won’t be the only one who thinks so, so prepare to share the beach.

If you prefer the peace and quiet, then late spring or early summer are good alternatives. They may be on the cool side, but you won’t have to compete with the crowds.

Where Should I Stay in Dorset? 

While there are plenty of hotels in Dorset, it’s a fabulous destination for a self-catered holiday as there’s plenty to keep you entertained for the course of a week or two and you can settle in to explore the area at your leisure.. 

Dorset Coastal Cottages offers a range of comfortable and stylish properties dotted around the Dorset, including fabulous options in Lyme Regis, Lulworth and the Isle of Purbeck.

Dorset Attractions: Map 

Love This? Save and Share on Pinterest

I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

Related Posts

2 Days in London: A Fun-Filled London Itinerary

What to Pack for London: A Handy London Packing List

Best Places to Stay in Bath: Best Areas & Hotels For Your Trip

Where to Stay in Cambridge: The Best Areas + Hotels For Your Trip

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow me on Instagram for travel inspiration, tips, and guides.

What a prickle…

We're sorry – it looks like something's gone wrong

Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Places to Visit in Dorset (England)

15 Best Places to Visit in Dorset (England)

In England’s West Country, Dorset is a rural place without a single city.

But what Dorset does have is the most romantic countryside and heroic coastal landscapes that make up the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast.

Wherever you go there’s always something memorable to see close by.

On the sea are atmospheric ports, perfect sandy beaches, massive cliffs and natural wonders like Durdle Door.

You’re in England’s fossil-hunting capital here, where exciting finds are guaranteed with a little patience.

And strewn across the interior are castles, abbeys and stately homes, many of which you may already have seen on TV or in movies.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Dorset :

1. Weymouth

It’s easy to see why the coastal town of Weymouth is such a hit with tourists: Straight away there’s the enchanting harbour, set on the banks of the River Wey before it reaches the sea.

The quays have a quaint jumble of old inns and warehouses, and you can take in the scene from a waterside bench and watch the yachts and trawlers come and go.

And then there’s the beach: Long, sandy and with waters safe for kids to spend whole sunny days paddling and splashing around.

There’s always something big going on in Weymouth, be it the Kite Festival in May and the Seafood Festival on the quaysides in July.

• 2.  Bournemouth

A spa town from the early-1800s onwards, Bournemouth attracted Regency and Victorian society’s upper crust for health retreats for its warm climate (comparatively!), gardens, pine woodland and fresh sea air.

Large villas were built in this time and continue to lend the town a feeling of grandeur and opulence.

There are seven miles of beaches on the coast, one of which is the Blue Flag Alum Chine, with perfect golden sands.

Potter around the artisan shops in Westbourne and sample the nightlife around the Square area.

A real trove of British art and decoration awaits at the Russell-Cotes Gallery, set in a sumptuous Art Nouveau villa on a cliff-top.

3. Dorchester

Dorset’s county town is both beautiful and historic, with tons of listed buildings in its centre and majestic estates like Athelhampton and Kingston Maurward in the immediate countryside.

For shopping and nightlife, look no further than the newly regenerated Brewery Square, set in front of the striking old Eldridge Pope Brewery.

The esteemed Victorian writer Thomas Hardy spent most of his life in and near Dorchester.

You can visit Thomas Hardy’s Cottage, a quaint thatched house where he was born in 1840 and resided until 34, during which time he wrote classics like Far from the Madding Crowd.

Also open is the more sophisticated Max Gate, a Victorian mansion that Hardy occupied from 1885 until he died in 1928.

4. Jurassic Coast

The entirety of Dorset’s western shoreline, from Studley all the way to the boundary with Devon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The rugged limestone throughout has recorded some 185 million years of natural history, and is layered with fossils of the plants and animals that have lived in this area during that time.

The beaches have been prime fossil-hunting territory for hundreds of years, and were first made famous by the 19th-century amateur, Mary Anning, whose eye for a valuable fossil has never been equalled.

The village of Charmouth is right by Golden Cap, the highest cliff on England’s south coast, and is also home to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre where you can tap into the natural and human history of this singular coastline.

On a vast natural harbour, Poole’s calm, sheltered seas are possibly the best on the south coast for watersports, and sailors, fishers, windsurfers all very well-catered for.

If you’re up for some sightseeing, the twee traditional quay in Poole is a working maritime district and the point of embarkation for a host of cruises and excursions.

One of the favourites is Brownsea Island, owned entirely by the National Trust and cloaked in pine and oak woodland, with exciting little fragments of history here and there.

But Sandbanks is what really draws the crowds in Poole.

Most people say it’s the best beach in Britain, a sandy spit that shields the north side of the harbour and has a kilometre of soft golden sand.

6. Sherborne

It’s not unusual to see Sherborne included in lists of the UK’s most beautiful towns.

Sherborne is mostly built with the ochre-coloured “ham stone”, quarried from just across the boundary in Somerset and making everything just a little more gorgeous.

For a small town there’s a great deal to see.

The abbey is outstanding, particularly the fine fan vaulting in the nave and chance.

This building started out as a Saxon cathedral in the early-8th century, and you can still see vestiges of this structure around the western portal . Add to this, two castles, the newest of which was ordered by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, and you’ll have enough for a breathless couple days of sightseeing.

7. Lyme Regis

If you fancy yourself as the next Mary Anning make a bee-line for Monmouth Beach where she found most of her fossils.

The word is that you have a better chance of finding something when the weather is unsettled at low tide.

In summer you may just be in need of a blissful few hours by the sea.

The Cobb is an fabled landmark, a powerful harbour wall that you may know from Meryl Streep’s the French Lieutenant’s Woman, and was also described in Persuasion by Jane Austin, who lived in Lyme Regis for a time.

In which case, Cobb beach is the spot for you, a spotless pebble beach on with calm seas that are transparent when the sun’s out.

8. Christchurch

If you’re in Bournemouth there’s no reason not to board the train for the town of Christchurch, just a brief jaunt to the east.

This town combines unblemished countryside, a gorgeous old quarter and first-rate beaches with a harbour at the confluence of two rivers.

There’s so much to discover in the area that you’d be better off hiring a bike to get from one beautiful place to the next.

You can go for a restorative walk by Highcliffe beach, try crab-fishing at Mudeford Quay or explore the ruins of the Constable’s House, an original Norman building.

Best of all could be Christchuch Priory, a glorious medieval monastery that survived Henry VIII’s Dissolution by becoming a parish church in the 1500s.

In wonderful scenery, Swanage is a seaside town with a beach that is up there with the best in the county.

The beach has soft white sands, and its shallow incline creates lots of shallow water for littler beach-goers to play in.

On steep hillsides, the resort is very smart and has taken good care of its Victorian stone buildings which house tea rooms, pubs and fish & chip shops.

This being the Jurassic Coast there are natural wonders here.

Old Harrys Rocks is the most majestic site in the area an ensemble of chalk outcrops.

If you laugh in the face of vertigo you can walk along the eroded path on the narrow isthmus, where there’s a sheer drop on either side, to get a closer look at the vertical stack at the end.

10. Shaftesbury

A lovable country town, Shaftesbury is the only major hilltop community in Dorset, located more than 200 metres above sea level.

Shaftesbury is well-accustomed to visitors and has its fair share of inns and bed & breakfasts in wonderful period buildings.

There has been a settlement at this site since at least Saxon times, and the former abbey was established in the 9th century.

Pop into the museum next to the ruins that now decorate a sublime garden.

Gold Hill meanwhile, encapsulates rural England perfectly.

This steep cobbled street has stone thatched cottages and the most astounding views of the countryside.

Gold Hill first came to the nation’s attention via a Ridley Scott commercial for Hovis bread, and it has since become a cherished landmark.

11. Blandford Forum

In 1731 the town of Blandford was razed by fire.

And this event is what grants it such an architectural unity today, as nearly everything you see in the centre is from the reconstruction in the years that followed, led by the uncommonly-named Bastard Brothers.

So the pleasure of visiting Blandford lies in navigating its genteel Georgian streets, particularly around the baroque town hall and corn exchange, which are both Grade I-listed.

There’s a Fire Monument in the marketplace to commemorate the fire, and the town museum has interesting exhibits about the grand rebuild.

An absolute must-do in around Blandford is the Hall & Woodhouse brewery, in business since 1777 and famed for its Tanglefoot bitter.

12. Lulworth

Comprising both East and West Lulworth, this area in the middle of the Jurassic Coast has some of the UNESCO site’s most heart-lifting seascapes.

The most inspiring of these is Durdle Door, a natural arch facing a secluded sandy bay.

The arch is set off by the more resistant limestone, which climbs above Durdle Door to the east and is also spectacular when viewed from Man O’ War Bay next door.

Lulworth Cove is majestic too, rated as one of the South’s seven natural wonders, and forming an almost perfect bowl protected by rugged rocks.

Put Lulworth Castle on your itinerary as well: Even though it has a brawny appearance, this 17th-century building was always more of a stately home than a fortress, and has seen a lot of fascinating events in its time.

13. Wareham

Few English towns can claim to be defended by their Anglo-Saxon walls.

But Wareham can make that brag, and if you’re an amateur historian you have to take a tour of these tall earthen banks.

The walls are actually Roman in origin, but the Saxons beefed them up during the reign of Alfred the Great to keep out the Danes.

There are information boards on the way to point out the sites of ancient skirmishes and bloody executions.

A little way from Wareham are the eerie but beautiful ruins of Corfe Castle, where large chunks of the keep and imperious gatehouses remain.

14. Isle of Portland

You’ll be leaving Dorset’s soft and forgiving countryside behind when you cross the tombolo at Chesil Beach onto Portland, a huge plate of Jurassic limestone.

This is a craggy, elongated island, four miles in length and exposed to the elements.

Some of the world’s most famous landmarks are made from stone quarried at this very place: Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and even the United Nations headquarters in New York feature Portland Stone.

The limestone is a big attraction for adventure sports fanatics who come to climb and abseil on the rocks.

For everyone else there’s uplifting walks, energising coastal scenery and sights like Portland Castle, an artillery fort commissioned by Henry VIII in 1539.

15. Bridport

This town has two parts, the inland Bridport, an agreeable market town in hilly countryside, and West Bay, an uncommonly charming fishing harbour on the coast.

The town is very visitor-friendly and has a good selection of one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants to keep you around a little longer.

And then the coastal section is a traditional port, limestone cliffs and a tempting sandy beach.

Fossil-hunting is also on the menu in this town, and the Bridport Tourist Information Centre can give you tips to make sure your hunt is as successful as possible.

15 Best Places to Visit in Dorset (England):

• Jurassic Coast
• Christchurch
• Shaftesbury
• Blandford Forum
• Isle of Portland

Places to visit in Dorset

Bring the family for a day out and step behind the scenes of a Hollywood movie or bestselling novel in stunning Dorset. You can find your own Jurassic Park on beaches sprinkled with fossils and smuggler's caves or trace Thomas Hardy novels on open heaths and vales. The southwest county's dramatic coastline is an outdoor sculpture gallery with arches, stacks and coves carved by Mother Nature herself, a must-see attraction in Dorset. Casual amblers and serious ramblers alike can trek ridgeways between Bronze Age burial mounds and castle ruins. With so many incredible places to visit in Dorset you’ll leave knowing exactly why this county is incredibly popular for vacations and staycations alike.

47 Experience Results

View results as:

• Bournemouth (10) Apply Bournemouth filter
• Cycling (2) Apply Cycling filter
• Extreme Sports (2) Apply Extreme Sports filter
• Tours and trails (3) Apply Tours and trails filter
• Watersports (2) Apply Watersports filter
• Free (2) Apply Free filter
• Low cost (1) Apply Low cost filter
• Markets (1) Apply Markets filter
• Beaches (5) Apply Beaches filter
• Coastal landmarks and Islands (2) Apply Coastal landmarks and Islands filter
• Coastal towns (8) Apply Coastal towns filter
• Seaside resorts (1) Apply Seaside resorts filter
• Areas of outstanding natural beauty (1) Apply Areas of outstanding natural beauty filter
• Forests and woodlands (2) Apply Forests and woodlands filter
• Gardens and Parks (6) Apply Gardens and Parks filter
• Wildlife and Nature Reserves (1) Apply Wildlife and Nature Reserves filter
• Festivals and carnivals (4) Apply Festivals and carnivals filter
• Hidden gems (1) Apply Hidden gems filter
• Literature, film and TV (8) Apply Literature, film and TV filter
• Museums galleries and libraries (2) Apply Museums galleries and libraries filter
• Music and nightlife (1) Apply Music and nightlife filter
• Music festivals in England (1) Apply Music festivals in England filter
• Outdoor art and sculpture (2) Apply Outdoor art and sculpture filter
• Performing arts (1) Apply Performing arts filter
• Days Out in England (1) Apply Days Out in England filter
• December events (1) Apply December events filter
• November events (1) Apply November events filter
• September events (2) Apply September events filter
• Attractions (5) Apply Attractions filter
• Dog friendly (2) Apply Dog friendly filter
• Outdoor Activities (3) Apply Outdoor Activities filter
• Toddler Friendly Holidays (2) Apply Toddler Friendly Holidays filter
• Zoos wildlife and safari parks (2) Apply Zoos wildlife and safari parks filter
• Eating out (1) Apply Eating out filter
• Food markets and experiences (1) Apply Food markets and experiences filter
• Regional specialities (1) Apply Regional specialities filter
• Vineyards and wine tasting (1) Apply Vineyards and wine tasting filter
• Abbeys cathedrals and sacred places (1) Apply Abbeys cathedrals and sacred places filter
• Archaeological sites (1) Apply Archaeological sites filter
• Castles and Historic Properties (7) Apply Castles and Historic Properties filter
• Industrial Maritime And Transport (1) Apply Industrial Maritime And Transport filter
• Military history (1) Apply Military history filter
• Myths Legends and Tales (1) Apply Myths Legends and Tales filter
• World heritage sites (3) Apply World heritage sites filter
• Luxury and indulgence (1) Apply Luxury and indulgence filter
• Shopping and fashion (1) Apply Shopping and fashion filter
• Rural and Coastal Escapes (4) Apply Rural and Coastal Escapes filter
• Unique Experiences (2) Apply Unique Experiences filter
• Autumn (9) Apply Autumn filter
• Spring (9) Apply Spring filter
• Summer (27) Apply Summer filter
• Winter (3) Apply Winter filter

Top 10 places to visit in Dorset this summer

Take a Dorset adventure this summer for top-notch seafood, squirrel spotting, cool hotels and Instagrammable villages.

Pier to Pier in Bournemouth

Got a spare hour or two in Bournemouth? Then take a stroll between the two piers.

Location: Bournemouth, Dorset

Learn how to find fossils with a guided fossil walk

Take the family on a fossil hunting walk along Charmouth Beach and uncover prehistoric history while walking along a dramatic stretch of coastline.

Location: Charmouth, Dorset

Make waves on a water sports holiday in Bournemouth

Bournemouth has a vast array of water sports on offer throughout the year for both the novice and professional.

See the gardens in bloom in Bournemouth

Head down to Bournemouth to see the extensive collection of gardens and enjoy the wide range of facilities on offer.

Kingston Lacy: an Italian palace in Dorset

Home to a rather fabulous collection that includes pieces by Rubens, Van Duyck, Titian.

Location: Poole, Dorset

Camp at Corfe Castle

Explore this 1,000-year-old fortress above an eponymous Dorset village that's filled with wonky old cottages.

Location: Corfe, Dorset

Make friends at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre

Home to over 250 rescued and endangered primates, this sanctuary lets you get up close and personal with all kinds of monkeys, gorillas and apes.

Location: Wareham, Dorset

Explore Lyme Regis

Wander round narrow streets and along the South West Coastal Path.

Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset

Uncover Wareham’s southern charm and civil war past

Wareham is packed with old red-brick houses and wonky, half-timber cottages that'll have your trigger finger reaching for the camera button.

Find romance in the depths of Thomas Hardy Country

Enjoy woodland walks and cosy inns, and immerse yourself in the romantic landscape that this renowned writer called home.

Location: Dorset

Have yourself a Famous Five adventure

Follow in the footsteps of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five with some castle capers and a seaside adventure by steam railway.

Location: Corfe Castle, Dorset

Visit the world’s best collection of tanks

Heroes big or small can find fun at The Tank Museum.

Majestic views at a Corfe Castle picnic

Enjoy breathtaking views at the majestic ruins of Corfe Castle in the perfect idyllic picnic spot.

Take to the slopes in Dorset

The Snowtrax alpine activity centre will transport you to the mountains for the day.

Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Enjoy high-wire and two-wheeled adventure in the Moors Valley

Enjoy adrenaline-fuelled activities for all the family in Moors Valley Country Park in the lovely Dorset countryside.

Location: Ashley Heath, Dorset

Take a walk through history in Cranborne

Explore the landscape of Cranborne Chase which inspired the father of modern archaeology, William Fox Pitt.

Location: Cranborne, Dorset

Visit a movie star house

Discover Bathsheba's 'Everdene Farm' from Far From the Madding Crowd in Dorset.

Location: Beaminster, Dorset

Peel away the layers of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

Trace a history that goes back millions of years as you meander Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast, England’s first UNESCO Natural World Heritage site.

Explore the West Bay coastline as seen on TV’s Broadchurch

Soak up the picture-perfect setting used in the TV series Broadchurch as you explore West Bay on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.

Location: West Bay, Dorset

Explore an island of discovery

Explore Portland’s rugged landscape and breathtaking views and discover its history, heritage and natural assets.

Location: Portland, Dorset

Enjoy a luxurious camping trip at Crafty Camping

Luxury glamping in a beautiful forest setting alongside Guy Mallinson’s Woodland Workshop, featured in the BBC Mastercrafts series.

Location: Holditch, Dorset

• See more results

Related Items

Nearby places to visit, bournemouth.

Ambles through woodland lanes pausing at thatch-roofed tearooms and village pubs, canoe trips down bubbling streams and canters across heathland; that's what days in the New Forest are made of.

Isle of Wight

Visit the Isle of Wight for picture perfect sandy beaches, timeless villages, royal castles and a range of fun loving festivals. With so much to do for kids and adults alike, the Isle of Wight is a vibrant place to visit.

We've something we want to share

Want to receive travel tips and ideas by email?

VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website, it should take no more than a couple of minutes.

Go to the survey

To add items to favourites …

… you need to be logged in.

If you already have an account, log in.

Or register a new account

Access your account

Getty Images/Moment RF

Holiday hot spot Dorset offers a checklist of charms. Its shoreline is one of Britain’s best and boasts the Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site flecked with sea-carved bays, crumbly cliffs and beaches loaded with fossilised souvenirs. Swimming, kayaking and hiking here are memorable indeed. Inland, Thomas Hardy's lyrical landscape serves up vast Iron Age hill forts, rude chalk figures, fairy-tale castles and must-see stately homes. Then there are resorts alive with party animals, golden beaches flanked by millionaires' mansions, and sailing waters that have hosted Olympic events. Time then to add Dorset to your holiday list.

Best Things to Do

Attractions, must-see attractions.

Corfe Castle

The massive, shattered ruins of Corfe Castle loom so dramatically from the landscape it's like blundering into a film set. The defensive fragments tower…

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is the poster child of Dorset's Jurassic Coast. This immense, sea-fringed, 150-million-year-old Portland stone arch was created by a…

Kingston Lacy

Dorset's must-see stately home looks every inch the setting for a period drama. It overflows with rich decor, most famously in the Spanish Room, which is…

Clouds Hill

The tiny cottage that was home to TE Lawrence (1888–1935) provides a compelling insight into a complex man. The British soldier became legendary after…

Maiden Castle

Occupying a massive slab of horizon on the southern fringes of Dorchester, Maiden Castle is the largest and most complex Iron Age hill fort in Britain…

Tout Quarry

Portland's white limestone has been quarried for centuries and has been used in some of the world's finest buildings, such as the British Museum and St…

Cerne Giant

Rarely do you find such a nudge-nudge, wink-wink tourist attraction. Nude, full frontal and notoriously well endowed, this hillside chalk figure is…

Dorset County Museum

The Thomas Hardy collection here is the world's largest, offering extraordinary insights into his creative process. You can see from text in Hardy's…

Top picks from our travel experts

Discover the best things to do in dorset, from finding fossils to coastal hikes.

Brownsea Island

On this small, wooded island in the middle of Poole Harbour, trails weave through heath and woods, past peacocks, red squirrels, red deer and a wealth of…

Highlights include sharks, penguins and seahorses, and talks and feeding demonstrations are held throughout the day. Tickets fall to £14 for adults and …

Monkey World

An appealing sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees, orang-utans, gibbons, marmosets and some utterly adorable ring-tailed lemurs.

Lyme Regis Museum

In 1814 local teenager Mary Anning found the first full ichthyosaur skeleton near Lyme Regis, propelling the town on to the world stage. An incredibly…

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

The centre has engaging displays about the Jurassic Coast and also runs between one and seven fossil-hunting walks a week (adult/child £8/4). They're…

Plan with a local

Experience the real England

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from Dorset

Filter by interest:

• All Interests
• Adventure Travel
• Art & Culture
• Beaches, Coasts & Islands
• Food & Drink

Jul 18, 2022 • 7 min read

From prehistoric adventures on the Jurassic Coast to wildlife, culture and unexpected gems in the county’s picturesque interior, the only problem with choosing…

Aug 27, 2020 • 2 min read

Apr 2, 2020 • 2 min read

Oct 14, 2014 • 7 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Dorset

Dorset and beyond.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The 9 best things to do in Dorset

Explore some of the most expensive properties in the world when exploring our list of best things to do in Dorset

From the magical Durdle Door to the lush Argyll Gardens in Bournemouth , the best things to do in Dorset have the power of nature front and centre. How could they not? The third most southerly county in England is blessed with beauty at every turn, with over half of Dorset designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The natural beauty finds its way into the towns, with buzzing farmer's markets, quaint local shops and a sense of community marking Dorset as a delightful place. No matter your preferred style of vacation, Dorset steps up to the plate and smashes it out of the park.

An email you’ll actually love

Best things to do in Dorset

1.  Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

Where is it?  Between Poole and Weymouth. 

What is it?  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.

Why go?  As one of Dorset’s most photographed landmarks, Durdle Door is worth the car journey. This spectacular coastline was designated England’s first natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. It’s even in the same prestigious family as America’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Better on a sunny day, get there in time to enjoy a good Dorset sunset – a half-hour walk will lead you over to similarly picturesque Lulworth Cove, perfect for a picnic.

2.  Lyme Regis

Where is it?  West Dorset.

What is it?  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.

Why go?  Lyme Regis is high up on the list of places to visit within Dorset. A popular palaeontology spot for fossil-hunters, there’s even a dedicated annual Lyme Regis Fossil Festival. But if you’re more interested in frocks than rocks, you’ll find a handful of cute boutiques to browse too. Wolf down fish fingers and chips at light and airy Hix Oyster & Fish House before checking out Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s renowned River Cottage HQ, only a few miles away. If you fancy getting stuck into a cookery course in a rustic farmhouse, this is the place.

3.  Gold Hill

Where is it?  Shaftesbury.

What is it?  The only real hilltop town in Dorset, Shaftesbury overlooks the lush Blackmore Vale (part of the Stour Valley).

Why go?  Shaftesbury had a taste of fame in 1973 with Ridley Scott’s Hovis’s ‘Bike’ advert, which features an industrious young lad pushing his basket of loaves up Gold Hill. The hill looks exactly the same today and hosts an annual ‘Cheese Race’, requiring contestants to cart 25kg wheels of cheese up the steep and cobbled street. 

4.  Brownsea Island

Where is it?  Poole Harbour. 

What is it?  The largest of the islands in Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island is where the Scouts originated from back in 1907.

Why go?  Accessible by  ferry  or private boat, Brownsea Island is home to a nature reserve and a great deal of wildlife. Most of the island is owned by the National Trust, but Dorset Wildlife Trust owns a portion of land, too. If you're lucky, you might spot an indigenous red squirrel, spotted Silka deer or roaming peacock. The island features a visitor centre, museum, and a cafe for mid-afternoon cuppa. Consider booking tickets for Brownsea Open Air Theatre, which annually stages open-air Shakespeare plays in a unique setting.

5.  Bridport

Where is it?  East along the coast from Lyme Regis. 

What is it?  The pretty town of Bridport holds a popular farmer’s market every second Saturday of the month.

Why go?  Once voted the ‘best Farmer’s Market in Dorset’, you can find over 30 local producers at this twice-monthly Bridport event. Cheese, chutneys, bread, meats, local veg – foodies will agree that there are few nicer ways to spend a weekend than idly browsing a market. In fact, Bridport also holds a weekly market (every Wednesday and Saturday) selling bric-a-brac, clothing, flowers and food. Complete your weekly shopping trip by swinging by Furleigh Estate Vineyard and Winery for a bottle of local wine.

6.  Studland Beach and Nature Reserve

Where is it?  Just south of Poole. 

What is it?  A bracing beach walk is a must when visiting Dorset’s spectacular coastline. Studland Bay in Purbeck features a four-mile stretch of golden, sandy beach.

Why go?  Whether you want to crash out on the sand with a good book, embrace a bit of water sport action or tackle one of the Bay’s designated nature trails, Studland Bay has something for everyone. An (almost) 1 kilometre stretch of beach is a designated naturist zone if that's your bag. Beloved hotel and restaurant  The Pig  is mere moments from the beach and offers simple British garden food as well a snug room for the night.

7.  Hardy’s Cottage

Where is it?  Near Dorchester. 

What is it?  No author has captured the essence of the West Country quite like Thomas Hardy. His birthplace is the quintessential country cottage in Higher Bockhampton.

Why go?  Hardy was born in this cob and thatch cottage in 1840. Built by his great grandfather, it sits beside nature reserve and woodland Thorncombe Woods (visit in Spring for a bluebell fest). Featuring a pleasingly cute English cottage garden, the house was left much as it was inhabited by the Hardy family. Unlike some historical houses and museums, visitors have access to all the cottage’s nooks and crannies. Venture into the author’s old bedroom, in which he penned early classics ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ and ‘Under the Greenwood Tree’. To get the full Thomas Hardy experience, visit nearby Max Gate, the house the author designed and moved to on the outskirts of Dorchester. Both are National Trust properties. Head south to the coast for a glimpse of Chesil Beach, the setting for Hardy’s ‘The Well-Beloved’ and, more recently, Ian McEwen’s ‘On Chesil Beach’. 

8.  Sandbanks

What is it?  Heard of Sandbanks? This stretch of sand in Poole Harbour is the most expensive bit of coast in Britain.

Why go?  With its slightly flashy reputation, pricey Poole Harbour has been likened to Palm Springs (albeit with a chillier climate). Football manager Harry Redknapp famously lives here, and the streak of impressive multi-million-pound houses along Sandbanks is certainly worth a nosy. After a spot of property window shopping, enjoy a slap-up fish lunch at revered seafood spot  Storm . Flower lovers should amble over to  Compton Acres  – this privately owned garden is open to the public and zoned with different themes: Italian garden, Japanese garden, heather garden, and a wilder, wooded area. Stop for a hot beverage at the charming tea room.

9.  Alum Chine and Argyll Gardens

Where is it?  Bournemouth.

What is it?  For a taste of the tropics, visit the lush Argyll gardens at Alum Chine.

Why go?  Alum Chine beach is quieter than those beaches close to Bournemouth town centre, and along with nearby Argyll gardens, this is the ideal spot to spend a peaceful morning. Believed to have origins in the 1920s, the tropical garden thrives because of its (very localised) micro-climate. Capture the very essence of the British beach break by renting a pleasingly pastel-hued beach hut situated along Bournemouth’s seven miles of award-winning beaches.

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Go South West England

22 Amazing Places to Visit in Dorset: beaches and villages!

With a staggeringly beautiful ancient coastline and some of England’s most charming countryside, there are many places to visit in Dorset. It’s quite a large country, so you could be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed when planning a trip here. 

What are the best places to go in Dorset? This blog post will answer this question, detailing some of my – and other travel blogger’s – favourite attractions. 

If you’re planning a trip to Dorset, read on for some major travel inspiration to one of England’s most beautiful counties! 

Table of Contents

Places to Visit in Dorset

Bournemouth .

Situated on the southern coast of England, Bournemouth is a popular holiday destination for those seeking a beach getaway. Bournemouth is excellent for a longer break or a  day trip from London  or any other nearby city. 

The city’s main drawcard is the white sand Bournemouth beach that stretches over seven miles. For active visitors, there is a 10-mile-long promenade that starts at Sandbanks and finishes in Hengistbury.

The promenade is not only great for a long stroll but also is excellent for cycling. Don’t forget to visit the Bournemouth Pier, home to the typical British seaside attractions, including the amusement arcade, fish and chips and souvenir shops. 

Other activities include zip-lining, mini-golfing in the City’s Lower Park and a balloon ride that operates in the summer. Plus, there are rainy day attractions like laser quest and an indoor climbing wall.

Bournemouth also has some great seafront restaurants along the beach where you can have some fresh seafood and a glass of wine while watching the sun going down. 

By Mal from Raw Mal Roams 

Lyme Regis is one of the best places to visit in Dorset to find fossils on the Jurassic Coast.

The Dorset town was the birthplace of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning, whose work finding and preserving fossils was ground-breaking. Now visitors come from all over the world to go  fossil hunting in Lyme Regis , and anyone can find fossils on the beach to take home.

Lyme Regis Museum explains more about Mary Anning and her work and has some excellent examples of fossils on display.

They also run Fossil Walks, where a guide will take you along the beach to go fossil hunting, explaining why and what you might find here.

Entry to the Museum is £5.95 per adult, and the fossil walks are £12.75 per adult, both with discounts available for children.

While fossils are the main draw for most visitors, Lyme Regis also has a pleasant sandy beach, an aquarium and various independent shops to explore. 

By Claire from Tales of a Backpacker 

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is without a doubt one of the most iconic sights on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.

The natural limestone arch juts out of the cliffs between Swanage and Weymouth, near the village of West Lulworth.

The geological changes that formed Durdle Door happened around 25 million years ago when layers of hard limestone were pushed vertically upwards; the sea then eroded the softer layers of rock, leaving Durdle Door’s distinctive arch shape.

Visiting Durdle Door is easy and free.

Access by car is through the Durdle Door holiday park, then a sloping, downhill walk to the top of the cliff and the viewpoint.

You can also get here by walking along the South West Coastal Path from Lulworth Cove, about a mile away.

There is a beach at the base of the cliff which is very popular on sunny days; to enjoy the views without the crowds visit in the evening. 

By Helen from  Helen on her Holidays

Swanage is a small town located on the coast, and is one of the best places to visit in Dorset – and one of the most popular day trips from Bournemouth !

Every year thousands of tourists come to visit this town and its remarkable historic scenery.

The town lies between lime rocks, mountain landscape, and an incredible white sand beach and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

In the town, you will find many old buildings – some of them date back as far as the 18th century. You can also choose between lots of hiking trails along the cliffs and plenty of other nearby attractions.

By Victoria from  Guide Your Travel

Isle of Portland

A trip to Dorset wouldn’t be complete without visiting the stunning Isle of Portland. Located to the south of Weymouth, Portland is only connected to the mainland by a barrier beach called Chesil Beach.

Although it is an island, the Isle of Portland is part of the Jurassic Coast and has many unique and beautiful features to see.

The best part is that you can see most of its sights in one day if you complete the  Isle of Portland Loop , which is 16km (10 miles) and is part of the South West Coast Path. 

On the route, you’ll be able to visit Portland Bill Lighthouse, climb Pulpit Rock, and discover unique sculptures at Tout Quarry Sculpture Park.

You can admire the view from the Olympic Rings Lookout Point and visit the ruins of a church and castle. 

The best bit? You’ll be treated to dramatic cliffs and stunning views of the sandy beaches all day long.

By Kitti from Kitti Around the World

Charmouth is a pretty village in West Dorset in an area of outstanding beauty. If you’re thinking of  visiting Charmouth , you won’t be short of things to see and do. 

Fossil hunting on Charmouth beach is a very popular activity with visitors to the area. With ample parking in the seaside town and plenty of facilities, a visit to the beach is a whole day out.

In addition, you can visit the Heritage Coast Centre with fossil displays, and even book a fossil walk. 

The beach is separated by the river Char, providing a stretch of calm river which is perfect for paddling, paddle boarding, or even floating about in a dinghy. 

There are plenty of rock pools to discover when the tide goes out, ideal for entertaining the children. 

At the end of a busy day in Charmouth, you could enjoy fish and chips on the beach from the beach cafe, or there are various cafes and pubs in the village. It’s definitely one of the best places to go to in Dorset!

By Angela from Exploring Dorset

Weymouth is a seaside resort in Dorset and is a popular holiday location for families and others seeking a  UK staycation .

Not only are there plenty of things to do in Weymouth but its location in the middle of the Jurassic Coast make it the perfect destination for fossil hunters!

Amongst Weymouth’s attractions are its beautiful sandy beach which is 3 miles long and perfect for swimming and making sandcastles.

In fact, it’s so good for building sandcastles that a visit to Sandworld to see exhibitions of sand sculptures is a must every year. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £5.50 for children.

Nothe Fort is another popular attraction in Weymouth.

This historic sea fort consists of three levels which include a museum, café and gift shop.

Throughout the year events and exhibitions are held at the fort which are fun for all the family. Views from the fort across the harbours are also particularly memorable.

Other things places to visit in Weymouth include the SEA LIFE centre, shingle covered Chesil Beach, Portland Bill Lighthouse and Weymouth Harbour with its pretty painted houses.

By Tracy from UK Travel Planning

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is a National Trust property that is well worth visiting while you’re exploring Dorset. With 1,000 years of history, Corfe Castle sits imposingly atop a hill and is a fascinating place to explore.

Corfe Castle was constructed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century – it was one of the initial castles in England to be constructed with stone. It was instrumental in the Civil War when Parliamentarian forces besieged it two times. 

Nowadays, Corfe Castle is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. It stands above Corfe village, not too far from Old Harry Rocks and the rest of the coastline.

Its unique structure makes it a fantastic place to visit in Dorset – and you can easily add a stop here to a trip to the coast! 

It costs £11 for an adult and £5.50 for a child – but if you are a National Trust member, you can enter for free. 

Despite not being a city, Poole claims to have the largest natural harbour in the world (which happened after Sydney in Australia built so much around its harbour!).

Poole Harbour is around 36 km 2  (14 square miles) – and although its claim to being the largest in the world is sometimes debated, there’s no denying that it’s enormous.

This means that it’s a definite must-visit place to go to in Dorset – there are so many opportunities for boating and watersports! 

Poole also has a lovely old town, with buildings from the 15th century, so there’s lots of history here. In addition, the town boasts some impressive museums, including the Poole Museum and the Old Lifeboat Museum. 

As it is one of the largest towns in Dorset, there’s a range of excellent dining opportunities available in Poole – and, of course, there’s no shortage of beaches here either! 

Blandford Forum

Blandford Forum is a charming place to visit in Dorset, sitting about 13 miles inland from Poole in the Blackmore Vale area. Situated on the banks of the River Stour, Blandford Forum is a historic place with plenty of charm. 

The historic town was destroyed by fire in the 18th century, so it was rebuilt in the classic Georgian style of the era. Modern Blandford Forum still looks like a step back three centuries.

It’s a wonderful place to walk around, and you can also visit the Fire Monument in the marketplace and go to the Blandford museum to learn a little more about its history.

There’s also the Blandford Fashion Museum which details historical fashion trends!

There are lots of independent shops around the main town and the Hall and Woodhouse brewery, which makes its own Badger Beer. 

If you want to enjoy some of Dorset’s beautiful nature, take a stroll from Blandford to either Stallbridge or Spetsbiry and the surrounding beautiful villages. 

Sturminster Newton

Sturminster Newton is one of the most beautiful towns in inland Dorset, sitting on the banks of the River Stour. This is Thomas Hardy’s country – if you’ve ever read his books and marvelled at the glorious descriptions of nature, make sure that you visit Sturminster Newton and the surrounding area! 

In particular, the 15th century bridge in Sturminster Newton has been featured in one of Hardy’s poems, “On Sturminster Bridge”. The author also lived in the town and took lots of inspiration from surrounding fields. 

It’s worth visiting the Sturminster Newton Water Mill, which dates back to the 17th century and is still a working mill.

Knowledgeable guides will show you around and detail the history and working of the building. The mill is open in the summer months (usually late March to late September) on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is £4 for adults and £1 for children. 

There’s also the ruins of a 14th century castle that you might be able to find while walking around the town. The architecture of Sturminster Newton makes it a wonderful place to stroll around and there are a variety of pubs and restaurants in the town, as well as nature walks along the River Stour. 

Studland Bay

Located on the Isle of Purbeck, Studland Bay is a Dorset destination at the end of the South West Coast Path – making it a site of pilgrimage for many keen hikers. However, it’s well worth visiting in its own right as well! 

Studland Bay is a glorious beach with lots of watersports activities available. Out of season, it can be wonderfully deserted, with fantastic views over to Poole. 

If you want to try something different, Foreadventure runs foraging tours around Studland, and I highly recommend them.

We did the three-hour forest walk and forage tour, which ended with us making a wood-fired pizza with our foraged goods! 

They also run canoeing and fishing trips. 

Old Harry Rocks

Old Harry Rocks is the official terminus of the Jurassic Coast, which starts in Exmouth in Devon. These chalk formations are popular with hikers and people exploring the entire coast, but they are incredible on their own as well. 

Old Harry Rocks are brilliant chalk-white arches, stacks, and stumps, jutting out into the sea and running along the ocean. Although the whole area is known as Old Harry Rocks, only one is called Old Harry (and there’s also an Old Harry’s Wife!). 

From the rocks, you can enjoy epic views across the water into Poole and Bournemouth. 

Dorchester is the historic county town of Dorset and one of the largest towns in the county. Sitting on the River Frome, Dorchester is a town that very much sits in the heart of the countryside – and you can enjoy some of its epic nature as well as its more urban attractions while exploring the town. 

It’s worth visiting The Keep, Dorset County Museum and The Dinosaur Museum, where you can learn a little more about the Jurassic Coast.

There’s also a lovely historic art deco cinema in town, as well as the ever-popular Dorchester Market, an indoor and outdoor market. 

On the outskirts of Dorchester, there’s the 19th century Max Gate, which is run by the National Trust and is the former home of Thomas Hardy. 

Sherborne is a beautiful town with charming stone cottages and stunning surrounding scenery. Although the town isn’t huge, it’s packed with attractions, including two castles and an abbey – there’s so much to explore here!

The Abbey has a long history spanning back over a millennium – it has been a Cathedral and church over the years. Some people consider it to be the most beautiful building in Dorset. 

Sherborne Castle is a 16th century Tudor castle. It started its life as a Tudor hunting lodge but was expanded by Sir Walter Raleigh and was the subject of a siege in the Civil War. You can learn all about this at the castle! 

Sherborne Old Castle has a history spanning back to the 12th century and is the ruins of an old majestic fortress. You can still explore these ruins today. 

Christchurch

Christchurch is a coastal town on the Dorset/ Hampshire border, not too far from Bournemouth. With six beaches, it’s a popular spot for families! Activities that you can enjoy in Christchurch include stand up paddleboarding, swimming and beach games. 

Friars Cliff and Avon beaches are perhaps the most family-friendly, with plenty of facilities for people of all ages. Mudeford Sandbank also has amenities to enjoy. 

More nature-focused beaches are Highcliffe Castle Beach, with beautiful cliffs, and Gundimore, which looks over the Isle of Wight. 

Christchurch town has plenty of amenities, including shops, restaurants and Christchurch Castle which dates back to the 11th century. 

Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle is located near Christchurch and is a Grade I listed mansion, dating back from the Victorian era. 

Highcliffe Castle was destroyed by a fire in the 1960s and was left to ruin for two decades – before it was acquired by the Council in 1977 and received funding from the English Heritage and National Lottery Grants. 

Nowadays, it’s a popular tourist attraction in Dorset and has been the filming location of various shows, including The Antiques Roadshow and Mr Selfridge. 

Highcliffe Castle is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. It costs £7 for adults and £3 for children.

Sitting between Lyme Regis and Weymouth, Abbotsbury is a small quintessentially English village with two stand out attractions: the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and the Abbotsbury Swannery. 

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are botanic gardens on the edge of Abbotsbury town.

Encompassing 30 acres, these gardens are famous for their range of flowers and exotic plants. The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, and tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. 

Abbotsbury Swannery is also worth visiting. This is the only managed colony of mute nesting swans in the world. Spanning 25 acres and home to some 600 swans, walking through the colony is an unforgettable experience.

It is a Harry Potter filming location and has lots of other attractions, including the giant swan maze, a cafe and gift shop. 

Like the subtropical gardens, the swannery is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, and tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children. 

You can save 25% on ticket prices if you book a visit to both the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and the Abbotsbury Swannery at the same time. 

Purbeck Hills

The Purbeck Hills is a ridgeway that runs from Durdle Door to Old Harry Rocks. A fantastic place for hiking, the Purbeck Hills encompass Corfe Castle and the inland area from the Jurassic Coast. 

Wimborne Minster

Wimborne Minster is an ancient market town on the Rivers of Allen and Stour.

There’s so much to see here, including a beautiful minster church (with the chained library which has a book dating back to the 14th century and a book that belonged to Catherine of Aragon!), a model town which resembles Wimborne Minster in the 1950s and Waterford Mill Crafts which has shops and exhibitions. 

There are also some beautiful walks and bike rides along the two rivers, so it’s a great place to enjoy nature as well! 

Burton Bradstock

Burton Bradstock is a popular holiday destination along the Jurassic Coast, with epic sandstone cliffs and charming villages. 

It’s a small village, but there’s plenty to enjoy here – including pubs, tearooms, a holiday park and there is a Spring Tide Food Festival every May. 

Also don’t miss Hive Beach, which is owned by the National Trust has some epic views over this stretch of coastline. 

Shaftesbury

Sitting near the Wiltshire border, Shaftesbury is one of the very best places to visit in Dorset. Shaftesbury is famous for Gold Hill, its postcard-perfect cobbled street which has been called “one of the most romantic sights in England” as well as “England’s most famous hill” (it has featured in numerous films and television programmes including the Hovis advert!).

With quaint cottages and rolling green hills in the background, Shaftesbury is a lovely place to stroll around – you can enjoy the many shops, restaurants, and cafes here and take in various viewpoints that look out over Blackmore Vale. 

Places to go to in Dorset!

With green valleys, beautiful villages and towns, popular sandy beaches on the world-famous Jurassic Coast and a hiking path with amazing views, there’s so much to love in Dorset!

Similar Posts

15 best things to do in Clovelly, Devon (2024 guide)

How to save money while exploring South West England

25 best things to do in Penzance, Cornwall (2023 guide)

20+ Fun Things to do in Truro: Cornwall’s Only City

Top places to add to your South West England bucket list in 2024

Things to do in Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor (hotel review!)

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Financial help

Cost of living help

We can offer free, confidential and impartial support on:

• money worries
• accessing affordable food
• housing and employment rights
• looking after your mental health

Money worries take up lots of headspace, leaving you with much less mental energy and time to make good decisions about your money. Remembering to look after yourself can also be hard. Talking to someone can help point you in the right direction and provide the strength to tackle problems. Reach out early for whatever help you need if you are struggling in any way. If small problems have already become bigger ones, get support now.

We're working with Dorset Citizen’s Advice to offer advice and support on: 

• money and benefits 
• access to food 
• housing 
• support for children 
• mental health and wellbeing 
• energy, water, phone and broadband costs 
• managing debt
• employment  
• general help 

Contact your local Citizens Advice office to find out more about their outreach services. 

You can read about the overall government support for the cost of living on  GOV.UK

Money and benefits

Benefits information.

Maximise your income and double check your right to benefits .

Help to Claim is a national helpline run by Citizens Advice. For Universal Credit claims telephone 0800 144 8444.

Extra money for living costs with Pension Credit

Pension credit is extra money for living costs and unlocks help with:

• heating costs
• NHS treatment
• housing benefit
• support for mortgage interest
• council tax discount
• free TV licence (over 75s)

This is for people over the state pension age and on a low income. Find out more about Pension Credit.

Problems paying your council tax  

If you're having problems paying your Council Tax,  contact us  and we'll do all we can to help. See our Council Tax pages for further advice about what to do if you have problems paying your Council Tax.

Money advice including debts and bills

Visit the Citizens Advice Dorset website for free, independent and confidential advice.

Charitable grants

Help may be available through a charitable grant and other support, depending on your circumstances and needs. Search for charitable grants.

Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save)

Help to Save is a savings account. It allows those who are entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get an additional 50p for every £1 they save.

Help to Save is backed by the government so all savings in the scheme are secure. Find out more about the Help to Save scheme .

Carer's Allowance

You could get Carer's Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to or live with the person you care for. Find out more about benefits and financial support you can get if you are caring for someone .

Carers Card providing discounts for unpaid carers

Sign up for a Carer's Card with Carer Support Dorset  to get discounts across Dorset including opticians, insurance, holistic treatments and eating out. 

Get help to quit smoking and save money 

Stopping smoking will save a lot of money and is beneficial to your health at any age. Visit Public Health Dorset for advice and information about stopping smoking.

Access to food

Find foodbanks, community fridges and affordable food

Don’t skip meals to pay bills. Visit the Help and Kindness website for information on local foodbanks, community fridges and affordable food.

Food banks are run by the community for the community. Donated food is distributed to those in need or in an emergency.

Each foodbank has its own system for supporting those in need. Many use a referral system, this is when an organisation helps you with other needs and also gives you a referral number for the foodbank. You will usually be issued a voucher for three days' worth of food. They may also provide other items such as toiletries.

Community shops (social supermarkets)

A community shop or pantry will provide cheaper, good quality and nutritious food to people who have limited disposable income. Food may include fresh fruit and veg, store cupboard favourites, bread, dairy products and frozen items.

You sign up to become a member and can then choose a set number of items for an agreed price each week. Community shops also work to reduce food waste by linking with supermarkets and making fresh food accessible for a low cost or free.

Community fridges

A community fridge can be accessed by anyone in the community, and anyone can give to or take food from the fridge. Community fridges:

• help share fresh food within a community
• reduce food waste
• give people facing hardship easy access to fresh, nutritious food

There are some rules on what you can and cannot put in the fridge for health and safety reasons. Check this when you visit. 

Warm spaces

Help and Kindness have been working to map warm spaces across Dorset where you can drop in and keep warm.

Help is available to support you and we would encourage you not to wait until it is too late as early intervention can make a lot of difference.  We have Tenancy Sustainment Officers whose role is to work with struggling households to support them. We can:

• help you talk to your landlord or lender about the issues and negotiate solutions
• signpost you for additional help with debts 
• help you make benefit claims to maximise your income
• help you prepare a household budget plan
• signpost you and help you get help from other places such as through grants, discretionary housing payments and the household support grant scheme
• help you get access to a foodbank or other emergency help

Get help with your mortgage

If you are struggling to meet your mortgage payments there is advice available to help.

Healthy Homes Dorset

Healthy Homes Dorset can offer all Dorset residents free, impartial energy advice over the phone, and eligible residents free loft and wall insulation. Free heating improvements may also be available.

If you are worried you may lose your home, or are struggling to pay your rent or mortgage please  contact us , we will do all we can to support and help you. 

You can also get cost of living advice and tips from Which?  and  StepChange on coping with the cost of living .

Dorset Home Upgrade Grant 

The scheme enables Dorset homeowners and private renters to access funded energy saving measures such as:

• loft and cavity wall insulation
• external wall insulation
• heating upgrades
• air source heat pumps
• solar panels

The scheme will help reduce energy use and fuel costs for those who live in lower energy rated homes (EPC D to G) and heat their homes with a fuel other than mains gas such as:

• electric heaters
• oil and LPG boilers
• solid fuel heating

HUG 2 is the second phase of the Home Upgrade Grant and is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. To find out more and apply visit the Home Upgrade Grant website. 

Need housing advice? Don’t leave it too late 

Renters, homeowners, landlords and letting agents are being urged to act now if they are struggling financially or know someone who needs support. 

We are working with Shelter and Citizens Advice to offer help with a range of issues including: 

• rent or mortgage arrears 
• debt advice 

We’re here to assist with anything housing-related that’s not going as planned. So, if this affects you or someone you know, please get in touch. 

Our service is free, confidential, and non-judgemental. 

Call 01305 221000 or email [email protected]  

Support for children

Reusable nappies.

Dorset Council offers parents a free reusable nappy starter pack or £30 off reusable nappies (minimum spend £45).

If you apply before 31 March 2024 you could also win one of two reusable nappy sets worth £80 each in our prize draw! So if you know anyone in the Dorset Council area who would be eligible to apply, please let them know. See further information about the reusable nappy scheme including how to apply.

Free school meals

Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals by completing our checker . If they are, they can also enjoy free holiday clubs and their school or childcare setting will receive extra funding (called the Pupil Premium).

Healthy Start vouchers

See how to access vouchers to buy basic food items. This is for pregnant women and families on a low income with a child under 4.

Childcare funding

See the options available to help childcare costs from age 0 to 15.

Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme (under Free school meals) 

HAF programme means we can offer fun activities and tasty meals free of charge to children who are eligible for benefit-related school meals. Find out more including how to apply .

Safe cycling 

Gaining cycling skills early on is important for a child’s safety and confidence and will enable them to cycle to school and enjoy trips with family and friends. Ask your child’s school about Bikeability training courses.

Support for older people

Pension credit is extra money for living costs and unlocks helps with:

• Council Tax discount

This is for people over the state pension age and on a low income. Find out more about  Pension Credit.

Information and support from Age UK

Age UK provides free and confidential support to older people, their families and carers. This includes information on:

• health and wellbeing
• relieving loneliness

For further information contact:

• North, South and West Dorset Age UK
• Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset Age UK

Winter Fuel Payment 

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone born on or before 25 September 1957 (for 2023-24). It's designed to help you cover your heating costs in winter. 

Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. 

If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get. 

If you do not get a letter but you think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.

Mental health and wellbeing

If your life or someone else's life is in danger call 999 immediately. If you are struggling now, or if you are worried about someone else, there are places you can go to get support. You can: • call Samaritans on 116 123 • call Connection, Dorset's mental health helpline, on 0800 652 0190 • text SHOUT to 85258

Mental health - Public Health Dorset

Visit the Public Health Dorset website for simple steps to taking care of our wellbeing and links to organisations that can help.

Help for people experiencing domestic abuse

Money worries can make life at home difficult, don’t suffer in silence. See details of the help available to those experiencing domestic abuse.

Reach Drug & Alcohol Services

Visit the Reach website If you’re worried about your use of drugs and alcohol.

Energy, water, phone and broadband

Energy advice from citizens advice.

Call the Citizens Advice Energy Unit on 01929 775500 or email  [email protected] for free and impartial advice on energy.

Getting help if you can't afford your energy bills

Visit the  Ofgem website  for advice and support with high energy bills.

Energy grants checker

Check your eligibility for energy company grants.

Energy saving advice

See our  quick fixes and longer term ideas  to save energy.

Difficulty paying your water bill

Your water provider can offer support if you are struggling to pay your water bills:

• visit the Wessex Water website
• visit the South West Water website

Cheaper broadband and phone packages

Visit the Ofcom website for Information on cheaper tariffs for eligible households. 

Healthy Homes Dorset can offer all Dorset residents free, impartial energy advice over the phone, and eligible residents free loft and wall insulation. Free heating improvements may also be available.

Rights at work from Citizens Advice

Visit Citizens Advice for free, independent and confidential advice if you are worried about your job.

Managing debt

Visit the  Citizens Advice Dorset website  for free, independent and confidential advice.

Help may be available through a charitable grant and other support, depending on your circumstances and needs.

Benefits checker

Check that you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to .

Share this page

Related articles.

• Apply for free school meals
• Are you struggling with housing costs or worried about losing your home?
• Pupil premium

Visiting Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion? You must join the virtual exhibition queue when you arrive. If capacity has been reached for the day, the queue will close early.

Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion

Visiting the exhibition.

You must join the virtual queue when you arrive. We may not admit visitors near the end of the day. Sleeping Beauties is an immersive exhibition with sensory experiences including video animations, soundscapes, and smells. Visitors travel in a single path in one direction.

Special Access for Members Priority access in the virtual queue and Weekend Member Mornings 9–10 am every Saturday and Sunday

The Costume Institute’s spring 2024 exhibition , Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion , reactivates the sensory capacities of masterworks in the Museum’s collection through first-hand research, conservation analysis, and diverse technologies—from cutting-edge tools of artificial intelligence and computer-generated imagery to traditional formats of x-rays, video animation, light projection, and soundscapes.

When an item of clothing enters the Costume Institute collection, its status is changed forever. What was once a vital part of a person’s life is now a motionless ‘artwork’ that can no longer be worn or heard, touched, or smelled. This exhibition reanimates these objects, helping us experience them as they were originally intended—with vibrancy, dynamism, and life.

The exhibition features approximately 220 garments and accessories spanning four centuries, all visually connected through themes of nature, which also serves as a metaphor for the transience of fashion. Visitors will be invited to smell the aromatic histories of hats bearing floral motifs; to touch the walls of galleries that will be embossed with the embroidery of select garments; and to experience—via the illusion technique known as Pepper’s ghost—how the “hobble skirt” restricted women’s stride in the early 20th century. Punctuating the galleries will be a series of “sleeping beauties”—garments that can no longer be dressed on mannequins due to their extreme fragility.

To access the booklet of all large-print exhibition text, click here

The exhibition is made possible by

Support is provided by

Additional support is provided by

Featured Content

A feast for the senses

To enter the exhibition is to cross a border into another realm

The show allows visitors to use all the senses — smell, hearing, even touch — with a little help from new technologies like AI and molecular recordings of smells on decades-old garments and accessories

Plan Your Visit

• Meet Windows 11

Meet Windows 11: The basics

• Meet Windows 11: A whole new look
• Meet Windows 11: Easily switch to Windows 11
• Meet Windows 11: Personalizing your experience
• Meet Windows 11: Apps and tools
• Meet Windows 11: Entertainment
• Meet Windows 11: Gaming
• Meet Windows 11: Gaming Hardware
• Meet Windows 11: Accessibility
• Meet Windows 11: Tools for creativity
• Meet Windows 11: Keys to easier
• Meet Windows 11: Easier to edit videos
• Meet Windows 11: Easier with iPhone

Get to know your way around Windows 11, from where to search to how to stay organized:

Universal search

Select Search on the taskbar or press Windows logo key + S , then type what you want to find. You'll get personalized search results for people, email, and files in local and shared sites, or from the web. 

Desktop groups

Use desktops to keep different tasks organized or for different parts of your life, like work and home. To create a new desktop, select Task view > New desktop . To switch between desktops, select Task view . 

To change a background on a desktop, in Task view, right-click (or press and hold) on the desktop and select Choose background .

Microsoft account

Your Microsoft account is your free all-access pass to Microsoft’s premier services. Sign in with your Microsoft account to access passwords, files, and more across your devices.  

Learn more about Microsoft accounts

Keyboard shortcuts

No mouse? No problem! Keyboard shortcuts provide alternate ways to do something you'd typically do with a mouse.

Learn more keyboard shortcuts

Save your photos and files in the cloud with OneDrive and access them from any device, anywhere. 5 GB of free OneDrive storage comes with your Microsoft account.

Learn more about OneDrive

Explore Tips

Open Tips to discover surprising and useful things you can do with Windows.

Get Started app

Get your PC set up just the way you want it with the Get Started app.

Open Get Started

Need more help?

Want more options.

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

Microsoft 365 training

Microsoft security

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Ask the Microsoft Community

Microsoft Tech Community

Windows Insiders

Microsoft 365 Insiders

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

Online support

Was this information helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.

EXCLUSIVE: Trump probation interview set for Monday after hush money conviction

Vermont police apologize for 'mock shooting' during high school visit

Rookie police officer killed in Arizona reservation shooting

1 person dies and 20 others are injured after a shooting at a Ohio birthday party

Ohio police seek public's help after fatal birthday party shooting

Ex-fiancee of actor Johnny Wactor appeals to police to find his killers

Second American avoids prison on Turks & Caicos ammunition charge

'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor dead at 37 after fatal shooting

Judge denies Alec Baldwin's motion to dismiss involuntary manslaughter charge

American avoids jail after being arrested on ammunition charges in Turks and Caicos

Families of Uvalde victims announce $500 million lawsuit against police

Uvalde families sue officers involved in deadly school shooting

Mass shooting in Pennsylvania leaves two people dead, three injured

At least 2 dead, more wounded, after Pennsylvania workplace shooting

'An honest mistake': Florida woman arrested in Turks and Caicos over ammunition

Texas governor pardons former U.S. Army sergeant convicted of murdering protester

Video shows a Texas boy taking cover as bullets hit his home during a drive-by shooting

Teen gunman tries to enter church during communion ceremony, police say

Illinois man charged with hate crime after shooting neighbor

Gunman subdued while trying to shoot pastor at Pittsburgh-area church

Threat 'neutralized' after attempted shooting at Wisconsin school

Nbc news channel, vermont police apologize for 'mock shooting' during high school visit.

Burlington School District officials say students were "scared and confused" by a "demonstration" featuring a simulated robbery and shooting. WPTZ's Tyler Boronski reports. June 7, 2024

Best of NBC News

Watch: Aerial video shows Wyoming road collapse

Hundreds of Palestinians killed and injured after attack on Gaza refugee camp

Nightly News Netcast

Nightly news full broadcast (june 8th).

Nightly News

Preschool teacher surprises former student with a life-saving gift.

Patients’ lives at risk after life-saving funds disappeared when nonprofit abruptly shut down

Back-to-back Florida shark attacks startle start to summer season

Jack Black responds to students' request to attend 'School of Rock' musical production

The students of an Australian high school will have to wait for their lesson with Jack Black .

Students of a Melbourne high school requested the actor's presence during a Ringwood Secondary College production of "School of Rock: The Musical," based on the 2003 film of the same name starring Black.

The students began a campaign after seeing Black, 54, would be in town with his band Tenacious D while the show was in production. The school posted the plea in a viral TikTok last week, asking viewers to get the message to Black.

Black responded in a video shared by the Australian Broadcast Corporation , politely declining due to touring commitments.

Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

"Ringwood Secondary College, are you kidding me? You're doing 'School of Rock'? I love it — so touched," Black said. "And I wish I could come see it, but unfortunately I'm going to be rocking!"

Black noted that it has been two decades since the film came out, and that it is his "favorite movie that I ever did."

He did, however, leave the Australian students with some wise words.

"There's no way you can stop the School of Rock!" he sang.

In the film Black played Dewey Finn, a guitarist who gets fired from his band and, risking getting kicked out of the apartment he shares with roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White), answers a phone call meant for Schneebly about a position as a substitute teacher. Black impersonates Schneebly and takes the job, later recognizing the students' musical talent and soon entering the students in a Battle of the Bands.

The film also starred Sarah Silverman , Joan Cusack and then-child stars Miranda Cosgrove , Brian Falduto and the late Kevin Clark .

The musical version follows the same plot by White, who wrote the original film, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes.

The musical made its Broadway debut in 2015 and its West End debut in 2016. A North American tour for the musical ran from 2017 to 2019, in addition to tours in Australia, China, the U.K., Japan and other countries.

Black's band Tenacious D is currently on the international Spicy Meatball Tour, playing music from their first three albums: "Tenacious D," "The Pick of Destiny" and "Rize of the Fenix." The comedy rock duo's latest album, "Post-Apocalypto," was released in 2018.