Dorset is in the South West of England on the English Channel coast and is famous for the amazing stretches of fine, sandy beaches and varied shorelines that yield up such treasures as the Jurassic Coast!
There are wide chalk downs here as well as low valleys and beautiful coves and islands. Ports at Portland, Poole and Weymouth as well as an international airport, make it easy to reach and there is a wide variety of accommodation to suit every budget.
There are many historic houses, theatres, art galleries, shopping towns, festivals and events and 185 million years of earth's history in the ninety five miles of coastline making up the Jurassic Coast - a great spot for fossil hunting and beach combing!
If you love walking, Dorset is for you. In fact, cyclists, hikers, climbers, holiday makers, travellers, students, kite flyers, peace seekers, windsurfers, anglers, golf enthusiasts and horse riders rate Dorset as one the United Kingdom's best holiday spots!
Why not check beaches nearby as we have 56 beaches in Dorset, or have a look at our list of Dorset dog friendly beaches, or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.
Dorset Coast Search Bar
Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:
Want some ideas on where to visit?
Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:
- 7th September 2019-8th September 2019The Food Rocks festival was started by top chef Mark Hix with the main aim of promoting the produce of the local area around Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast.The festival welcomes top chefs, exhibitors, locals and visitors to Lyme Regis, the main stage showcase offers a mix of interactive cookery demonstrations, talks and tastings across the 2 days.The money raised goes to good causes split between the RNLI and the Fishermen’s Mission.
- 29th August 2019-1st September 2019The Bournemouth Air Festival is 4 days of varied flying programme, entertainment, live music and evening fireworks.
- Shipstal Beach is set within the Arne Nature Reserve that lies to the East of Poole Harbour. The beach is a mix of sand and shingle and is located in a beautiful woodland setting within the harbour. Parking and cafe available in the Arne reserve car park with paths and wooden walkways taking you through the trees to the beach.
- Nothe Fort is at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour, constructed on three levels, with lift access, the Fort is filled with displays, guns and display areas that describe the history of this Victorian Fort. The Fort is a labyrinth of underground passageways and outdoor areas with stunning views of the coast.
- Poole lifeboat station was founded in the mid 1800s and currently operates inshore and all weather lifeboats. Station open by appointment only and shop at the The Old Lifeboat Museum Weekend 10-4 – Weekdays 11-4 based on volunteer availability.
- Kingston Lacy Country mansion with important collections, set in formal gardens and extensive parkland – children’s adventure playground and Iron Age hill fort, Badbury Rings. The land was gifted to Sir Ralph Bankes by Charles II in the 1660s in appreciation of his loyalty to the Royalist cause. The house you see today went under extensive change in the 1830s by the architect Sir Charles Barry, who architected the Houses of Parliament. The interiors include works by Rubens, Titian and Velazquez whilst the grounds have many marked trails.
- Shore Road beach is a large sandy beach that joins with the Sandbanks beach and is the part just before the beach hits the Peninsula. Facilities include cafe, toilets, lifeguards in the summer, parking and easy access to all the facilities at Sandbanks.
- Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens was established in 1765 as a kitchen garden for the nearby castle. Today the 20 acre garden is filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world. The garden has stunning views of the Dorset Jurassic coastline, a gift shop, the Old Colonial tea-house and a specialist plant nursery.
- The Blue Pool changes colour from shades of green to turquoise. The deep clay bowls is located within 25 acres of woodland, heath and gorse with marked walks throughout and children play areas and tea house and museum. The red route is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) the Blue Pool is a former clay pit dug in the 1840’s. The colour change is a mystery but the colour you see is related to the conditions. Dogs allowed on leads.
- Branksome Chine beach is a sandy beach very popular with watersports. Facilities include parking, food and toilets.
- Bournemouth Pier is at the heart of the Bournemouth sea front with various attractions, amusements, boat trips, restaurant, cafe, bar and fishing decks. Originally built in 1856 as wood, rebuilt with iron and then as concrete this has been around for generations. Small charge applies for access to help with the upkeep. Dogs are allowed on to the pier but not allowed in some of the attractions.
- Eype’s Mouth beach is a gravel and sand beach backed by cliffs, including Golden Cap at 191m above sea level the highest cliff on the south coast. Facilities include parking, toilets and cafe/shop.
- Dancing Ledge is not so much a beach but an old quarry floor. There are no beaches on this stretch of coastline but this is popular as you can get down to sea level. Some good swimming from the rocks but care needs to be taken. No facilities available.
- Portland Bill and Chesil Beach are the graveyards of many vessels that failed to reach Weymouth or Portland Roads. The Portland Race is caused by the meeting of the tides between the Bill and the Shambles sandbank about 3 miles SE. Strong currents break the sea so fiercely that from the shore a continuous disturbance can be seen. Portland Bill Lighthouse guides vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth through these hazardous waters as well as acting as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel. The Shambles sandbank is marked by a red sector light. Lighthouse has a visitor centre.
