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.
- Built from local stone, Anvil Point Lighthouse was completed in 1881 and opened by Neville Chamberlain’s father, then Minister of Transport. The light is positioned to give a waypoint for vessels on passage along the English Channel coast. To the west it gives a clear line from Portland Bill and to the east guides vessels away from the Christchurch Ledge and leads them into the Solent. Lighthouse has a visitor centre.
- Charmouth beach is a sand, at low tide, and shingle beach that stretches for two miles with many rock pools. The beach is split into two either side of the River Char, with the East beach being the main family beach and the West beach is an excellent place for fossil hunting. To the west of Charmouth is the site of the largest coastal mudslide in Europe, called Black Ven, it was created in the winter of 1958/59. If you are interested in fossil hunting then the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is worth a visit as it has fossil displays, local information and organizes fossil finding walks on Charmouth Beach. Facilities the beach include parking, toilets, cafe/shop, beach hut hire.
- 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.
- Overcome beach lies to the north eastern end of Weymouth Bay under Furzy Cliff, and is also known as Furzy Cliff beach. Popular beach for watersports, kayaking, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Car parking available.
- The White Mill is a corn mill with original 18th-century wooden machinery located in a peaceful riverside setting, nice walks and picnics on the banks of the River Stour.
- The original Swanage Pier was built between 1859 and 1860 for use primarily by the local stone quarrying industry, and included a tramway which ran the length of the pier and some way along the seafront. The old tracks can be seen to this day, inset into the seafront walkways.
- Jordan Hill Roman Temple is a Roman ruin situated on Jordan Hill above Bowleaze Cove in the eastern suburbs of Weymouth. The Roman temple is thought to have been pagan.
- 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.
- Ringstead Bay Beach is a shingle beach in a quiet rural location and is ideal for those who are looking for a peaceful day out. As the tide goes out you will get some sand and the beach is overlooked by unspoilt farmland and cliffs. The bay was once used by smugglers and is now a popular location for fossil hunters – this is the Jurassic coast. There is a pay car park just up from the beach (plus shop and cafe) OR free parking at Southdown, the National Trust land at the top of the cliff, but with a long steep walk from the beach.
- Greenhill beach is a mixture mainly pebble with some sand and the beach sits in the middle of Weymouth Bay. Much quieter than the stretches near Weymouth town centre but you still have the Esplanade along the back of the beach. Seasonal lifeguards.
- The Russel Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is located next to the Royal Bath Hotel on East Cliff. The building itself is a Grade II listed building originally known as East Cliff Hall. East Cliff Hall was the home of Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes, designed by the architect, John Frederick Fogerty but with significant input from Merton and Annie. Buyilding started in 1897 and was completed in 1901. The house was to be a showcase, not simply for their own enjoyment, but also for the people of Bournemouth to whom it was given. As well as the resident exhibits the museum and gallery hosts ever changing exhibitions, please check the website for opening times and what is currently showing.
- The Central beach at Swanage is a great family beach set within a Victorian town with a pier. Swanage is a nice traditional family seaside resort whilst the beach is a sandy beach and is part of a larger stretch of sand that lasts for approximately 2km. Facilities include pier, promenade, cafes/restaurants, shops, children’s play area, beach huts, seasonal lifeguards, toilets with disabled facilities, showers and car parking.
