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.
- Harbour Sandbanks beach is a prime location for launching watersports into the harbour. You can see many windsurfers and kite surfers blasting in sometimes very shallow water. Facilities include parking on the road (need to be early), shops, food and toilets a short walk.
- Kimmeridge Bay is part of the Jurassic Coast. This is not a sandy beach but a mixture of sand, pebbles, boulders and shale. Although not sandy it does offer swimming and excellent rock pools. Rocky limestone reefs make the area a key habitat and the bay is a designated Marine Nature Reserve and exhibitions of local marine wildlife at the Marine Centre. The sheltered bay gives a good watersports location such as scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and surfing. Access is via a private toll road. Facilities include parking, toilets, ice-cream van on hot days and Village facilities approx. 20 minute walk.
- 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.
- Highcliffe Castle beach is a sand and shingle beach backed by woods and Highcliffe Castle. Limited facilities: parking, toilets and cafe in the grounds of Highcliffe Castle. Note that the parking in the woods at Highcliffe Castle can fill up early in good weather. You can park on Highcliffe cliff-top and follow the Coastal Path to the Castle and then onto the beach.
- Durley Chine beach (west cliff) is a good family sandy beach. Water activities include sailing, windsurfing and canoeing and are zoned to allow for safe bathing. Facilities include parking, pub, beach hut and deck chair hire, lifeguards in the summer months, kids zones, toilets, pedalos for hire.
- 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.
- Shaftesbury is a charming market town and Dorset’s only hilltop town founded over 1,000 years ago as the home of King Alfred’s citadel Benedictine Abbey. The Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and garden brings to life the story of the Abbey and its inhabitants. The walled garden includes excavations of the Abbey Church. The Gold Hill is a charming collection of traditional sandstone cottages on a steep cobbled stone hill. This is one of the most photographed roads in England and has featured in TV commercials.
- Sherborne actually has two castles. The now ruins of Sherborne Old castle which was built in the 12th century as a strongly defended palace, Sherborne Old Castle became a powerful Royalist base during the Civil War. Sherborne Castle ‘new castle’ was built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh as a stately home and now reflects over 400 years of English history. The 42 acres of grounds includes the 50-acre lake created by Capability Brown in 1753 and magnificent landscaped gardens of specimen trees, borders and sweeping lawns. The Castle’s interiors include collections of art, furniture and porcelain, together with Raleigh’s original kitchen, family artefacts and archaeological ‘finds’ from the old medieval castle on view in the castle cellars. The Castle Tea Room serves morning coffees, light lunches and afternoon teas, whilst the Gift Shop has a selection of gifts, souvenirs and our very own Sherborne Castle wines.
- Weymouth Pier is approached by a rather long pathway that runs around the edge of the ferry terminal. The pier itself is split into two, a commercial ferry terminal and public areas. Entertainment includes an amusement arcade situated in the rebuilt theatre. The pier is a popular location for sea fishing.
- Wimborne Minster has changed over the centuries. The first church on this site was founded in 705 but the earlest part of today’s church id the eastern 12th century tower. The building makes use of local Purbeck stone and marble with elaborate carving on the interior arches.
- Sandbanks beach on the Sandbanks Peninsular is a large sandy beach ideal for those looking to relax and those that want a more active beach. This is a very active beach with a wide (seasonal) selection of watersports available including parascending, inflatables, kayaks, jet-ski hire to name just a few. Sandbanks Peninsular is probably becoming more known for the large expensive beachfront houses than it’s beach but the beach is good. The Poole harbour side of Sandbanks Peninsular is very popular with sailing and windsurfing where the large expansive of shallow flat water provides excellent conditions for beginners or the more experienced. If this is a little too busy, you could always take the chain ferry over the Poole harbour entrance to Studland for less built up beaches. Facilities include large car parks and on-road parking, toilets (disabled facilities), showers, food kiosk, cafe, and lifeguards in the summer.
- Bournemouth beach is by the name located by the pier, an all round good family sandy beach with all levels of entertainment and facilities. Some good surfing by the pier but often very crowded. Facilities include car parks, toilets, disabled access, lifeguards between May and September, cafe and restaurants, amusements, piers (Bournemouth and Boscombe), cliff lifts, kid zones, and equipment hire (deck chairs, sun-beds, windbreaks and parasols). Beach huts, day and week hire available, all fitted with chairs and gas stove.
