Top Places to Visit in Dorset

Dorset offers a mix of stunning coastlines, charming villages, and historic sites. Here are some of the best places to visit:

1. Jurassic Coast - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its dramatic cliffs, fossil-rich beaches, and landmarks like Durdle Door (a natural limestone arch) and Lulworth Cove.

2. Dorset AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) - Explore rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and picturesque valleys, perfect for hiking or a scenic drive.

Covering approximately 44% of Dorset, it stretches from Lyme Regis in the west to Poole Harbour in the east, encompassing much of the Jurassic Coast—a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its geological significance and dramatic cliffs. Inland, it includes the rolling chalk hills of the Dorset Downs, the Isle of Purbeck, and a variety of landscapes like heathlands, woodlands, and valleys.

3. Weymouth - A classic seaside town with a sandy beach, colorful harbor, and attractions like the Nothe Fort and SEA LIFE Centre.

4. Lyme Regis - A historic coastal town known for fossil hunting, the Cobb (a stone pier), and its quaint streets featured in films like "The French Lieutenant’s Woman".

5. Corfe Castle - The ruins of a medieval castle in the Purbeck Hills, offering history and stunning views, with the nearby village adding charm.

6. Poole - Home to one of the world’s largest natural harbors, Brownsea Island (great for wildlife), and the vibrant Quay area.

7. Chesil Beach - An 18-mile-long shingle beach, unique for its size and shape, connecting to the Isle of Portland with its lighthouse and rugged scenery.

8. Shaftesbury - A historic hilltop town famous for Gold Hill, a steep cobbled street seen in countless photos and the Hovis bread advert.

9. Bournemouth - A lively coastal town with seven miles of sandy beaches, Victorian architecture, and gardens, just on the edge of Dorset.

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10. Abbotsbury - A peaceful village with the Swannery (a colony of mute swans), Subtropical Gardens, and the striking St. Catherine’s Chapel.