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things to do in dorset

When it comes to holidaying in the UK, you’re not short of options. From the rugged charm of Scotland’s highlands to the countless cities that dot our beautiful country, there’s almost too much to explore within our great country.

However, to our mind, there are fewer more beautiful, more exciting and more valuable holidays out there than a visit to spectacular, historic Dorset.

Dorset’s blessed with an endless number of things to see and do, so knowing exactly what things to do in Dorset can be something of a challenge. Luckily, we’ve pulled together five unmissable things to do whilst you’re staying in one of our Dorset holiday cottages. Let’s get started with…

Explore the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast is a stretch of land which begins in Exmouth in Devon and ends in Studland Bay in Dorset, but it’s most valuable stretches around Lyme Regis.

So-called because of its history as a hotbed for life during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (often called the Mesozoic Era)– the area was vital to life roughly 66 million years ago.

Today, you can see that history in the countless fossils which line the cliff walls and dot the beach, alongside the industries which have spun up around that remarkable history. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Jurassic Coast is a wonderful place to explore on foot, on a bike or via car.

Visit Dorset’s Incredible Beaches

The UK might not be the first place which springs to mind when you think of world-class beaches, but that’s exactly what Dorset offers.

We’ve spilt plenty of digital ink on the subject in the past, but with Lulworth Cove’s white pebbles and crystal-clear waters, Weymouth Beaches endless golden sands, Durdle Door’s iconic rock formations and more at your doorstep, there’s no chance of beach envy any time soon.

Dine at Dorset’s Michelin Starred Restaurants

Dorset is blessed with some of the finest small restaurants in the country, with just about every taste and budget accommodated for. However, we can’t recommend you leave our beautiful county without trying the best of what our chefs have to offer.

With no fewer than four Michelin-starred restaurants within driving distance of our holiday cottages, you’re spoilt for choice. Whether that’s the modern British stylings of Sienna and The New Inn or the classic French dining of Yalbury Cottage and Le Petit Canard, you’re certain to find something to appeal to your taste.

Get Active

With so much coastline to explore and countless acres of land to explore, Dorset makes for the perfect location for an active holiday.

Hit the waves for world-class surfing opportunities, head to a river for some wild swimming, hop on a bike and feel the wind in your hair or simply pick up a ball and head down to a park – the choice is yours!

Get a Glimpse of Dorset’s History

Dorset has played host to some of the biggest events in British history, and whilst much of that has faded from view, not all has been erased by time.

Indeed, you can still visit some of those sits, like Corfe Castle in Wareham, which sits high above Corfe village. It’s believed that a fort was there as early as the Roman era, however, the earliest proven date for a fort on the site was the 9th century. Built during the reign of William the Conqueror, it controlled the strategic passage through the Purbeck Hills, the castle eventually fell at the second besiegement from parliamentary forces during the English Civil War, in 1645.

Today, it’s an incredible place to discover and a real, tangible link to Britain’s remarkable past.