Dorset

It’s no surprise that Dorset has taken the starring role in many famous film and TV productions, from the French Lieutenant’s Woman to Broadchurch.  Famous for the Jurassic Coast, classic Dorset seascapes include the ancient arch of Durdle Door, and the breathtaking layered cliffs at Lulworth Cove.

In fact, the county’s entire western shoreline is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, infused with around 185 million years of natural history…and plenty of fascinating fossils.

You’ll find a wide selection of unusual places to stay in Dorset, as you explore its endless natural delights.  Beach lovers and water babies will revel in a visit to Weymouth, Poole or Swanage, while Bournemouth boasts the Blue Flag Alum Chine, with soft golden sands.

Dorchester, once home to the Victorian writer Thomas Hardy, is a must-visit for literary fiends, as is Lyme Regis, the former home of Jane Austen.  Meanwhile, Sherborne, built in ochre ‘ham stone’, is often included in lists of the UK’s most beautiful towns.

Countryside-wise, Christchurch boasts flawless rural scenery, and Shaftesbury, set over 200 metres above sea level, is a charming town that will make you feel immediately at home.

Thirsty for more heritage?  Then Georgian Blandford, with its Grade I-listed town hall, and Wareham, with its Anglo-Saxon walls that once kept out the invading Danes, should keep you happy.  Oh – and the beautiful ruins of Corfe Castle are just a short distance away, too.

Finish your Dorset discoveries with a trip to Portland Island.  Famous landmarks have been made from stone quarried here, including Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the United Nations headquarters in New York – so you’re sure to conclude that you’re in good company!