Whether you come for 95 miles of jaw-dropping coastline filled with fossils, incredible geological formations and sandy beaches, or simply to take in the coastal towns and cities including Bournemouth, Weymouth, Lyme Regis and Poole, Dorset has something for everyone.
The southwest county is home to the Jurassic Coast, a UK-wide highlight. The fossil-laden stretch of cliffs and coastline is home to two of the UK’s most famous landmarks, Durdle door, a giant limestone arch, and the majestic Lulworth Cove. With miles of hiking paths and cycling trails, it’s a wonderful area to explore, with our hotels in Dorset on hand to make sure you get a good night’s rest.
The county is also alive with activities and entertainment including music festivals, fairytale castles, theme parks, animal sanctuaries, world-class theatre and drama venues and some of the finest seafood restaurants in the country
Things to do in Dorset
Shopping
The Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole is home to over 100 stores, cafes and restaurants. The large, recently refurbished mall covers a broad spectrum of stores including fashion, health and beauty, technology and food and drink.
If you’re staying in or near Bournemouth, there are two main shopping options. Castlepoint is the UK’s largest shopping park with over 30 big-name stores and brands including Gap, Footlocker, Boots, Topshop, TK Maxx and more. The out-of-town retail park has 2,500 parking spaces and is open late until 8 pm Monday to Friday.
The other option for retail therapy in Bournemouth is The Sovereign Shopping Centre. The large, town-centre mall houses nearly 50 stores and outlets as well as several cafes and coffee shops.
Getting Around
Dorset runs along the south coast from Bournemouth to Lyme Regis and includes big towns like Weymouth and Dorchester. If you’re coming by car, the major roads include the A31, A35 and A37 with the nearest motorways the M5 and the M27.
If you’re flying into the region, the closest runways are at Bournemouth Airport and Bristol Airport. Bournemouth Airport is relatively small, with less than a million passengers each year, with Ryanair and TUI Airways the leading airlines. Bristol Airport in nearby North Somerset is a busier terminal, with nearly ten million passengers each year flying across the UK and Europe.
There are several international ferry ports in Dorset. Poole Ferry Terminal offers regular departures to Cherbourg in France, while the nearby Sandbanks Ferry bridges the gap between Bournemouth and Studland and is a popular tourist spot. Head to Weymouth Ferry for crossings to the channel islands and Saint-Malo in France.
If you really want to see the Dorset coastline in style, jump aboard the Swanage Railway, a heritage and diesel train service that covers six miles of the Swanage Coastal park past Corfe Castle and some gorgeous scenery.
Shopping in Dorset
