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Itinerary Planner

Plan your visit to Dorset using the '+ Itinerary Planner' button. Add to Excursion

Select items throughout the site to build an itinerary of your choice.

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Wareham Quay

Wareham Quay

Dorset Towns

The towns in Dorset are brimming with history and charm, set in beautiful countryside and fringed by glorious coastline.

Visit the coastal towns on the Jurassic Coast and beyond, with their mix of colourful harbours, sandy beaches and seaside fun, or head inland and discover our fascinating market towns. Enjoy unique shopping and farmers' markets, amazing architecture and plenty of places to eat out and sample the local produce.

Make the most of your visit and pop in to one of Dorset's Tourist Information Centres for inspirational ideas on what to see and do while you are here.  

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Number of items: 19

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  1. Swanage beach and bay

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    Swanage

    Swanage

    This small town surrounds a beautiful curved bay and offers a seaside experience with a difference. Enjoy the soft sand and the award winning beach front whilst being surrounded by Purbeck’s natural beauty and wildlife. Make your first port of call the Tourist Information Centre on Shore Road...

  2. East Street, Wimborne Minster

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    Wimborne Minster

    Wimborne Minster

    The historic market town of Wimborne Minster is an enticing blend of old and new; a ‘Fairtrade’ town where high quality modern stores and charming independent boutiques sit side by side in hidden courtyards and pedestrianised squares. The colourful Town Square and attractive High Street offer a...

  3. The new Forest Distrct Council

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    The New Forest

    Lymington

    The ancient New Forest is England’s newest National Park and is around 30 minutes’ drive from Bournemouth. There are plenty of pretty towns and villages to discover and the beautiful open spaces, forest glades and tranquil walks remain largely unchanged from the days when William the Conqueror used...

  4. None

    Add Chickerell to your Itinerary

    Chickerell

    Dorchester

    Chickerell is a large parish which despite having grown rapidly in size in the past two decades and achieving town status, the heart of the community still remains very much that of a village. The town is mostly modern build but some earlier constructions exist towards the centre, adding to the...

  5. Ferndown Clock Tower

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    Ferndown

    Wimborne

    Today a modern town with a good shopping centre and excellent community and leisure facilities. Much of the town's development was due to the arrival of the Stewart family from Scotland who set up a nursery in the town in 1864, to grow plants in warmer conditions than could be achieved at their...

  6. credit Mark Simons

    Add Dorchester to your Itinerary

    Dorchester

    Dorchester

    Historic Dorchester is the county town of Dorset. Originally sited on the spectacular hill fort of Maiden Castle, , the largest and most complex Iron Age hill fort to be visited in Britain, the town was developed in its current location by the Romans in AD43. The town rapidly grew to be Durnovaria,...

  7. Shaftesbury, Gold Hill

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    Shaftesbury

    Shaftesbury

    The picturesque hilltop town of Shaftesbury lies nestled around its Saxon Benedictine Abbey, at its peak the largest women's religious community in England.

    An indespensible Medieval trading post for the farmers of the arable Cranborne Chase and dairying Blackmore Vale, today Shaftesbury offers...

  8. Wareham Quay on River Frome

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    Wareham

    Wareham

    Wareham is a curious and fascinating town. It has a history that goes back nearly 2000 years; flourishing in Saxon times and was a strategic stronghold for King Alfred the Great. After seeing action in both Civil Wars, Wareham’s importance slowly diminished as the nearby town of Poole grew in...

  9. Upton House and Country Park

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    Upton

    Wareham

    Upton is the second largest town in Purbeck, after Swanage.

    Upton Country Park offers good walking and cycling around Poole Harbour includes an education centre, the Peacock Art Gallery, a walled garden, plant centre and tea rooms.

  10. None

    Add Poole to your Itinerary

    Poole

    Poole Quay, Poole

    Poole is home to the second largest natural harbour in the world and is renowned for its watersports. Poole Quay is lined with beautiful merchant houses alongside modern architecture. Enjoy the cobbled streets and take the Cockle Trail Walk or enjoy a boat ride to the National Trust Brownsea Island...