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The Esplanade

The Esplanade

Weymouth

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: 18

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  1. Ferndown Clock Tower

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    Ferndown

    Ferndown

    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...

  2. Sherborne Abbey

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    Sherborne

    Sherborne

    Located to the north of West Dorset, this historic Ham Stone town nestles in green valleys and wooded hills and is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful towns in England. With its abundance of ancient and beautiful buildings, superb Abbey, world famous Schools, picturesque Almshouse and two...

  3. 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...

  4. 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...

  5. 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...

  6. None

    Add Christchurch to your Itinerary

    Christchurch

    Christchurch

    Christchurch, rich in heritage and culture, boasts two rivers, a castle, a beautiful 11th Century Priory and a mill of Saxon origin. Christchurch Quay overlooks the pretty Harbour, great for riverside walks. Christchurch is uniquely situated on the shores of its own harbour, close to the...

  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. 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...

  9. 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...

  10. Market Place, Rachael Piper Harding©

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    Blandford Forum

    West Street, Blandford Forum

    Located on the banks of the River Stour, Blandford Forum is the most complete, small Georgian town in England. Following an extensive fire in 1731 Blandford Forum "rose like the phoenix from its ashes, to its present beautiful and flourishing state" as the Fire Monument in the Market place states...