Visit Bridport and West Bay vibrant market town and seaside resort

You’ll find the best of both worlds at Bridport and West Bay.

Bridport is a thriving, quirky and cultural market town with a fantastic antiques quarter. Only a mile away is the dramatic cliffs of the Jurassic Coast at the village of West Bay, which you may recognise from the award-winning TV drama Broadchurch.

Bridport and West Bay’s location lends itself as the perfect base to explore. It has fantastic links to the west towards Charmouth and Lyme Regis and to the east, Dorchester and Weymouth, all of which are only a short journey away by bus or car. And with West Bay being located on the South West Coast Path, you can walk for miles in either direction for amazing views of this world class coastline.

Bustling Bridport

Bridport is a lively and vibrant market town with a rich, rope-making heritage. It also has a tremendous reputation for arts, culture, events and food. They even have their own arts centre, independent cinema and live music venue.

The town is a hive of activity with an eclectic mix of interesting shops, cafes and restaurants that give the town a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.

Bucky Doo Square is home to the fabulous team at Bridport Tourist Information Centre. With local experts available to provide the best insights into making the most of your time in Bridport you should certainly pop in and speak to the team.

The town is a much loved location for visitors, who choose to return again and again with generations of their family.

Wonderful West Bay

Just a mile to the south of Bridport is West Bay - a charming fishing village located on one of the most dramatic stretches of the Jurassic Coast.

West Bay has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years thanks to ITV’s smash hit Drama Broadchurch starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman being filmed here. It’s not hard to see why the location was chosen. West Bay offers some stunning landscapes to explore with breath-taking views from the cliff tops surrounding the village.

With delightful beaches and a wonderful selection of places to eat that surround the harbour, West Bay is a favourite destination for holidaymakers and day trippers a like.

Fantastic days out

The Bridport area has a wealth of fascinating attractions, many of which celebrate the heritage and art influences in the town.

Beer lovers will enjoy taking a tour of Palmer’s, England’s only thatched brewery, with all the ales made to a centuries old process. You’ll experience a special tasting and leave with a commemorative tankard; you can even purchase drop of your favourite ale to take home!           

The area offers so much to get you out and about, from fun on the water with Lyme Bay RIB Charters and river paddles with West Bay Canoes to getting active at Bridport Leisure Centre. Not forgetting the miles upon miles of wonderful walking routes and cycling trails that allow you to take in the beautiful scenery. You’ll just need to decide what you want to do first!

Bridport and West Bay also provide a jam-packed events calendar, with the much loved Hat Festival, Melplash Show and Food Festival being particular highlights each year.

We hope you’re hungry

Bridport and West Bay have developed a real following among foodies and are well known for providing some of the best eating out and takeaway opportunities in the area.

From award-winning restaurants to warm and welcoming pubs using the very best in local produce to be found anywhere, not forgetting some exceptional seafood.

A lovely place to head to for a casual meal is the Watch House Café at West Bay. Situated on the beach, you can kick back in the outdoor seating area and watch the waves roll in whilst enjoying delicious pizza or seafood with a glass of vino.  

Enjoy award-winning food in unique surroundings at The Station Kitchen. Situated in the old West Bay station house you can enjoy the most delightful dishes while sat in a rustic railway carriage on the old decommissioned tracks.                       

Who could want for anything more?

Shopping and markets

Bridport is well known for it's huge variety of small and independent shops, where you'll find unique fashion, fantastic food and drink and individual gifts you won't find anywhere else.

Bucky Doo Square is the town's heartbeat with regular music and performances being enjoyed during the acclaimed Saturday market. With stalls and producers visiting from around the local area to sell unique gifts and delicious food and drink.

Saturday is most certainly market day, with not just one but three markets in town.

Down at West Bay, there are a number of shops scattered in between the seaside cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Why not stay a while

Start planning your holiday or short break now to explore this beautiful vibrant part of Dorset.

Bridport and West Bay offer a fantastic selection of accommodation choices. Whether you’re ready to bust the budget on something special or just want somewhere comfy and friendly, we’re confident that you'll enjoy a break that will make lifelong memories. From hotels and B&Bs to self catering and campsites, there is something for all budgets and requirements.

Symondsbury Estate Holidays are based just outside the town and offer luxury self-catering breaks surrounded by beautiful countryside. Many of the cottages boast their own hot tubs and large private gardens, perfect if you’re after a plush group stay with friends or family.

Just a short drive away you’ll find the renowned Seaside Boarding House, a distinct hotel perched right on the clifftop at Burton Bradstock; it’s an elegant yet informal place to enjoy a relaxing break beside the sea.

If you’ve a family in tow, then you can enjoy an action packed time at West Bay Holiday Park. Kids clubs, live cabaret, activities and much more all on your doorstep, you won’t want to return home!

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This is a small, quiet holiday cottage complex, on the outskirts of the village of Chideock, set in a hollow by Winniford Stream and surrounded by rolling farmland. A mile inland off the main road, it...

Classic Cottages

Classic Cottages have the perfect holiday home waiting for you in Dorset. From family-sized homes with sea views in Lyme Regis to chic couple’s boltholes in the heart of Bridport, there's...

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Boat trips running daily along the Jurassic Coast departing from West Bay Harbour. Daily excursions including Coastal Cruises, RIB Blasts & Evening Tours.  Also available to charter...

DiscoverBridport & West Bay

Self-Catering

Choose from coastal escapes, cosy cottages and character farmhouses!

Hotels and B&Bs

Boutique hotels, cosy B&Bs, contemporary guest houses.....you'll find them all!

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Things to Do

There is lots of things to do in Bridport & West Bay. From RIB rides to wine tours, there's something for everyone!

Shopping and Markets

Bridport is well known for it's eclectic mix if independent shops and vibrant market.

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