English Tourism Week is nearly here (13 - 22 March) and this year, the theme focusses on  "Local Stories, National Growth". 

Here at Visit Dorset, we're lucky enough to live, breathe and explore Dorset as part of our jobs every single day. But while we spend most of our time helping visitors discover the wonders of our coast and countryside, we all have our personal favourite spots too!   

To celebrate these local stories, the Visit Dorset team are drawing back the curtain to share a few of the places where we go to relax & recharge when our laptops close. 

Ready to explore Dorset through our eyes? Let’s dive in.

Mandy

Having lived in Dorset all my life, picking just one favourite place feels almost impossible – it’s simply stunning, has so much variety and is just the best place to live! My favourite thing to do is getting out exploring with my gorgeous Labrador, Millie - braving wild winter beaches, chasing through woodlands or wandering across open countryside and enjoying the amazing views all around us.

For Millie, the beach and the promise of a dip in the sea is what gets her tail wagging the most. Ringstead, Lulworth Cove and Preston Beach are our top choices for ball chasing and paddling, especially out of season or on a warm summer’s evening. And if I’m honest the best part of any fun filled beach adventure is the promise of coffee and cake (and a doggy treat) at one of the vibrant beachside cafes. Sitting in the sunshine, looking out to sea, soaking up the atmosphere…just perfect.

Cheryl

I love a little cycling adventure with my family and Dorset has some amazing, family friendly, off-road routes. The Rodwell Trail in Weymouth is perfect on a sunny day as you capture glimpses of the sparkling blue sea as you pedal along. There’s fun way-markers to spot and beautiful places to stop for a rest, such as Sandsfoot Castle and Castle Cove and Smallmouth Beaches.

The North Dorset Trailway from Sturminster Newton to Spetisbury is another favourite with a stop off at the lovingly restored, Shillingstone Station for refreshments.   I love following a cycling route, as soon as you join it you have a lovely sense of peace as you cycle along through tunnels and over bridges with the sounds of the birds and views of the sea or meandering rivers and never-ending countryside. For me, it’s the perfect way to explore Dorset.

Rachael

My favourite place to visit at any time of year is Mudeford Sandbank. Imagine golden sand beneath your toes, cute and colourful beach huts, and best of all no cars!

There’s lots of different ways to reach the sandbank which means there’s always a new adventure to look forward to. If you like boats, you can catch a ferry from Mudeford Quay, Tuckton Tea Gardens, Wick or Christchurch Quay. You can also walk or cycle across Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve or catch the Land Train (available from April to October) which has a carriage for wheelchairs.

If you haven’t packed your own picnic for your day out, there are two cafés to choose from. And you can’t go to the beach without an ice-cream, so make sure you stop by the ice-cream kiosk hidden away in between the beach huts.

Jess 

I’ve called Dorset home since 2008, and even though I’ve explored every corner of this beautiful county, the Isle of Purbeck has to be my favourite. As a child, I grew up devouring Enid Blyton’s stories and when I step into the Purbeck landscape, it feels like walking straight into the pages of her books and fills me with a sense of pure magic and nostalgia.

Purbeck holds a piece of my heart for another special reason too as it’s where I got married, with the magnificent Lulworth Castle standing as the backdrop to one of the best days of my life.

As a keen hiker, I find the walking here absolutely stunning with rolling green hills, hidden valleys and everchanging landscapes. When I’m standing at St Aldhelm’s Head, looking out over the vast expanse of sea before me, I genuinely feel like I’m standing at the very edge of the world.

After a long walk, there is nothing quite like a picnic full of Dorset produce at Dancing Ledge, watching the waves fill the natural pool, followed by a trip to the iconic Lulworth Cove, where a relaxing sauna session and a sea swim in the sheltered, turquoise waters gives me the ultimate reset.

Rachel

Where do I even begin? Dorset is full of beautiful places, but Lyme Regis will always have my heart. It holds lots of special family memories - from the days when my two children were little and we spent endless hours digging holes, building sandcastles, and paddling in the sea before rounding off the day with a chippy tea on the beach.

They’re now 16 and 20, but we still love wandering along the promenade and the iconic Cobb and playing a bit of frisbee on the beach. And no trip is complete without a fiercely competitive round of crazy golf in Langmoor Gardens.

Another favourite of mine is Colmers Hill, I love heading up there with my cocker spaniel, Peg. The walk from Symondsbury Estate is signposted, and once you reach the top you’re rewarded with sweeping countryside views and glimpses of the sea that seem to go on forever. It’s simply breathtaking.

You can also take the route via Hell Lane - a sunken lane with sculpted sandstone walls that feels like stepping into another world. When you return to Symondsbury Estate, I'd recommend heading into Symondsbury Kitchen for something tasty - lunch, coffee, or cake always hits the spot.

There are so many more places I could share… but we might be here all day!

Sarah

Even after living in Dorset for more than 15 years, I’m still uncovering new hidden gems tucked away in this beautiful county. There’s always another woodland trail to wander, another coastal spot to fall in love with, or another peaceful corner that feels like a secret just waiting to be found.

Some of my favourite days start with a walk through Thorncombe Woods, followed by a well‑earned stop at the café. Puddletown Forest and Wareham Forest are also regular choices—perfect places for long dog walks and quiet moments among the trees.

When the sun’s out, you’ll often find me unwinding on the sand at Alum Chine in Bournemouth or over at Hengistbury Head near Christchurch. I love spending time on the water too, exploring hidden coves and taking in Dorset’s incredible coastline from a different perspective.

I’m equally drawn to the county’s parks and nature reserves. Moors Valley Country Park, Durlston Country Park in Swanage, and Kingcombe Nature Reserve near Dorchester all offer something unique—wildlife, scenery, peaceful trails, and that sense of escape we all need from time to time.

After all these years, Dorset still amazes me with its variety and beauty. I feel incredibly lucky to call this place home.

James

For me and my family, living by the coast is one of the greatest joys of calling Dorset home. On any bright, sunny day, if I ask my daughter what she’d like to do, the answer comes back instantly and enthusiastically: “Crabbing!!”

Our little ritual has become something of a family treasure. We set ourselves up by the harbourside in West Bay, unfold our well‑travelled chairs and tuck into the sandwiches we’ve packed for the day. It’s simple, but it’s our slice of heaven. There’s something wonderfully grounding about tossing out our net and waiting to see what surprises the harbour has for us. For my six‑year‑old, the thrill never fades, whether we catch something new, or one of the “regulars” we’re convinced we’ve met before.

And then there’s the people‑watching. She absolutely loves it, with a natural curiosity (or nosiness!) that she certainly gets from her mother. She sits there swinging her legs, quietly observing the world as it drifts by -  families juggling fishing nets and ice creams, couples strolling hand‑in‑hand, fishermen unloading their latest catch. It’s amazing watching her little mind try to piece together the lives of strangers, her big blue eyes following every dog, boat and passer‑by with a genuine fascination.

By the end of the day, after catching and carefully releasing what feels like an endless parade of lively little crabs, there’s only one fitting way to round things off: an ice cream in hand, walking back to the car with salty hair, tired legs and full hearts talking about the ‘one that got away!’.