Know Before You Go - Covid-19 information

As lockdown restrictions have been eased many of our hospitality businesses have now re-opened.

Our priority is to ensure that people are able to enjoy our glorious county in a safe and responsible way; looking after our local community, our visitors and the landscape around us. Please follow our guidelines to respect, protect and enjoy Dorset.

Plan ahead and visit Dorset with confidence

Behind the scenes, our tourism and hospitality businesses are busy carrying out risk assessments, preparing their premises and putting measures in place to ensure that everything is ready to welcome you back for an enjoyable and safe visit. 

Whilst restrictions have been eased, things may still be a little different to normal and it’s therefore important that you are aware of these and that you plan ahead so you’re in the know before you go.

Not everything will be open and some businesses may have altered their opening times. We recommend that you check opening times and COVID Secure visiting arrangements in advance of your visit.

Our accommodation providers are looking forward to offering you a welcoming and safe stay but you’ll need to book before you travel.

Plenty of our attractions and activities are beginning to welcome you back and many have now introduced one-way systems and pre-bookable tickets and timed visits to manage numbers. Make sure you do your research and pre-book before you visit.

Many of our wonderful restaurants, pubs and cafes are preparing to serve you some delicious local food and drink but will require you to make an advance reservation.  Many establishments are also offering fantastic takeaway or delivery options.

We're Good to Go

VisitEngland have launched a UK-wide 'Good to Go' industry standard and supporting mark to provide a ring of confidence for visitors.

Many businesses across Dorset have signed up to the scheme demonstrating that they are adhering to the respective Government and Public Health guidance and have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment ensuring that they have the required processes in place.

Check out our Good to Go Dorset page providing more information about the scheme and detailing all of the Dorset businesses that have signed up to it. Keep a look out for business displaying the 'We're Good to Go' logo throughout our website helping you to visit Dorset with the confidence that our tourism businesses have the correct procedures in place.

The AA have also launched a Covid Confident accreditation scheme indicating to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessment and measures to re-open safely in line with the respective government guidelines.  Please look out for businesses displaying this logo.

Our great outdoors – Respect, Protect and Enjoy

Heading outdoors seems more appealing than ever at the moment and Dorset is blessed with beautiful beaches, mile upon mile of open countryside, walks and cycle paths for you to enjoy.

When out and about, we are asking all our visitors to please respect, protect and enjoy our beautiful landscape.  Please take all litter home or use bins provided and do not use BBQs in our woodlands or forests.

If you plan to visit and enjoy our great outdoors please plan ahead and check car parking as some may not be open or are operating a pre-booking system.  Please also check what facilities are available.  

If when you arrive it’s very busy, please consider discovering another nearby part of Dorset….we’ve got plenty of places for you to explore!

Eat Out To Help Out

This August look out for the new Eat Out to Help Out voucher scheme in participating, restaurants, cafes and pubs.
The scheme enables you to get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner). The scheme is valid every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 and 31 August and can be used as many times as you like.
Find out more about Dorset businesses participating in Eat Out To Help Out scheme.

Our towns - shop local

Own town centres and high streets are now open again and have preparations and signs in place to encourage social distancing to help you have an enjoyable experience when you visit us, read more in-depth information about visiting Dorset towns during the pandemic to help you plan your visit.

All businesses that plan to reopen or that have opened must follow and adhere to the government COVID-19 secure guidelines. Please look out for external and internal signage and follow the procedures that are put in place for each individual business, as guidance will vary.

As well as high street stores, we have some fantastic independant shops in our towns selling everything from local food and drink, arts and crafts, jewellery and vintage fashion so please support our local businesses and enjoy a great time shopping in Dorset.

Follow government guidance

Social distancing and hand washing remain the key two actions that can help protect everyone; and many businesses are providing extra hygiene COVID Secure protocols to help you stay safe. 

Please be sure to follow government guidance, respect any additional measures and follow the Covid-19 Visitor Charter.

If you feel unwell before your visit you must not travel and if you feel unwell whilst on holiday you must immediately order a test and inform your accommodation provider.

We are really looking forward to welcoming you back to Dorset but please make sure that you #PlanAhead and #RespectProtectEnjoy our beautiful county.